A breakdown of fostering payments

What payments might I receive as a foster carer for East Riding of Yorkshire Council?

You will receive an allowance for each child that is placed with you as soon as you are approved to foster with us. The amount of the allowance depends on the age of the child/children. As your progress through training and become a band one carer you will also receive an additional banding payment per week per child. Read more about banding.

Here are some examples of payments you could expect to receive:

Siblings aged three and six for a newly-approved foster carer

• Weekly total £342.04 for both children
• Three-year-old £159.89 and £182.15 for a six-year-old.

Children under four - for a band two foster carer

• Weekly total £216.23
• £159.89 allowance plus banding payment of £62.78.

Teenager aged 16 - for a band two foster carer

• Weekly total £394.13
• £275.79 allowance plus banding payment of £62.78 and additional teenage allowance of £55.56.
• In addition, you will receive an annual loyalty payment of £410, payable after each yearly review.

How do banding levels work?

We have two 'band levels', with band two being the most skilled. 

All foster carers are expected to complete a work book within their first year of becoming approved as a foster carer, this is a national minimum requirement. Whilst completing the workbook foster carers receive a fostering allowance, then on completion of the workbook they move onto band one and receive an additional weekly payment per week per child. 

Foster carers can then, if they wish, progress onto band two through completing additional training and gaining new skills whilst they are fostering. Contact our fostering team for more information about the courses we offer to progress from your current band to a higher band. 

Take a look at the current banding payments.

Do I receive payments if I'm caring for the child of a family member or friend?

If you have become a foster carer for a relative’s child, for example if you are a grandparent or close friend, you will receive the same allowances and support as our other foster carers. 

See how much current  fostering allowances and payments are.

Are there any extra payments to help with holidays, birthdays, clothing etc?

We also pay additional one off payments throughout the year including a holiday allowance in the summer to allow you to take a foster child away on holiday, a birthday allowance to cover the costs of a birthday party and presents for a foster child and a Christmas allowance paid in December.

We can also pay an equipment allowance when you first start fostering, clothing allowances when a foster child first arrives with you and mileage for exceptional journeys outside regular day-to-day travel, but decisions about these allowances are made on a case-by-case basis. 

Will I get payments to help with short emergency foster placements?

For example, if your weekly fostering allowance was £139, but the child only stayed with you for one day, you would receive one seventh of this amount -  plus one seventh of the banding payment or teenage allowance if this applies.

In addition, you will receive an annual loyalty payment of £410, payable after each yearly review.

When and how are payments made?

We process payments on a Wednesday and they are normally paid into your bank two weeks later.

Extra payments and allowances (for birthdays, holidays, special mileage etc) are normally paid within 14 calendar days upon receipt of all the necessary paperwork.

More advice on payments will be given by your fostering social worker. 

How do I process my payments?

Fostering placement payments are made automatically through our fostering duty team. Fostering social workers explain how to claim for any additional payments when you become approved.  

Why have my fostering payments stopped?

We may not have received the paperwork from children's services to continue paying you. Please contact the fostering team if you have any problems.

Will my fostering allowance affect my tax or benefits?

Fostering fees and allowances do not count as an income for tax and benefit purposes, therefore don’t affect any benefit entitlement. Full time foster carers may be able to claim a combination of working tax credits, job seekers allowance and/or income support (plus other benefits they may be entitled to) depending on their individual circumstances. 

Read more about tax and how you may have to register to become self employed at:

The Fostering Network - Tax and national insurance (external website)

HM Revenue & Customs (external website)