Fees and allowances for fostering a baby

Allowances vary according to the age of the child

Fostering fees vary depending on the age and needs of the child and also depending on the service provider.

Typically, foster carers of younger children receive lower allowances and fees than carers of older children; the reason for this is largely due to demand – there are more foster carers available to look after babies than there are carers available to care for older children and teenagers.

Indeed, some foster carers of babies receiving lower fees and allowances than the cost to them of caring for the baby. This isn’t always a problem, because some carers can afford to cover the costs of caring for babies and are not concerned about being paid to attend meetings, complete training or complete any other professional tasks.

However, there are many other foster carers who wish to provide loving stable homes to babies (and other children), but they can’t cover all the expenses related to it. Furthermore, carers of babies are required to be home full time, unlike carers of older children, who can work at least part-time whilst the child is at school.

Local authority fees and independent provider fees

Independent fostering providers typically give higher fees for fostering babies (around £350/week per child) whereas local authorities are likely to give under £250/week per child. However, many fostering providers (including Sparks Fostering) do not take on carers who can’t look after older children because the local authority doesn’t pass us many referrals for babies. The majority of babies who need fostering homes are looked after by local authority foster carers.

Difference between fostering babies and older children

Most foster carers prefer to care for children over age 5 because the children attend school; this allows the carer to work (many foster carers work full time in a flexible job), or to attend to other commitments or just rest.

Also, some carers underestimate the challenges of caring for babies and toddlers. Some younger children struggle with issues such as soiling, bed-wetting, food insecurity, drug withdrawal or a range of other challenges. Supporting children with these needs can leave carers feeling exhausted.

Best age of child to foster

The ideal age of child to foster depends completely on the preferences of the foster carers. Children of all ages can have a range of needs, from having minimal needs right through to having complex needs.

However, for foster carers who would like to consider giving up their day job to become full time foster carers, they are likely to receive the highest fees caring for older children via independent fostering providers. At the time of writing this blog, Sparks Fostering carers received on average £740/week/child and the carers had given up work in childcare professions to foster full time.