Payments and allowances
We offer generous and competitive foster care payments when looking after a child. Payments to foster carers are made on weekly basis.
Our fostering payments have 2 parts:
- maintenance payment – to cover the cost of caring for a child or young person
- reward payment – for the foster carer, as a fee paid for their work
In addition, our foster carers who live in Thurrock are exempt from paying council tax – this is an exclusive benefit for foster carers who foster with Thurrock Council.
The weekly payment amount will depend on the age of the child and the type of foster care you provide. For example, a higher amount is paid if a child has complex or high needs. Find out more about the different types of foster care.
The amounts below apply from 1 April 2023. These amounts were set in September 2023. Payments to carers will be back-dated where necessary.
Care Skills payments
Care Skills is our standard rate of payment for foster care.
| Child's age, in years | Total weekly payment | Total annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | £382 | £19,918.57 |
| 5 to 10 | £403 | £21,013.57 |
| 11 to 15 | £432 | £22,525.71 |
| 16 or over | £470 | £24,507.14 |
As a Care Skills foster carer, your reward payment is £200 each week – that's £10,428.57 for you personally if you foster for a full year.
Care Skills+
Care Skills+ is our rate for looking after a child or young person with more complex needs.
| Child's age, in years | Total weekly payment | Total annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | £432 | £22,525.71 |
| 5 to 10 | £453 | £23,620.71 |
| 11 to 15 | £482 | £25,132.86 |
| 16 or over | £520 | £27,114.29 |
As a Care Skills+ foster carer, your reward payment is £250 each week – that's £13,035.71 for you personally if you foster for a full year.
High Need Rate
High Need Rate is paid in exceptional circumstances to carers who look after a child and young person with the highest needs.
| Child's age, in years | Total weekly payment | Total annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | £532 | £27,740.00 |
| 5 to 10 | £553 | £28,835.00 |
| 11 to 15 | £582 | £30,347.14 |
| 16 or over | £620 | £32,328.57 |
As a High Need Rate foster carer, your reward payment is £300 each week – that's £15,642.86 for you personally if you foster for a full year.
More information
You can get information on foster carers' tax, benefits and pensions at GOV.UK: foster carers and The Fostering Network.
You can use the form below to let us know if you're interested in fostering.