Career Pathway and Finances
Fees and allowances are paid fortnightly.
Carers are treated as self-employed and are advised to seek the advice of an accountant.
A fee is paid to an approved carer in respect of each child placed.
In addition, foster carers receive a maintenance allowance for each child in their care.
The maintenance allowance is paid fortnightly and is the same for all levels of foster carer.
Please note that the figures quoted are based on a full time care plan.
| Age of child looked after | Maintenance Allowance Per Child Paid Fortnightly |
| 0-4 | £171.35 per week (£8,910.20 Per Annum) |
| 5-10 | £195.19 per week (£10,149.88 Per Annum) |
| 11-15 | £242.99 per week (£12,635.48 Per Annum) |
| 16+ | £295.53 per week (£15,367.56 Per Annum) |
Foster Talk also have some great resources and advice for foster carers
Entry level into fostering
Foster carer must support improving outcomes for looked after children. Following the first twelve months of fostering, carers are eligible for applying for Level 2 Skills payments.
Level 1 Payment
£126.38 per week
(£6,571.76 per annum)
PER CHILD
Level 2 Foster Carer
For foster carers to progress to level 2 they need to complete additional training and requirements. Please contact us for details
Level 2 Payment
£151.66 per week
(£7,886.32 per annum)
PER CHILD
Level 3 Foster Carer
For foster carers to progress to level 3 they need to complete additional training and requirements. Please contact us for details
Level 3 Payment
£202.20 per week
(£10,514.40 per annum)
PER CHILD
Level 4 Foster Carer
For foster carers to progress to level 4 they need to complete additional training and requirements. Please contact us for details
Level 4 Payment
£246.44 per week
(£12,814.88 per annum)
PER CHILD
Level 5 Foster Carer
For foster carers to progress to level 5 they need to complete additional training and requirements. Please contact us for details
Level 5 Payment
£296.99 per week
(£15,443.48 per annum)
PER CHILD
Level 6 Specialist Foster Carer
For foster carers to progress to level 6 they need to complete additional training and requirements. Please contact us for details
Level 6 Payment
£631.88 per week
(£32,857.76 per annum)
PER CHILD
Additional Allowances
Clothing, Holidays, and Celebrations
Carers are also entitled to the following payments:
| Age of Child | Initial Clothing | Holiday Grant | Birthday / Festival |
| 0-4 | £147.01 | £267.27 | £100.22 |
| 5-10 | £165.83 | £334.09 | £133.64 |
| 11-15 | £186.59 | £334.09 | £167.04 |
| 16+ | £206.97 | £334.09 | £200.46 |
Equipment Allowance
Sandwell Children’s Trust supports foster carers in ensuring they have safe and appropriate equipment for children in their care.
| Car seat | £70.00 |
| Stairgate | £30.00 |
| Buggy/double buggy | £116.16 / £189.00 |
| Bed and mattress | £189.00 |
| Drawers | £99.00 |
| Cot & mattress | £108.33 |
| Bedding bale | £39.57 |
| Wardrobe | £179.00 |
Pocket money and savings
Carers are required to make savings for each child in their care. £5.00 weekly is to be saved for each child up until the age of 16, when the expectation is £10.00 weekly. The weekly sum comes from the carers’ maintenance allowance.
Extra money (e.g. gifts at birthdays or from families) can be paid into the savings account.
Children are also entitled to receive pocket money commensurate with their age.
Sandwell Children’s Trust supports foster carers in ensuring they have safe and appropriate equipment for children in their care.
| Age of Child | Amount |
| 0-4 | £6.30 |
| 5-10 | £10.45 |
| 11-15 | £16.25 |
| 16+ | £27.40 |
Staying Put
‘Staying Put’ is our provision for 18-21 year olds to allow them to stay with their foster family as the make the transition into adulthood.
We pay £170 per week to continue to look after a young person under the Staying Put programme.
New to fostering?
Already a foster carer?
The rewards of foster caring extend far beyond the positive influence on a child, as fostering can bring personal growth, fulfilment, and a sense of purpose to your own life.
Together, we can create a brighter future for vulnerable children and build a more compassionate society.