Training and financial support for foster carers
A variety of practical and financial support will be made available to you if you become a foster carer. This includes an allowance to cover costs, tax relief and help getting a State Pension.
Support and training
All foster carers are reviewed every year and receive any training that is needed to ensure they can continue fostering. They get regular visits from their own supervising social worker who can offer advice and support.
Other Support provided to HSC Foster Carers:
- access to 24 hr fostering social work support
- support groups – many foster carers meet together in a support group with the assistance of their supervising social worker
- respite – The Trusts can provide foster carers with respite when needed
- access to addition support including education support, specialist social work support and psychological support
Support and training is also available through the Fostering Achievement Initiative. This gives foster carers help with the educational needs of the children they are caring for. This includes credits to provide equipment and tuition for children and to help develop the carer's own knowledge and skills.
Helpline for HSC Carers
Outside office hours, there is a dedicated Freephone Helpline for HSC foster carers across NI who need support or advice from a fostering social worker. During office hours this line is also used as an information line for any potential foster carers who are unsure of which Trust to contact. The Freephone number is 0800 0720 137.
Do foster carers get paid?
All foster carers get an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child in their home and some may also get paid in recognition of their skills, commitment or time.
Financial support is also available to people who continue to support young people aged 18-21 years who are in education, training, employment or other initiatives.
Foster Care Allowances
From 1 April 2011
| Age Group | Per Week | Per 4 Weeks | Per Annum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | £114.03 | £456.12 | £5,929.56 |
| 5 - 10 | £126.00 | £504.00 | £6,552.00 |
| 11 - 15 | £145.04 | £580.16 | £7,542.08 |
| 16+ | £168.00 | £672.00 | £8,736.00 |
These allowances include provision for food (including school meals), household costs, clothing and footwear, pocket money and travel costs. These figures are subject to change.
Do foster carers pay Income Tax?
Many foster carers now pay no tax on the money they earn from fostering. Foster carers can be exempt from tax on all or most of their fostering income depending on:
- how many children they look after
- whether or not it is a full tax year
- whether or not there are other foster carers in the same household
There is a fixed tax exemption of up to £10,000 per year (less if for a shorter period) which is shared equally among any foster carers in the same household. After that, foster carers get tax relief for every week (or part week) that a child is in their care.
For every week (or part week) that a child aged 11 or older is with them, the foster carer's tax relief is £250 per child. For every week (or part week) that a child aged under 11 is in their care, the tax relief is £200 per child.
Do foster carers get a pension?
Between April 2003 and April 2010, foster carers were entitled to Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), which helped them to get a basic State Pension. This is because opportunities for foster carers to do paid work are limited while they are foster caring.
HRP has now been replaced by weekly credits for parents and carers (including foster carers). These will count for both basic State Pension and additional State Pension. If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010, any years of Home Responsibilities Protection you received will be converted to credits.
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