How much do foster carers get paid?
Using our fostering allowance calculator, you can find out how much you could be paid as a foster carer.
Fostering allowance calculator
Information on foster carer pay and benefits.
The rewards that come exclusively with fostering are priceless, but we understand it’s important that foster carers are recompensated with financial benefits too. So alongside our unrivalled training and support, we offer a competitive fostering allowance.
A competitive allowance is rewarded to you as a foster carer for your valued work and for supporting the children in your care. We also offer payments for festivities, birthdays and holidays.
The fostering allowance covers the costs of looking after a child, including household expenses, food, clothing, pocket money etc. The allowance is also there to reimburse you for your time and care and to reward you for providing a loving, stable and nurturing home for a child.
The amount of the fostering allowance is determined by a variety of circumstances. Such as the age and the specific needs of the children you care for, the type of fostering and your skills and experience. As you acquire knowledge, skills and confidence as a carer, you may decide to provide therapeutic care for a child or young person. This will require further development and support towards the child and therefore increases your fostering allowance.
Using our fostering allowance calculator, you can find out how much you could be paid as a foster carer.
Fostering allowance calculator
Here at Nexus Fostering, we value our foster carers and offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our package.
Dedicated local social work team and support workers, available 24/7, 365 days a year to support you
Foster carer support groups
A mentor scheme to support you during your fostering journey
Therapeutic training and matching sessions during assessment period.
Mileage paid over 210 miles per week per child
Cost of living support and access to exclusive rewards platform with 1000's high street discounts.
Yes! Many mortgage lenders allow you to use all of your fostering income, and there are even some specialist mortgage lenders/products specifically for foster carers.
Having debt would not automatically preclude you from fostering. Everyone’s circumstances are different so this would be discussed during the fostering assessment and approval process. If you would like to foster but are worried your debt may affect your eligibility, don’t let this put you off. You are welcome to contact us for a fully confidential and informal discussion to get more information.
Yes, living in affordable housing will not prohibit you from applying to foster.
Generally, the foster allowance is paid based on the number of individual children or young people you are caring for.
For 10 years, Chris and Angela had dreamed about fostering, but it wasn’t until their children were older that they finally took the leap. The inspiration came from Angela's parents, who were fostering twins long-term at the time. Watching the profound impact her parents had on those children ignited a spark in their heart.
Gina, 54, had previously had a career in social services, spanning over 20 years, working with adults with learning disabilities. With Gina’s experience, they knew they were equipped for therapeutic fostering. Over the 3 years, Gina and Michael have supported 3 teenage girls, now aged 13,16 and 18 years old.
The couple received a card from their child and explains "they thanked us for all the new experiences, said we have changed their life for the better and that they are looking forward to new adventures in the future. That speaks volumes".
Children and young people come from different backgrounds, which is why we require foster carers who represent the diversity of today's society. Regardless of your sexuality, marital and relationship status, and whether you have children. You can foster.
Nexus Fostering is a fostering agency like no other. We believe all children and young people deserve a chance to live in a family setting, and we are proud that our foster carers and young people will always be our top priority.
Foster care is needed to give vulnerable children and young people a safe, caring home environment while they cannot live with their birth family. Becoming a foster carer is essential to enable these children to grow and flourish into independent, well-rounded adults.
