Money Matters
We know money matters for our incredible fostering families. That’s why we pay each foster carer a competitive fee to thank them for their hard work.
Although money might not be your first concern, it is important that you understand the fees and allowances in order to decide if fostering is affordable for your family.
Fostering Fees & Allowances
Each foster carer payment is split into two parts, the fostering fee and the fostering allowance.
What is the fostering fee?
The fostering fee is determined by your skills and qualifications, and will rise as you develop as a carer.
What is the fostering allowance?
The fostering allowance is paid to cover any expenses your foster child may have, including clothing, pocket money and days out. The amount of allowance you’ll receive depends on how many children you care for and their ages.
12 Week Retainer Payments In Between Placements
On the very rare occasion that there are short periods between placements, we pay all our full-time foster carers a retainer fee payment for up to 12 weeks (full fee for weeks 1-6 and 50% for weeks 7-12).
This support is put in place for all carers after their first placement.
Additional Allowances
As a new foster carer, you will also receive additional financial allowances to purchase any essential equipment, including bedroom furniture, safety gates and car seats.
If you foster full-time, you’ll also receive additional allowances to pay for summer holidays (paid in June), birthdays (paid on the nearest pay date to your foster child’s birthday) and religious holidays (paid in November).
As you progress through our training programmes, your pay will increase to recognise your newly gained knowledge. We operate a transparent pay structure to help you plan your long-term finances.
Already foster with another agency? You may be able to start your Foster for Bradford journey as a Level 2 or Level 3 carer. Please visit our Transfer To Us page for more information.
"Fostering is the best job you can have, but it is so much more than a job"
Kal and Ash, foster carers
Self Employment
Self Employment
All foster carers are classed as self employed, which means you will need to fill in a tax return each year.
We provide dedicated resources to help make your tax return as easy as possible. You'll also be entitled to apply for state benefits, as your fostering allowance is not included in any Universal Credit decisions.
Tax Allowances
To acknowledge the great work foster carers do, the UK government runs several tax relief schemes to reduce the amount of tax you pay on your fostering earnings.
Once you become an approved foster carer, you’ll also receive access to several fostering communities who provide easy to understand resources and advice so you can complete your tax return.
Annual Leave
You deserve time off. That's why all our carers receive annual leave, should they wish to take it. During this time, your foster child will be placed with other carers.
Regular Payments
So you can plan your finances, we pay your fees and allowances every 2 weeks, directly into your bank or building society account.
Part-time foster carers are also paid a fostering fee and an allowance for each child they look after, but these are paid as a daily payment for each session that they are with you.
All payments are paid every two weeks in arrears.