Why are my foster parents paid to look after me?

Ever wondered why your foster parents receive an allowance to take care of you?

You might have mixed feelings about someone being paid to offer you a home and even wonder whether they’re only doing it for the money.

The truth is that becoming and then being a foster parent takes a lot of time, energy, and commitment, and is not something people do to profit from.

If foster parent pay has been weighing on your mind, join us as we take a closer look at fostering allowances to help you understand exactly what they are and why your foster family receives one.

Why are my foster parents paid to look after me?

Why fostering allowances matter

If foster families didn’t receive any payment for providing a home for a child or young person, then it would seriously limit the number of foster parents to help children in need of a safe, stable home.

After all, caring for children isn’t free – from groceries, clothing, and school supplies to gas, electricity, and water, there are costs involved that you may not have even realised.

Providing a fostering allowance means finances aren’t a barrier for people out there who’d really like to make a difference but aren’t wealthy. It also means that foster parents have enough money to cover more than just the bills. Whether it’s a family day out, a fun activity or a hobby you want to explore, it ensures they have more than enough to invest in your future and build happy memories together.

All our foster parents are additionally expected to provide you with pocket money and a savings account; their social worker will agree on an amount when you move into their care. If you aren’t receiving either of these, talk to your social worker.

 

What do fostering allowances pay for? 

There are two parts to your foster parent’s fostering allowance: 

 

Part one: expenses

This part of their allowance prevents them from falling into hardship because they’ve chosen to help a child by welcoming them into their home. It covers expenses that can quickly add up, including:

  • Groceries
  • Clothing
  • Toiletries
  • School equipment
  • Utilities
  • Transport
  • Hobbies
  • Activities
  • Holidays
  • Days out
  • Pocket money

Part two: professional fee

Our foster parents complete training, work with lots of different professionals, and are available to you day and night. Their responsibilities often mean they can’t work elsewhere, as parents who care for their own children would.

This part of the fostering allowance recognises all the hard work they put into completing the extra bits they legally have to do, like recording daily logs, writing reports, and attending meetings. It’s the side of fostering that our foster parents often tell us is the only bit they see as ‘work’.

Do my foster parents really care about me?

Yes, our foster parents don’t just decide to foster on a whim; they truly care about children and are being the change they want to see in the world. Some of our foster parents have been in care themselves, whereas others have worked in other caring professions and are using their transferable skills to make a difference.

We don’t just let anyone become a foster parent; they have to show us that they’re doing it for the right reasons. Every single applicant goes through a very thorough process that involves sharing their life experiences, rigorous background checks, and obtaining references from various people in their lives.

Many of our foster parents tell us that the hardest thing about their role is saying goodbye. If they didn’t really care, they wouldn’t feel this way.

Are my foster parents doing it for the money?

No, as we’ve explored in this blog, a lot goes into being a foster parent. From the initial fostering assessment and training to daily admin and regular meetings, it would be a lot of effort to do it ‘just for the money’.

Not only that, but even though our fostering allowances are generous, most of the money foster parents receive will go into caring for you and providing you with the happy home and childhood you deserve.

It’s also important to remember that fostering isn’t the only paid caring job role. Doctors, nurses, teachers, and social workers are all paid for the work they do because, after all, how else would they be able to afford to pay their rent or mortgage and general living expenses without receiving a wage? It’s the same for your foster parents.

Have questions?

We hope that this blog answers any questions you have about why your foster parents are paid to look after you. If you still have worries, you can reach out to your social worker, the participation team, other children and young people in your local network, and, if you feel comfortable, your foster parents.

You can also find lots more guidance and advice on our Being in Care Hub, from managing your money and tackling bullying to advice about leaving care and finding your first job. Our community is here to help you with whatever it is you need.

Why fostering allowances matter

Why Do Foster Parents Get Paid?

There are many misconceptions about fostering, finances being one of them.

Foster parents dedicate their lives to vulnerable children and young people, helping them feel safe, stable, and loved in a world that hasn’t been kind to them. They help them trust others again and provide brighter outcomes for their futures.

