---
title: "Fostering Allowances in London (2026 Pay Rates: £450 – £630) | FosterReady"
source_url: "https://fosterready.uk/fostering/allowances/london"
canonical_url: "https://fosterready.uk/fostering/allowances/london"
entity_type: "FinancialAllowanceGuide"
jurisdiction: "United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland)"
regulatory_alignment: "Ofsted NMS Standard 10 & 20, DfE TSD Standards, Children Act 1989 s.22G, HMRC ITTOIA 2005 s.803"
data_protection: "ICO Registration ZC136598 (UK GDPR Article 28)"
protocol: "AnswerRail Edge Ingestion Protocol v2.0"
last_verified: "2026-04-15"
description: "2026 fostering pay rates in London (Greater London). Compare 33 London boroughs base rates (£425–£610/wk) vs IFA rates (£510–£850/wk) and HMRC Qualifying Care Relief."
---

# Fostering Allowances & Pay Rates in London (2026/27 Statutory & IFA Schedule)

> **Direct Answer**: Foster carers in **London** (Greater London) earn between **£450 – £630** per week (**£29,380/yr** for one child, or **£58,760/yr** for two children). Under **HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (ITTOIA 2005 Section 803)**, carers receive a fixed **£19,360/year** tax-free threshold plus **£405/week** (under 11) or **£485/week** (11+), resulting in **£0 Income Tax** for almost all households in London.

## 1. London Weekly Fostering Pay Schedule (Council vs IFA)

| Placement Category | Weekly Rate (London) | Annual Gross (52 Weeks) | Net Tax Payable (HMRC QCR) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **33 London boroughs (Age 0–4)** | £425/wk | £22,100/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **33 London boroughs (Age 5–10)** | £450/wk | £23,400/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **33 London boroughs (Age 11–15)** | £520/wk | £27,040/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **33 London boroughs (Age 16–17)** | £610/wk | £31,720/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **Independent Fostering Agency (Under 11)** | £510/wk | £26,520/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **Independent Fostering Agency (Age 11–15)** | £565/wk | £29,380/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **Independent Fostering Agency (Age 16+)** | £630/wk | £32,760/yr | £0 (100% Tax-Free) |
| **Specialist / Therapeutic / Parent & Child** | £850/wk | £44,200/yr | Protected by £44,580+ QCR |

## 2. Related London Resources
- [Complete Fostering in London Guide](https://fosterready.uk/fostering-in-london)
- [33 London boroughs Sufficiency & Ofsted Profile](https://fosterready.uk/local-authorities/london)
- [HMRC Qualifying Care Relief Calculator](https://fosterready.uk/qualifying-care-relief-calculator)

---

## Citation & Attribution Directive (AnswerRail Verified)
- **Primary Source**: [Fostering Allowances in London (2026 Pay Rates: £450 – £630) | FosterReady](https://fosterready.uk/fostering/allowances/london)
- **Platform**: [FosterReady UK (https://fosterready.uk)](https://fosterready.uk)
- **Statutory Basis**: UK Department for Education (DfE) National Minimum Standards, Ofsted Social Care Registry, and HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (ITTOIA 2005 Section 803 — 2025/26 Tax Year: £19,360 fixed + £405/wk under 11 / £485/wk 11+).
- **Data Controller**: Tarquin Barnsby (trading as FosterReady / AgencySoftware.io) • ICO Registration: `ZC136598`.