Foster Parents Pay UK – Understanding Foster Care Allowances & Payments 

How much do foster parents get paid? The reality is that foster care payments vary widely across the country, creating a postcode lottery in which some foster carers receive significantly more financial support than others. 

Foster care pay often consists of two main elements: 

1. Foster Care Allowances. These payments cover the cost of caring for a child, such as food, clothing and transport. 

2. Foster Carer Fees. These are professional payments made to foster parents in recognition of their time, skills and dedication. 

At Mosaic, these payments are combined into one. But it isn’t all about the money. 

Unlike traditional employment, fostering payments aren’t standardised, meaning comparisons between local authorities and independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are not always useful. 

Some fostering services offer higher weekly payments but less support, while others provide comprehensive support packages that include therapeutic services, training and additional allowances. 

This blog breaks down foster parent pay in the UK, including what you can expect, how payments differ and why fostering should be seen as a financially sustainable, professional role. 

How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid in the UK? 

There is no fixed national rate for foster parents’ pay. The UK government sets a minimum fostering allowance but it is up to local authorities and fostering agencies to determine how much they pay in addition to this. 

What Are the National Minimum Foster Care Allowances? 

The government sets minimum allowances to cover the cost of caring for a child, but these payments do not include professional fees for foster carers. As of 2024, the minimum weekly fostering allowance in England is: 

• £154 – £270 per child per week, depending on age and region. 

However, the Fostering Network found some local authorities pay as little as £18 per week in fees to their lowest-paid foster carers, while others pay up to £750 per week. This huge discrepancy makes fostering financially unsustainable for many carers, particularly those new to fostering or those living in areas with lower fees. 

How Much Does Mosaic Foster Care Pay? 

At Mosaic Foster Care, we believe foster parents should be fairly compensated for their skills and the life-changing work they do. That’s why we offer: 

• ✔️ £600 per week minimum, increasing to £700+ per week after completing training. This usually happens before a foster parent welcomes their first child or young person into their home. 
  
• ✔️ Full payments for each additional child in placement, meaning families fostering multiple children can earn more than £2,100 per week. 
  
• ✔️ Up to three weeks of supportive foster care (respite care) annually.
   
• ✔️ Unused respite payments, ensuring carers don’t lose out if they don’t take time off. 
  
• ✔️ Therapeutic support through our SMILE framework, offering immediate interventions for both foster parents and children. 

Unlike some agencies that deduct support services from payments, Mosaic ensures training, therapy and additional support are all fully funded so foster carers can focus on what matters most – providing a stable, nurturing home for children. 

Foster Parents Pay UK: Why They Vary Across the UK 

The Fostering Network’s recent report highlights that foster carers’ fees are highly inconsistent, with: 

• Some foster carers receiving fees as low as £18 per week. 

• Huge regional disparities – carers in one area can receive £38,000 per year more than those in another. 

• Fees increasing for those with more experience or qualifications, leaving new carers financially vulnerable. 

At Mosaic Foster Care, we take a different approach. Instead of basing fees solely on experience, we ensure all our foster parents receive a financially sustainable payment package from the start. 

✔️ Career-focused fostering: We support foster parents who see fostering as a long-term, full-time commitment, not just an additional source of income.

✔️ Fair pay from the outset – new foster carers should not have to struggle financially before gaining experience. 

✔️ A structured financial model - unlike some fostering agencies, which require carers to pay for their own support or training, we provide fully funded training, therapy, and respite care. 

Apples to Oranges: Why It’s Hard to Compare Foster Care Pay 

Many fostering agencies advertise higher rates, but the amount included in those payments varies significantly. Some agencies: 

❌ Deduct money for training and additional support services. 

❌ Offer higher base rates but less access to therapeutic support. 

❌ Provide lower base payments but extra allowances for complex placements. 

This is why it’s essential to look beyond weekly payment figures and consider: 

• What’s included in the financial package (training, respite, therapy and ongoing support). 

• Whether payments are guaranteed all year round. 

• The level of professional development available. 

Long-Term Fostering vs Short-Term Fostering – How Foster Placement Stability Affects Income 

When considering foster parents’ pay in the UK, one of the most overlooked factors is the stability of placements. The type of fostering you choose – long-term or short-term – can have a significant impact on your financial stability. 

