To wonder how people can afford to foster

[Janepear]

The allowance is £140 pw and obviously you can’t work. We are just trying to work out how we could afford to do it. Anyone any ideas?

The fosterers I know both work while the children are at school

You can work can't you?

The financial element is much higher with a private agency and you don't work

Council carers are allowed other jobs (I think) and the money is per child

With the age of our youngest child we’d be looking at 0 to 5.

Some agencies seem to pay alot more than £140 pw...

By the Bridge:

"The fees we pay to our Foster Parents vary according to the type of fostering you do. You’ll receive an excellent weekly pay for each foster child. Typically a Foster Parent could earn £23,400 a year, tax free, fostering one child (that's the equivalent of a £29,440 taxed salary)."

www.bythebridge.co.uk/ga-can-i-become-a-foster-carer-if-11/pay/

Foster People:

"A fostering allowance of approximately £374 – £651 per week per child."

www.fosteringpeople.co.uk/thinking-of-becoming-a-foster-carer/?gclid=CjwKCAiA8OjjBRB4EiwAMZe6y--SUBZBlofmdElEFozeqalKkrw6RUtrmoeF_Zwuz3RTngK_xQn7mhoCIAIQAvD_BwE#

@Janepear

I can PM you some info if you like?

If you take harder to place children the payment can be higher (though that reflects the additional stress you will go through with the child)

Many foster carers have multiple children at one time

We looked at IFAs but the children they get referred start between 8 and 10 normally.

I know a lot about this area of work but I'd feel uncomfortable for a few reasons being really open about my experience on a public forum

More challenging children would be something we would def consider in the future but whilst we have a younger child it isn’t the right time for us, although looking at the allowance not sure now is the right time!

It can be well paid .

Barronhollow look forward to hearing from you.

Bartonhollow oops! Bet Barronhollow wonders who the hell I am!

There are different ‘levels’ of allowance, depending on experience etc.

I think it would be most likely doable for two parents, one parent would work FT to provide most of the income and top up with the fostering allowance.

It's seen as a GOOD thing that you work if you foster.... dont know where the hell you heard you can't

Foster carers usually do it out of love, the chance to help.
My cousin always wanted to be a foster parent, she has had many children, one of the first teens she had went on to have 2 DC, unfortunately they are in care but luckily my cousin has both DC the past 6 years, the way her DH loves them is amazing, she is the stricter one.
Ever since she visited with a 6 year old girl many years ago, I always wanted to be a foster carer, when DS is older, DP is wary, when we get married I'll enquire more.

You can get Income Support as a foster carer. Not sure about Universal Credit.

Our local authority has an entry allowance of £140 for the age range we can do. Purple yes I agree with IFAs and teens it appears but for younger children who are generally placed through the LA I wonder how people manage to choose to do it! I can see why there is a national shortage! I know there are multiple reasons but firstly it seems you need to be a position where you don’t ‘need’ the money.

If you have young child already then how are you managing work with them? If they won’t need childcare if you stay home then is that a saving?

Some agencies/council will feel its ok to work but some definitely don't want careers to work.

Fostering isn't about the money!

I believe looked after children are entitled to free nursery hours at age 2 (rather than 3) which also makes it easier to work while fostering younger children

My LA prefers that carers do not work, as a lot of time is taken up with daytime contact, medical appointments etc and carers have to be available for the child during the school day in case of school exclusions/difficulties etc

Yes Noal - that’s true