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Foster Carer Pay, Allowances & Benefits
Pay and benefits for Foster Carers.
Opening up your hearts and home to foster a child is a great and truly rewarding experience. You get to be part of a child's journey, creating memories in their own life story and changing their life for the better.
We recognise that making the decision to foster will allow you to make a great difference to young people who deserve a home while we support you 24/7. We understand fostering can be demanding at times and requires a full-time commitment, which is why we pay our foster carers a generous fostering allowance that helps to support the foster child while also acting as a reward for the carer, allowing them to focus on providing the best possible care to their foster child.
What will the allowance cover?
Your fostering allowance is two payments in one. One part covers your foster child(ren)'s living expenses, such as food, clothing, school uniform, school day trips, toiletries, entertainment costs and savings. It should also cover expenses such as heating and lighting. Your Empower Fostering social worker will explain this in more detail, but to reassure you, you will receive a generous fee whilst fostering with Empower Fostering.
Do I have to pay Tax and NI when I foster?
All foster carers are classed as self-employed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and you'll earn weekly fostering allowance for each child or young person you look after. So when you become a Foster Carer, one of your first jobs will be registering yourself as 'self-employed'.
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Once you're registered, you are automatically registered for Class 2 National Insurance Contributions.
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The HMRC holds regular 'webinars' to explain tax and NI contributions for Foster Carers, which are popular and useful. They are easy to understand and will explain everything clearly. You can sign up to as many webinars as you wish and there is a support service for any questions.
How much do Foster Carers get paid?
Newly Approved Foster Carer
Up to £470 per week
Experienced Specialist Foster Carer with all training
Up to £742 per week
Parent & Child Placement
Up to £848 per week
Sibling Group
Up to £900 per week
Tax Benefits
Foster Carers are often exempt from paying income tax on their fostering allowance in accordance with the government's Qualifying Care Relief.
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Click here to find out more.
Qualifying amounts
Part 1
A tax exemption of up to £18,140 per household each year.
Part 2
A weekly amount for each cared for child or adult.
£375 per child for children under 11.
£450 for children aged 11 or over.
Change your career. Change your lifestyle. Change a life.
Foster with Empower Fostering, part of the Empower Family Group.
Why choose Empower Fostering?
You have the drive and commitment to change lives. We'll provide the practical support to help you achieve that.
Foster with us and you'll receive the following:
Support - We're here, by your side, with unrivaled support, available 24/7, 365 days a year. With support hubs so you can connect with other Foster Carers as part of our Empower Fostering Family.
Career - Enjoy a rewarding career whilst changing a child or young persons life. ​
Income - You will receive a competitve weekly fostering allowance, tax exemption and tax relief.
Training - Comprehensive, ongoing training to support the challenges and success of fostering. With access to Diplomas and NVQ Qualifications.
Community - We host multiple events, support groups and fun activities throughout the year as part of our fostering family.
Holidays - To look after others, you must look after yourself; minimum of 14 days paid respite helps you recharge.
01823 756 100 | info@empowerfostering.co.uk
Unit 2 Prockters Farm Offices, West Monkton, Taunton Somerset, TA2 8QN