Foster Carer Payments and Allowances in South Gloucestershire
Find out about the different allowances available to our foster carers.
How much do foster carers get paid in South Gloucestershire?
Newly approved foster carers can receive up to £454 per week, per child, with opportunities to increase their payments through the foster carer banding scheme. The amount you receive depends on the child’s age, needs, the type of fostering you provide and your foster carer banding level.
When you foster with South Gloucestershire Council, you receive financial support to help cover the costs of caring for a child, as well as access to training, professional development and ongoing support from an experienced local fostering team.
As a local authority fostering service rated Good by Ofsted, we are committed to supporting both foster carers and the children and young people in their care.
What payments do foster carers receive?
Fostering payments are made up of two elements:
- An Age Related Allowance (ARA) to cover the costs of caring for a child.
- A Foster Carer Fee, which recognises your skills, training and experience as a foster carer.
The total amount you receive will depend on:
- The age of the child.
- The type of fostering you provide.
- The child’s individual needs.
- Your foster carer banding level.
Age Related Allowance (ARA)
The Age Related Allowance helps cover the everyday costs of caring for a child, including food, clothing, household expenses, activities and travel.
| Child’s Age | Weekly Allowance | Birthday & Religious Holiday Allowance | Holiday Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Primary (0–3 years) | £182 | £182 | £364 |
| Primary (4–10 years) | £201 | £201 | £402 |
| Secondary (11–15 years) | £227 | £227 | £454 |
| Secondary (16–17 years) | £267 | £267 | £534 |
Allowance rates are subject to review and may change.
Foster Carer Fees
In addition to the Age Related Allowance, foster carers receive a weekly fee based on their banding level.
| Band | Weekly Fee Per Child |
|---|---|
| Band 1 | £187 |
| Band 2 | £239 |
| Band 3 | £268 |
| Band 4 | £441 |
| Band 5 | £629 |
Foster Carer Banding
All newly approved foster carers join at Band 1, unless they can demonstrate the skills and competencies required to start at a higher band.
As you gain experience, complete training and develop your fostering skills, you’ll have opportunities to progress through the banding levels and increase the fees you receive.
We actively support our foster carers to develop their knowledge and experience through training, supervision and professional development opportunities.
Additional Allowances
As well as weekly fostering payments, a range of additional allowances are available to help support the children and young people in your care.
These may include:
- Birthday allowances.
- Religious holiday allowances.
- Holiday allowances.
- Support with school trips abroad.
- School uniform allowances.
- Clothing allowances.
- Mileage payments for transporting children to school, appointments and family time.
Do foster carers pay tax?
Many foster carers pay little or no tax on their fostering income.
The Government’s Qualifying Care Relief scheme allows foster carers to benefit from specific tax arrangements designed to support fostering households. According to current guidance, foster carers can earn up to £18,140 per household per year tax-free, alongside additional tax relief linked to the number of children in their care. Individual circumstances vary and independent financial advice should always be sought where appropriate.1
For further information, please see HMRC’s guidance on fostering and tax.
Additional benefits of fostering with South Gloucestershire Council
We know that support is about much more than financial payments.
When you foster with South Gloucestershire Council, you’ll also have access to a range of benefits and support services, including:
- Dedicated support from your supervising social worker.
- Ongoing training and development.
- 24-hour support when needed.
- A Blue Light Card offering discounts online and on the high street.
- A Max Card providing reduced-cost access to attractions and activities.
- Discounts for Carers membership.
- Activities and events during school holidays.
- Membership benefits through The Fostering Network.
- Access to support and resources through New Family Social.
Why Foster With South Gloucestershire Council?
As a local authority fostering service, we’re focused on finding loving homes for local children and young people.
By fostering directly with South Gloucestershire Council, you’ll be helping local children and young people stay connected to their communities, schools and support networks whenever possible.
Local support
You’ll receive personalised support from a dedicated local fostering team who understand the needs of children and families in South Gloucestershire.
Training and development
From your initial application through to approval and beyond, we’ll help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide excellent care.
Experienced professionals
You’ll work alongside social workers and fostering professionals committed to helping children thrive.
Ofsted-rated service
South Gloucestershire Council’s fostering service is rated Good by Ofsted, reflecting our commitment to providing high-quality support and positive outcomes for children and young people.
Example foster carer payment
The amount you receive will vary depending on the age of the child and your fostering band.
Below are examples of the types of payments available:
- A Band 1 foster carer looking after a child aged 11–15 could receive a weekly allowance of £227 plus a weekly fee of £187.
- A Band 2 foster carer caring for a child aged 4–10 could receive a weekly allowance of £201 plus a weekly fee of £239.
- Foster carers at higher banding levels may receive significantly higher weekly fees.1
Our fostering team will be happy to explain how payments work and what you may be eligible to receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do foster carers get paid in South Gloucestershire?
Newly approved foster carers can receive up to £454 per week, per child, depending on the child’s age, needs and the type of fostering they provide. In addition to age-related allowances, foster carers also receive fees linked to their banding level.
Do foster carers get paid?
Yes. Foster carers receive weekly payments to help cover the costs of caring for a child and may receive additional fees and allowances depending on their role and experience.
Do foster carers pay tax?
Many foster carers pay little or no tax on their fostering income because of the Government’s Qualifying Care Relief scheme. Individual circumstances vary.
What is Qualifying Care Relief?
Qualifying Care Relief is a tax relief scheme that helps foster carers reduce or eliminate Income Tax on fostering income, subject to HMRC rules.
What additional allowances do foster carers receive?
Additional support may include birthday allowances, religious holiday allowances, holiday allowances, school uniform support, clothing allowances and mileage payments.
Do foster carers receive mileage payments?
Yes. Foster carers can receive mileage payments when transporting children and young people to school, appointments and family time arrangements.
What are foster carer banding levels?
Banding levels recognise a foster carer’s experience, skills and training. As foster carers progress through the bands, the fees they receive may increase.
Can I work and foster?
Many foster carers combine fostering with work. Whether this is suitable will depend on the type of fostering you provide and the needs of the child in your care.
Can single people foster?
Yes. You can become a foster carer whether you are single, married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner.
What support will I receive as a foster carer?
You’ll receive training, supervision, guidance from a dedicated fostering social worker, access to support services and opportunities to connect with other foster carers.
Why foster with South Gloucestershire Council?
Foster carers who join South Gloucestershire Council receive competitive allowances, dedicated local support, ongoing training and the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of local children and young people.
Ready to find out more?
Enquire today to start your fostering journey with South Gloucestershire Council.
All fostering enquiries are received by Fostering South West, the regional fostering hub for local authorities across the South West.
A member of their team will usually contact you within two working days to discuss fostering, answer any questions you may have and help you decide whether fostering is right for you.
If you choose to progress your application with South Gloucestershire Council, your enquiry will be passed to our local fostering team, who will support you through the assessment process and throughout your fostering journey.