Aldershot Open Day
7 March 2026
For many people thinking about fostering, one of the biggest unspoken questions is this: what is the money like for a foster carer?
It is a perfectly reasonable question. Fostering is a life changing commitment that asks a lot of your time, energy and heart. It is natural to wonder how it works financially, especially if you are stepping back from other work or considering how fostering would fit alongside your current income.
At Step by Step, we believe in being open, honest and empowering. Here is a clear guide to fostering allowances, how payments work, and what financial support looks like when you foster with us.
Fostering is about care, not cash, but that does not mean finances do not matter. In fact, we actively encourage potential carers to ask about money. Here is why:
It helps you make an informed, confident decision
It allows you to plan for the long term
It removes stigma around asking practical, responsible questions
Financial stability helps create a secure and nurturing home. You deserve to feel supported emotionally and financially if you are considering becoming a foster carer.
Foster carers do not receive a traditional salary. Instead, they are paid a weekly fostering allowance, usually per child, per week. This allowance is designed to cover the everyday costs of caring for a child or young person, while also recognising the time, commitment and skills involved in fostering.
Fostering allowances are intended to cover costs such as:
Food and household items
Clothing and footwear
Transport and activities
School related costs
Additional household expenses
In some cases, the allowance may also include a professional or skills based element. This can reflect a foster carer’s experience, training, or the type of placement they provide.
When it comes to fostering, there is no single fixed fee. The amount you receive depends on several factors, including:
The child’s individual needs
The type of fostering placement
The level of care and support required
Your experience, training and skill set
While a child’s age can influence the cost of care, it is only one factor. Allowances are agreed on an individual basis and are always set according to what each child needs to feel safe, supported and cared for.
One of the most common questions is, “How much do foster carers get paid per week in the UK?”
At Step by Step Fostering, allowances are typically:
Standard fostering placements: upwards of £400 per child, per week
Higher needs or specialist placements: may be higher, reflecting the additional level of care and support involved
These figures are agreed on a case by case basis. Actual fostering allowances vary depending on the needs of the child, the type of placement and individual circumstances.
The allowance is intended to cover the day to day living costs for the child and may include a professional element in recognition of your role.
Understanding what fostering involves helps explain how allowances are structured.
Foster carers look after children as part of everyday family life. This may include:
Providing a safe and nurturing home
Supporting routines such as school, meals and bedtime
Attending meetings and appointments
Working closely with social workers and other professionals
Offering emotional reassurance, boundaries and consistency
Children may stay with foster carers for a short period or longer term, depending on their situation and needs. The level of support required can influence the allowance agreed.
Another key question is whether foster carers pay tax on their income.
Many foster carers in the UK benefit from special tax arrangements known as Qualifying Care Relief. Depending on your circumstances, this can mean that some or all of your fostering income is tax free.
Under current HMRC guidance, foster carers do not pay tax on a fixed annual threshold plus a weekly amount per child. For many carers, this results in little or no tax being due on fostering income.
Because tax and benefits situations vary, we recommend:
Speaking directly with HMRC
Seeking advice from a qualified financial adviser
Discussing your individual circumstances with our team before applying
You can find detailed guidance on the HMRC website and additional advice from The Fostering Network regarding tax and benefits for foster carers.
When you foster with Step by Step, you are not on your own.
Foster carers receive:
Training and preparation before welcoming a child
Regular supervision and guidance
Ongoing support from a dedicated team
Access to advice and help whenever it is needed
Our role is to support both you and the children in your care, every step of the way. Fostering is a shared commitment, and we stand alongside you throughout the journey.
Fostering is about providing care, stability and support as part of family life. It is a different commitment to offering accommodation alone and involves playing a central role in a child’s day to day wellbeing.
If you are asking what the money is like for a foster carer, it is likely that you are seriously considering whether this could be right for you.
If you would like to understand more about fostering allowances, expectations and next steps, we are here to help.
There’s no pressure, no obligation, just honest conversations. Because behind every hero is someone who cares. And that someone could be you.
We're excited to announce a new partnership with Citizens Advice Rushmoor, bringing specialist advice directly to young people using our Launch service. This partnership removes the need for young people to navigate multiple agencies and ensures they can access the right help at the right time, in a familiar and trusted environment.