Short-term fostering placements are often unpredictable, and this can directly affect your income security. Here’s why: 

✔️ Frequent placement changes – short-term foster carers may have a child placed with them for a few days, weeks or months, after which they could experience a gap before their next placement. 

✔️ No guaranteed continuity – once a child leaves, there’s no set timeline for when another child will be placed, meaning carers may go weeks or even months without an income. 

✔️ Income gaps – many fostering agencies only pay foster carers when they have a child placed, so short-term carers often experience financial uncertainty between placements. 

✔️ Higher placement breakdown rates – if a placement breaks down unexpectedly, foster carers can be left without a child and without an income until a new match is found. 

While short-term fostering may suit some families, the financial risks can make it less sustainable as a full-time role. 

The Financial Stability of Long-Term Fostering 

Long-term fostering provides greater security for both the child and the foster carer. It allows foster parents to build strong relationships while benefiting from consistent financial stability. 

Here’s why long-term fostering offers a more reliable income: 

✔️ Stable placements = stable Income – with a long-term placement, foster parents receive a steady weekly payment for months or years, rather than experiencing gaps between placements. 

✔️ Lower placement breakdown risk – Mosaic Foster Care has one of the highest placement stability rates in the sector because of the specialist therapeutic support we offer. This means fewer disruptions for the child and fewer income disruptions for foster parents. 

✔️ Financial planning becomes easier – unlike short-term fostering, where income fluctuates, long-term fostering allows carers to budget and plan their finances with confidence. 

✔️ Consistent support and training – at Mosaic, we provide ongoing support and therapeutic services, ensuring long-term carers feel equipped and financially secure in their role. 

Why Placement Stability Should Matter When Choosing a Fostering Agency 

Many prospective foster parents focus on weekly pay rates, but a key question to ask is how often placements break down. 

Some fostering agencies advertise high pay rates but if children’s placements frequently break down or children are moved elsewhere, carers may find themselves without a child – and without income – far more often than expected. Before joining us at Mosaic, our foster children experienced an average of at least three prior placement breakdowns. This highlights the need for the right match and consistent support to ensure placements succeed. To further support our carers, we pay a retainer of £250 per week for up to 6 weeks should a foster placement end, provided the child was placed for at least 6 months. 

When choosing a fostering agency, it’s important to ask: 

✔️ What are your placement breakdown rates?

✔️ What support do you offer to prevent placement disruptions? 

✔️ How long do placements typically last? 

✔️ Will I be paid if I am between placements? 

At Mosaic Foster Care, we specialise in long-term, stable placements, ensuring our foster parents have financial security and a consistent income.  

Unlike some agencies where foster carers experience long waiting periods between placements, our high success rate in matching children to the right homes means our carers enjoy steady, sustainable income throughout their fostering journey. 

Financial Sustainability: Why Fees Need to Be Fair 

Foster carers provide 24/7 care, emotional support and advocacy for children. Despite this, fostering remains one of the few caring roles in the UK with no national pay standard. 

Most foster parents do not work alongside fostering, with around 60 per cent of them in England, Scotland, and Wales doing it on a full-time basis. 

That means fees must be high enough to support a household but many fostering services pay below the National Living Wage. Without fair fees, many potential foster carers cannot afford to foster, limiting recruitment and retention. 

Foster Parents Pay UK: What Needs to Change? 

The Fostering Network is calling for: 

• A national recommended foster carer fee to ensure consistent, fair pay across the UK. 

• 52-week payments, so foster carers are financially secure even when waiting for placements. 

• Transparency in payment structures, so foster carers understand what they are being paid for. 

At Mosaic Foster Care, we support these recommendations and ensure our foster parents are paid fairly for the vital role they play. 

Choosing the Right Fostering Agency for Financial Stability 

If you’re considering fostering, it’s important to look beyond the numbers and understand: 

✔️ What’s included in the financial package. 

✔️ If the agency provides additional support, training and therapy. 

✔️ If payments are structured to ensure financial stability. 

At Mosaic Foster Care, we are committed to offering a financially sustainable, well-supported fostering experience. We provide: 
💷 Weekly payments starting at £600+. 
🏡 A structured, career-focused model of fostering. 
💡 Full therapeutic support and training at no extra cost. 

📖 Read the Fostering Network’s report on fostering pay here. 

📞 Want to learn more about fostering with Mosaic? Speak to our team today