Fostering Allowances 2026: What You'll Receive by Region

Fostering allowances vary by region, agency type, and the child's age and needs. Here's what you need to know about how much foster carers receive across the UK.

Government Minimum Rates (2025/26)

The UK government sets National Minimum Allowances (NMA) each year — these are the floor. Most agencies pay above these rates. For 2025/26:

• London: £198–£299/week (age-dependent)
• South East: £189–£288/week
• Rest of England: £170–£258/week
• Scotland (SRA): £171–£273/week
• Wales: £204–£255/week

IFA vs Local Authority: The Real Difference

The big difference is in the fee element:

• Local authorities: Often pay maintenance only, or a small fee of £50–£150/week.
• IFAs: Typically pay £200–£600/week on top of maintenance, but you're self-employed.

Specialist Placements Pay More

Children with complex needs (therapeutic, emergency, remand) attract higher rates — often £800–£1,200/week or more.

Tax Benefits

Foster carers benefit from Qualifying Care Relief: a tax-free household allowance of £19,690/year plus £415/week per child under 11 or £495/week per child 11 and over (2025/26 rates). Most foster carers pay no income tax at all.

For a full comparison of agencies in your area, contact Fosterline or your local authority fostering team.

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Sources: NMA rates (gov.uk) · Help with the cost of fostering (gov.uk) · Allowances (The Fostering Network)
Last verified: March 2026