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Fostering payments and benefits

1.What you can earn as a foster carer

On this page:

    How fostering pay works

    We believe foster carers should feel financially supported to provide a safe, stable and caring home for a child. That's why we offer one of the most competitive fostering payment packages in the region.

    When you foster with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, you'll receive a weekly payment for each child in your care. This includes:

    • an allowance to help cover the child's everyday needs
    • a fostering fee, paid to you in recognition of your time, skills and commitment.

    You may also receive additional payments throughout the year, as well as access to training, wellbeing support and a range of foster carer benefits.

    Find out more about:

    Find out how much you could earn

    As you gain experience and complete training, you'll progress through our skill levels and increase your fostering fee, with support from us every step of the way.

    The following table shows what you could receive per week, per child as you develop your skills. These weekly payments are made up of the child's allowance, and your fostering fee:

    Age Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
    0-4 £286.50 £316.50 £361.50
    5-10 £313.80 £343.80 £388.80
    11-15 £368.60 £398.60 £443.60
    16+ £428.90 £458.90 £503.90
    Please note:

    All figures relate to mainstream foster care payments.

    Not sure which skill level you'd be on?

    Take a look at the levels below, or get in touch and we'll talk through your experience, training and current role to help you understand which skill level you're likely to join at:

    Payment examples

    The following examples show what your salary could look like, including extra payments:

    Please note: these figures are for illustration purposes only.

    Getting paid

    To help you plan your finances, we process fees and allowances every Wednesday and these are normally paid two weeks later, directly into your bank account or building society account.

    This provides a regular and predictable income while you care for a child.

    Tax and National Insurance

    All foster carers must register as self-employed with HMRC.

    For most carers:

    • Fostering income is covered by specialist tax relief
    • It does not affect state benefits
    • You may still be eligible for Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.

    Find out more from:

    Got a question?

    If you’d like to understand the full financial package or explore whether fostering could work for you, we’d love to speak with you:

    Get in touch with our friendly team
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    Example 1 - £17,734 per year equivalent

    Susan is a new foster carer. She is a level one carer and looks after Oscar, aged 3.

    Susan receives a weekly payment of £286.50.

    The additional payments for holidays and birthdays, alongside an annual ‘loyalty bonus’ equates to an additional £29.92 per week.

    So, overall Susan will receive £16,454.00 per year, tax free, which is roughly equivalent to an annual taxable salary of £17,734 per year.

    Example 2 - £34,635 per year equivalent

    Tony has been fostering for 8 years and is a level three carer. He looks after Cody, aged 16.

    Tony receives a weekly payment of £503.90.

    This means Tony receives £28,628.40 per year including his additional payments and loyalty bonus, which is roughly equivalent to an annual taxable salary of £34,635 per year.

    Example 3 - £95,355 per year equivalent

    Jessica has been fostering for three years and is a level two carer. Jessica fosters a sibling group of three girls, Chloe, aged 6 years, Gracie, aged 11 and Evie, aged 15.

    Jessica receives a weekly payment of £1,186.

    With a loyalty bonus, and additional payments for holiday and birthday, Jessica will receive £66,826 per year, which is roughly equivalent to an annual taxable salary of £95,355 per year.

    A weekly allowance

    To cover the child's everyday costs

    This weekly allowance helps cover the cost of caring for a child, including:

    • food
    • clothing and shoes
    • utility bills
    • toiletries
    • school items
    • hobbies and activities
    • pocket money
    • trips and celebrations.

    The amount depends on:

    A fostering fee

    Paid to you for your time, skills and commitment

    The fostering fee recognises you as a trained and skilled carer.

    It reflects:

    • your experience
    • your training
    • the level of care you provide.

    As you complete training and gain experience, your fee increases inline with your skill level.

    Read more about skill levels.

    Level 1 – New to fostering

    If you’re just starting your fostering journey, this is your entry level.

    At Level 1, you will:

    • complete core training
    • build your confidence
    • be supported by your supervising social worker
    • complete a workbook within your first year to maintain Level 1.

    Most carers progress to Level 2 within two years.

    Level 2 – Developing skills

    At this level, you will:

    • have gained experience
    • completed additional training
    • feel more confident managing day-to-day challenges
    • support a wider range of children’s needs.

    Level 3 – Experienced and specialist

    At Level 3, you:

    • care for children with more complex needs
    • use specialist training and experience
    • support and mentor newer foster carers
    • contribute to shaping the fostering service.

    Transferring from another agency?

    If you're moving from another fostering service, we'll assess your experience individually and place you at the appropriate level.

    Calculate fostering payments

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