There are two parts to the payments made to foster carers:
Fostering Maintenance Allowance
This is how the cost of daily care for a fostered child is paid to a carer. It is to pay for the child's food, clothing, personal care, activities and other expenses. The payment reflects that foster care for a child costs more than caring for your own child. This allowance varies and depends on:
- Age of the child.
- Type of care the child needs.
- How complex the placement is.
This table shows the basic weekly allowance. (Based on the Government's minimum allowances for April 2025 to March 2026.)
| Age of child | Weekly allowance |
|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | £170 |
| 3 to 4 | £176 |
| 5 to 10 | £194 |
| 11 to15 | £220 |
| 16+ | £258 |
Skilled Based Payments
Foster carers receive this for each child, in addition to the maintenance allowance. The amount depends on your skill level.
You can progress through skill levels, with increased experience. This shows how competent a foster carer is for the age and developmental needs or challenges the child presents.
- Progress depends on carers showing that they have the right skills and knowledge to advance.
- The payment ranges from £138.74 to £386.54 per week.
Additional allowances
As well as the above, there are more allowances that can be claimed on an annual basis and cover:
- Birthdays.
- Festivals.
- Holidays.
There is also financial support for:
- Initial clothing.
- School uniforms.
- Transport.
- Organised school holidays and trips.
- Religious and cultural needs.
- Spectacles.
- A child's passport.
Council Tax exemption
A foster carer for Calderdale Council can get a full Council Tax exemption. To qualify for this, you must:
- Pay your council tax to Calderdale Council.
- Offer or be forecast to offer a child a placement for 26 weeks out of the year.
Find out more
Please contact Fostering:
- Phone: 01422 266020.
- Email: fostering@calderdale.gov.uk.
Express your interest
When you are ready, take the first step in your fostering journey.