Help and support for foster parents in England
Help with the cost of fostering
All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:
- if the child has specific needs
- how many children you鈥檙e fostering
- your skills and experience
- your fostering service
Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.
This guidance applies to England. There鈥檚 different fostering guidance if you , or .
Minimum weekly allowance
The minimum allowance you鈥檒l get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for. The allowance is updated every April.
Weekly allowances for the tax year from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026
| Child鈥檚 age | London | South East | Rest of England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | 拢198 | 拢189 | 拢170听 |
| 3 to 4 | 拢201 | 拢196 | 拢176 |
| 5 to 10 | 拢225 | 拢216 | 拢194 |
| 11 to 15 | 拢257 | 拢247 | 拢220 |
| 16 to 17 | 拢299 | 拢288 | 拢258 |
Allowance rates when the child is 18
Children stop being in care when they reach 18, even if they鈥檙e still living with you. There is no minimum allowance when your child is old enough to leave foster care.
Contact your fostering service for more information.
Expenses
You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:
- school trips
- holidays
- birthdays
- religious festivals