Training and financial support for foster/kinship foster carers
If you're a foster/kinship foster carer, you can get help, training and financial support. This includes an allowance to cover costs, tax relief and help getting a State Pension. Social workers also visit to support you and the foster child.
Support and training for foster carers
All foster/kinship foster carers are reviewed every year.
All foster/kinship foster carers get training to help them continue to offer the care and support needed by the children they are caring for.
Their own supervising social worker will contact and visit them. The child's social worker will also visit.
They can give advice and support.
Other support provided to Health and Social Care (HSC) foster/kinship foster carers:
- access to 24 hour fostering social work support
- support groups – many foster carers meet together in a support group with the help of their supervising social worker
- short breaks (previously called respite) – Trusts can provide foster carers/children in foster care with short breaks when needed and when this is in keeping with the child's needs
- access to education support, specialist social work support and psychological support
Support for foster carers outside office hours
When the office is closed, HSC foster carers can contact the Regional Emergency Social Work Service:
- telephone 028 9504 9999
Allowance for foster carers
All foster/kinship carers get an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child in their home. Some foster carers also receive a fee because they have certain knowledge and skills.
Financial support is also available to people supporting young people aged between 18 and 21 years old in:
- education
- training
- employment
- other initiatives
Foster Care Allowance amounts
From 1 April 2024
| Age | Per week | Per four weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | £149 | £596 |
| 5 to 10 | £166 | £664 |
| 11 to 15 | £187 | £748 |
| 16 and over | £219 | £876 |
These allowances include provision for the following:
- food (including school meals) - 40 per cent
- household costs - 25 per cent
- clothing and footwear - 18 per cent
- pocket money - 10 per cent
- travel costs - seven per cent
Foster carers are free to spend food, household and travel allowances as they feel benefits the child most.
Carers receive additional payments for other essential items for birthdays and Christmas.
Foster carers and getting a pension
To find out if you qualify for National Insurance credits, go to:
If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, new State Pension replaces basic State Pension and additional State Pension.