How Much Do Foster Carers Get Paid?

Foster carers in the UK receive a weekly allowance and fee, but the amount can vary depending on the agency and the needs of the child. At Mosaic Foster Care, you’ll receive a minimum of £600 per week, increasing to £700+ per week after you complete your initial training. Payments are made weekly to provide consistent financial stability. Download our free guide to fostering finances here.

Yes, foster carers are paid per child. With Mosaic Foster Care, this means your income increases significantly if you care for more than one child. Mosaic Foster Care pays a full fee for each additional child placed with you, so fostering siblings or multiple placements can increase your earnings considerably. 

The fostering allowance is intended to cover all the day-to-day costs associated with caring for a child, such as food, clothing, school supplies, transport and activities. At Mosaic Foster Care, your allowance and fee are combined into one clear weekly payment with no hidden deductions, so you always know what you’re getting. 

Foster carer payments are generally not taxed in the usual way because of a scheme called Qualifying Care Relief (QCR). Mosaic Foster Care  supports carers by offering guidance on registering as self-employed and making the most of QCR. Most Mosaic foster parents pay little or no tax on their fostering income. Read our blog – Do Foster Parents Pay Tax? – here. 

While many agencies don’t pay carers between placements, Mosaic offers a retainer payment of £250 per week for up to four weeks if a placement ends after at least three months. This helps bridge income gaps and provides a level of financial security that many agencies do not offer. 

At Mosaic Foster Care , completing your Training, Support and Development (TSD) Standards workbook increases your weekly payment by £100. This means your pay rises from £600 to £700+ per week, recognising your commitment and growth as a professional foster carer. Read more about foster parent training here. 

Yes. Mosaic Foster Care provides up to three weeks of paid respite care per year to support your wellbeing. If you don’t take the full amount, you still receive payment for up to seven unused days, so you’re never out of pocket for not using your respite. 

Mosaic pays carers weekly to provide regular, predictable income. This weekly schedule helps foster families manage day-to-day expenses more easily and plan their household budgets with confidence. 

Fostering income is usually not counted as earned income for most means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. Mosaic Foster Care can help you understand how fostering may affect your specific situation and signpost you to reliable resources like gov.uk or financial advisors. Download our free guide to fostering finances here. 

Foster carer payments can come from local authorities or agencies, depending on who you foster through. If you foster with Mosaic Foster Care, all your payments come directly from Mosaic Foster Care, not from the local council. 

Mosaic’s weekly payment includes both the child’s care allowance and your professional fee. This combined figure is clear, transparent and free from deductions for things like training or therapy, which are fully funded by Mosaic Foster Care. Download our free guide to fostering finances here. 

Average income varies, but with Mosaic Foster Care, a foster parent fostering one child for a full year would earn £36,400. Thanks to tax relief through QCR, this can be equivalent to a gross salary of around £47,647 in a traditional job. 

If you foster more than one child, your income increases accordingly. Mosaic Foster Care pays full fostering fees and allowances for each child, meaning you can earn significantly more when fostering sibling groups or multiple placements, assuming you meet the approval criteria. 

The weekly payment from Mosaic Foster Care is designed to cover the majority of your expenses. However, in cases where additional costs arise – such as high transport needs or special equipment – Mosaic Foster Care will provide advice and consider reimbursement on a case-by-case basis.  Travel expenses directly related to fostering such as school runs or medical appointments are reimbursed.  Download our free guide to fostering finances here. 

At Mosaic, yes. Whether you use your respite or not, you’ll still be paid for up to seven unused respite days each year. This ensures you’re not financially disadvantaged if you don’t take a break. 

Foster carers are considered self-employed and must register with HMRC. Mosaic Foster Care offers support to help you navigate your self-employment status, file your tax return and maximise your Qualifying Care Relief so you can retain more of your income. 

While fostering is a demanding role, some foster carers do manage part-time work. Mosaic Foster Care encourages full-time fostering where possible but understands that each household is different and supports carers in finding a workable balance. 

Training incentives are additional payments or benefits offered when carers complete specific training. At Mosaic Foster Care, you receive an extra £100 per week once you complete your TSD Standards, boosting your income while helping you develop professionally. 

For general advice, visit gov.uk or speak to a fostering advisor. For information specific to Mosaic Foster Care, download our free Guide To Fostering Finances. It contains detailed examples, breakdowns, and real-world comparisons to help you make informed decisions. 

Mosaic offers one of the most financially supportive packages in England. With clear weekly pay, full per-child payments, paid respite, retainer pay between placements, funded training, and in-house support services, Mosaic sets itself apart by prioritising the financial stability of its carers.