But do foster carers get paid for what they do? Yes, and in this article, we’ll explore why, from the costs of caring for a child to fostering as a full-time job, you’ll learn why financial support for foster parents matters.

Do foster parents pay tax

Why financial support for foster parents matters

Some people think that foster parents shouldn’t receive an allowance; they should care for children purely out of charity and the kindness of their hearts.

Although foster parents do need to be compassionate, kind, and caring, they also need financial support, and here are five reasons why.

Covers the costs of caring for a child

Raising a child isn’t free; from school uniforms and PE kits to groceries, toiletries, and more, it can quickly add up. Not only this, but many children in care have experienced a lifetime of adversity in their early years and deserve the chance to create new positive memories through enrichment opportunities.

The allowance for foster carers covers all the costs associated with giving foster children a good childhood. A childhood where they never go hungry or cold, and where their foster parents have the resources to meet their ever-changing needs as they grow.

Fostering is a 24/7 role

What do foster carers do? – They care for children who are living with trauma and may have complex physical, behavioural, emotional and educational needs. It’s an around-the-clock role; here is just a snapshot of what a foster parent does day-to-day:

  • Writing daily logs
  • School drop-offs
  • Taking children to family time arrangements
  • Ongoing training
  • Advocating for the child’s needs
  • Helping children heal from their trauma
  • Managing emotions and behaviour
  • Regular supervision
  • Collaborating with other fostering professionals, such as social workers, therapists, and education leads.

Although fostering is rewarding, it’s also challenging and not something you can simply switch off from when the clock turns five pm. That’s why at FCA, our fostering allowance is split into two: half covers the costs of caring for a child, while the other rewards our foster parents for their dedication to changing young lives.

Many foster parents can’t work full-time

Part of the role of a foster parent includes being available for school drop-offs, meetings, appointments, training, and the school holidays.

While many of our foster parents work alongside fostering, due to the demands of the role, it’s unlikely they’d be able to work full-time, unless they’re part of a couple and one foster parent is available to manage daily responsibilities.

The foster care allowance means that when someone takes in a child, whether for a few nights or until they turn 18, they can still pay rent, bills, and other expenses while they’re unable to work full-time in other employment.

Fostering is a professional role

Although you don’t need experience to become a foster parent, fostering a child is a professional role.

At FCA, our foster parents take part in ongoing training that ensures they can meet the ever-changing needs of children as they grow. Foster parents also have the opportunity to complete advanced-level training courses so they can care for children with disabilities and those seeking asylum.

Being a foster parent is not an easy role, and they deserve recognition for the skills and knowledge they work hard to gain, which in turn helps children in their care thrive. That’s why at FCA, our foster parents receive a generous fostering allowance and additional rewards as a thank you for everything they do.

Allows more people to foster

Every year, 36,000 children move into care, but the number of foster families available to care for them is in decline. If fostering payments didn’t exist, even fewer families would be able to welcome children into their homes, simply because they couldn’t absorb the additional costs.

While you need to have some level of financial security to become a foster parent, the fostering allowance means that it’s not something reserved only for the wealthy. It also prevents those with average incomes who’d make incredible foster parents from being excluded from taking up the role.

As a result, fostering is open to more people, preventing children and young people in care from being separated from their siblings, moving far from the communities they know, and having to live in residential care.

No one fosters ‘for the money’

Too often, we hear people accuse foster parents of ‘doing it for the money,’ but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our foster parents open their homes and dedicate their lives to the children and young people who need it most. They help them heal from their trauma, overcome disadvantage, and build successful futures, changing not only their lives, but also the lives of generations to come.

They’re patient, resilient, and have an abundance of empathy; they don’t foster for the money, they foster to transform children’s lives, and receiving an allowance enables them to do just that.

Enquire to learn more

Thinking about becoming a foster parent? When you join FCA, you’ll receive 24/7 support, extensive training, and become part of a community dedicated to helping children and young people reach the best possible outcomes.

If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom, the legal right to work in the UK and a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and young people, enquire with us today.

Call us on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form. One of our friendly advisors will have a chat with you about fostering and help you begin this life-changing new chapter.

do Foster Parents Get Paid

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