When Do Foster Carers Get Paid?

Foster carers do not all receive their money on the same day. The payment date is determined by the fostering provider’s payment cycle and the terms of the foster carer’s agreement. Providers commonly arrange payments weekly or monthly, with the specific schedule confirmed before approval or when a placement begins.

Payments are usually linked to the dates covered by the placement and may be paid either in advance or in arrears. This means a provider might pay for an upcoming period, or pay after the care period has ended. The arrangement should be explained clearly so you know which dates each payment relates to and when the first payment is expected.

Before accepting a placement, ask the provider to confirm:

• Whether payments are made weekly or monthly
• The usual payment date or payment window
• Whether money is paid in advance or in arrears
• When the first payment will be made after a placement starts
• How the payment period is calculated when a placement starts or ends part-way through a week or month
• How changes to a placement are reflected in the following payment
• Whether any approved additional payments are made separately or included in the normal payment

The amount received may include more than one element. A foster care allowance is intended to contribute towards the everyday costs of caring for a child, while a fostering fee or professional payment may be available under the provider’s scheme. These elements can have different rules, so the payment statement or schedule should show what each amount represents. Not every provider uses the same structure, and not every placement attracts the same payment.

The first payment can require particular attention because several administrative steps may need to be completed. The provider may need the placement details, agreed start date, bank information and required documentation before processing the payment. If a placement begins between normal payment dates, the first amount may cover only the relevant part of the payment period, depending on the provider’s calculation method.

Payments can also change when a placement changes. For example, the amount may be recalculated if a child moves in or out, if the approved terms of the placement change, or if an additional payment has been authorised. The provider should explain how these changes affect the next payment rather than leaving you to work it out from the amount received.

Being paid between placements is a separate issue from the date on which a normal fostering payment arrives. Some providers may have arrangements for periods when no child is living with you, while others may not. The position depends on the provider’s policy, your agreement and any conditions attached to the payment, so it should be checked directly rather than assumed.

Keep your payment statements and records of placement dates, agreed expenses and any additional payments. These records help you check that the amount received matches the agreed arrangements and provide useful information for financial administration, including understanding your tax position. If a payment appears incorrect or does not arrive when expected, compare it with the payment schedule and contact the fostering provider’s finance or fostering team for an explanation.

There is no universal payday for foster carers. The reliable answer for your circumstances will be set out in the provider’s fostering agreement and payment information, including the frequency, calculation method and treatment of changes between placements.