Do council fostering allowance rates include a professional fee?
Not always. A council fostering allowance is generally intended to cover the child’s everyday care costs, while any professional fee or fostering payment for the carer depends on the council’s scheme, the placement and the carer’s experience or approval level.
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A council fostering allowance can include both a child-related allowance and a separate professional fee, but this depends on the council’s payment structure. Some councils show these amounts separately, while others publish a combined fostering payment or use different terms for the fee element.
The allowance is normally the part intended to meet the costs of looking after a child or young person. This can include everyday items such as food, clothing, personal care, transport and activities, along with other agreed expenses connected with the placement. It is not usually described as wages for the foster carer.
A professional fee is different. Where a council offers one, it recognises the time, responsibility, skills and commitment involved in fostering. The fee may be linked to the carer’s approval category, experience, training or the needs of the child. A higher level of care may have a different payment arrangement, particularly where the placement requires additional supervision, specialist skills or greater availability.
It is important to check how a council defines its published rates. The wording may refer to:
- the child’s maintenance allowance only;
- a professional fee paid to the foster carer;
- a skills or reward payment linked to training and experience;
- a combined total containing more than one payment element; or
- additional amounts for particular needs, expenses or placement circumstances.
Not every approved foster carer will necessarily receive the same fee. Eligibility can depend on the council’s terms, the type of placement, the carer’s approval and whether specific requirements have been met. Some schemes may also distinguish between a standard placement and arrangements involving additional support or responsibility. These conditions should be explained during the assessment and approval process and set out in the relevant fostering documentation.
The payment arrangement should be confirmed before accepting a placement. Ask the council to explain which part covers the child’s expenses, whether a professional fee is included, how the rate is calculated, and what conditions apply. It is also sensible to ask what happens if the child’s needs change, the placement ends, or the carer takes an agreed period without a placement. Do not rely on a headline figure if the published information does not explain what it contains.
Foster carers should also check whether expenses are paid separately from the main allowance. Items such as travel, equipment, education-related costs or activities may be handled under different rules and may require prior agreement or receipts. These arrangements should not be assumed to form part of the professional fee.
If you are comparing fostering options, request the current payment policy and a written breakdown of the rates that could apply to your circumstances. A fostering service should be able to explain the difference between maintenance payments, professional fees and additional expenses before you decide whether to apply.
There is no single national professional fee for council foster carers. Each fostering service sets its own payment structure, so two councils may use different names, eligibility rules and calculation methods for broadly similar arrangements. A headline rate should therefore be treated as an indication rather than a guaranteed personal payment.
When comparing council fostering allowance rates, check whether the quoted figure is a weekly total or only one element of the package. The written terms should show how the professional fee is identified, when it becomes payable and whether it is affected by the approved placement arrangement. This makes it easier to compare like-for-like figures and understand what you would receive for a particular placement.
Ask About Professional Fees in Fostering
Speak to a fostering adviser to discuss how professional fees may apply to your circumstances and what information you should review before applying.