The Fostering Network: Finances

We have produced a list of key resources on this topic.

There are also related resources under Policy.

Fostering is a full-time job for foster carers because of the needs of the children they care for and the complexity of the foster carer's role in a large care team.

The Fostering Network campaigns for a fee structure that pays foster carers for their work and skills and includes realistic retainers between placements.

We also campaign for allowances for foster carers to be consistently above the minimum level recommended by us to cover essentials such as food and clothing for each fostered child. In 2006 the Government announced national minimum allowances which have come into effect in England from April 2007 but these still do not reach the minimum level recommended by the Fostering Network.

Carers may face other financial issues relating to tax, insurance, benefits and pocket money for children and young people in their care.

Useful links

Publications and resources from the Fostering Network

About the Fostering Network's recommended minimum allowances for fostering: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: December 2007; An introduction to the minimum allowances giving background on how they are calculated.; Price: Free; Full details…
Allowances and Income Tax: information for foster carers: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; A new revised edition of the Fostering Network's extremely popular guide as to which allowances and payments are taxable, plus advice on National Insurance and completing your tax form.; Code: 2008; Price: £2 members, £4 non-members; Full details…
Benefits: information for foster carers: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; This booklet provides clear and succinct information about the range of benefits and tax credits to which carers and looked after children and young people might be entitled.; Code: 2169; Price: £2 members, £4 non-members; Full details…
Foster care relief: Publisher: Inland Revenue; Date: 2003; Information sheet for foster carers about tax relief.; Price: Free to members; Full details…
The Fostering Network's survey of local authorities: foster care allowances in England August 2006: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2006; The annual survey of allowances for England in 2006-2007.; Price: Free; Full details…
The Fostering Network's survey of local authorities: foster care allowances in Scotland, August 2006: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2006; Annual survey of allowances for foster care in Scotland.; Price: Free; Full details…
The Fostering Network's survey of local authorities: foster care allowances in Wales, August 2006: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2006; Annual survey of allowances for foster care in Wales.; Price: Free; Full details…
Income tax, National Insurance, state pension, tax credits: understanding the issues, solving the problems: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; Powerpoint presentation on financial matters for foster carers at the Fostering Network annual conference 2007.; Price: Free; Full details…
Insurance and Foster Care: information for foster carers: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2008; This booklet offers helpful guidance on many aspects of insurance.; Code: 2011; Price: £2 members, £4 non-members; Full details…
Inter-agency fee for the sharing of task centred fostering placements: Author: London Regional Fostering and Adoption Group; Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2006; Gives information on the 2006 inter-agency fees.; Price: Free; Full details…
Lwfansau gofal maeth a thaliadau ffioedd ung Nghymru: Date: 2007; Arolwg Blynddol y Rhwydwaith Maethu o Lwfansau a Chynlluniau Talu Ffioedd 2007-8.; Price: Free; Full details…
Personal allowances for children and young people in foster care: information sheet: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: c2000; Information sheet about personal allowances including pocket money for children and young people in care.; Price: Free to members; Full details…
Recommended minimum allowances: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; These are the current recommended minimum allowances for 2007-2008 for the Fostering Network.; Price: Free; Full details…
Survey of allowances and fee payment schemes 2007-08: recommended minimum allowances: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; 2007-08 survey of allowances from the Fostering Network.; Price: Free; Full details…
Survey of allowances and specialist payment schemes 2006-07 and recommended minimum allowances 2006-07: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2006; The Fostering Network UK survey of allowances.; Price: Free; Full details…