How Much Does Fostering Pay?

Fostering is both a meaningful commitment and a practical responsibility, so it is natural to want to understand how the allowances work. Across the UK, payments vary depending on the child’s age, their individual needs, the type of fostering arrangement and the location of the placement. Specialist arrangements, such as caring for children with disabilities or parent-and-child fostering, usually attract higher payments because they often require more time and support.

At Progress, we make sure our foster carers receive fair and competitive allowances that reflect the incredible care they provide. A placement for a baby usually attracts a couple of hundred pounds each week, while caring for a child with more complex needs can be around £580 a week.

Foster carers also could increase their earnings through our developmental pathway. This rewards skill, dedication and professional growth. As carers build their experience and contribute to the wider Progress community, they can move through different bands, with each step adding an extra £25 per child per week.

Alongside the financial allowance, foster carers receive comprehensive training, regular support and access to specialist advice whenever they need it. They also enjoy additional benefits such as a Health Cash Plan that covers essential healthcare costs up to set limits, 24/7 telephone doctor, mental health support and discounts for gym membership and retail products, and the Blue Light Card, which provides savings across shops, travel and leisure.

For many of our foster carers, the allowance is only one part of the story. The true reward is the joy of seeing a child feel safe, grow in confidence and discover new possibilities for their future. Fostering provides financial support, but it is the difference made in a child’s life that lasts the longest.