What financial support is available to emergency foster carers?

Financial support for emergency foster carers usually consists of a fostering allowance, with additional payments or reimbursement considered for agreed costs linked to the child’s immediate care. The exact arrangement is set by the fostering provider and should be explained before you accept an emergency placement.

Fostering allowance

The main allowance is intended to contribute towards the everyday costs of caring for a child. This can include food, household bills, clothing, personal items, activities and other costs involved in maintaining a safe and suitable home. The allowance is not normally treated as a wage for the care provided; it is designed to support the child’s needs and the practical costs of fostering.

The amount may be affected by the child’s age, needs and circumstances, as well as the provider’s payment structure. Ask for a current allowance schedule and clarification of whether payments are made weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Payments for emergency and exceptional expenses

An emergency placement may involve costs that could not reasonably be planned for in advance. Depending on the provider’s policy, extra financial support may be available for agreed items such as:

• essential clothing, shoes, toiletries or bedding;
• travel connected with school, health appointments, family contact or other arrangements;
• equipment needed to make the bedroom or home suitable;
• school supplies, activities or other costs that support the child’s routine;
• specialist items or services linked to assessed needs.

Do not assume that an additional cost will be paid automatically. Before buying an expensive item or committing to a recurring expense, check whether approval is needed, what evidence is required and who should arrange the purchase. Keep receipts and a simple record of costs, particularly where the child arrives with little or no belongings.

Fees and other elements of the payment package

Some fostering providers include a professional or skills-based fee alongside the child’s allowance. Others use a single payment or a different structure. Whether an emergency foster carer receives a fee, and how it is calculated, depends on the provider’s terms and the carer’s approval and placement arrangements.

Ask the fostering team to separate the different parts of the package in writing. You should be able to see which amount is intended for the child’s day-to-day care, which relates to your fostering role and which costs require separate agreement.

Tax and benefits

Foster carers may be able to use specific tax arrangements for fostering, including qualifying care relief, but the position depends on the type of fostering, the payments received and the individual’s circumstances. Benefits can also be affected by fostering income or allowances. The provider can explain the information it supplies, but independent advice from HM Revenue and Customs, a benefits adviser or a qualified accountant may be appropriate before relying on a particular tax treatment.

Keep payment statements, receipts, mileage records and other relevant documents. Good records make it easier to check that payments are correct and to answer tax or benefits queries.

Questions to ask before accepting a placement

• What allowance will apply to this placement, and what does it cover?
• Are there separate fees or payments for emergency fostering?
• Which initial items can be claimed or provided?
• Do additional travel, contact or specialist costs need prior approval?
• When will payments begin and how will they be made?
• What happens if the child’s needs change during the placement?
• Who should be contacted about an urgent financial or practical cost?

A clear payment agreement helps you plan responsibly without making assumptions about what will be reimbursed. Your fostering team should explain the applicable arrangements, record any placement-specific agreements and tell you how to raise questions about expenses or changes in the child’s needs.