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Fostering information

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Fostering allowances and financial support

North Lincolnshire Council understands that everyone’s financial situation is different, so we don’t want you to rule yourself out based on finances. It’s important that you want to foster for the right reasons, but we know that financial stability and the cost of bills can be a worry for many households. That’s why we are proud that our financial package to foster carers is very competitive, including when compared to independent fostering agencies.

How it works?

A weekly allowance is paid to foster carers to cover the cost of caring for the child, such as food shopping, utility bills, clothing and pocket money. The amount varies depending on the age and needs of each child.

Allowance levels

Level one – Paid to newly approved foster carers who have yet to complete the mandatory training courses and Training and Development Standards workbook (TSDs). Upon completing the mandatory training programme, level two allowance will be paid.

Level two – Approved foster carers receive a fee in addition to the level one fostering allowance. This fee is in recognition of completion of mandatory training courses and satisfactory completion of the TSDs.

Example one

Boy making a sandcastle on the beach

John and Paul are new foster carers in their first year (level one foster carers). They care for Harry, aged six months. They receive a weekly payment of £176.

Additional payments throughout the year for birthday, festival and holiday allowances equates to an additional weekly payment of £16.90.

John and Paul live in a house that is in council tax band A. Since they foster Harry on a full-time basis, they receive a 100% rebate of £124.34 a month.

So, overall, John and Paul receive £11,522.88 annually.

Example two

Graphic of 2 girls styling their hair in their bedroom

Katy has been a foster carer for two years (level two carer). She cares for Abigail, aged 16 years old. Abigail has additional needs and requires more care and support; therefore, Katy receives a weekly payment of £348 plus a specialist fee of an additional £200 a week.

Additional payments throughout the year for birthday, festival and holiday allowances equates to an additional weekly payment of £25.69.

Katy lives in a house that is in council tax band C. Since she fosters Abigail on a long-term, full-time basis, she receives a 100% council tax rebate of £165.78 a month.

So, overall, Katy receives £31,821.24 annually.

Example three

Cartoon of young boy sat on a bed playing a computer game

Helen and Terry have been foster carers for two years (level two carers). They care for a sibling group of three; Layla (16), Reece (11) and Amelia (7). Helen and Terry receive a weekly payment of £866. Reece and Ameilia have some extra care needs, so an additional £40 a week is paid for this. They also receive an extra £10 a week because they care for more than two children. This totals £916 a week.

Additional payments throughout the year for birthday, festival and holiday allowances equates to an additional weekly payment of £87.12.

Helen and Terry live in a house that is in council tax band E. Since they foster the children on a long-term, full-time basis, they receive a 100% council tax rebate of £227.95 a month.

So, overall, Helen and Terry receive £54,897.40 annually.

Contact

fostering@northlincs.gov.uk

01724 297000

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