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Foster care

Financial support for foster carers

Last updated
9 Dec 2024

There is not normally any cost to apply to become a foster carer. Check with the organisation that you applied through to make sure you do not have to pay anything.

Payments you may get as a foster carer

There are several different types of fees and allowances you may be able to get as a foster carer. This includes:

  • fostering allowances
  • fees
  • one-off payments
  • continuing care allowances

Speak to the organisation you applied through for information about what financial support you're entitled to.

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh City Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth and Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

Fostering allowance

You'll get a weekly allowance to cover the needs of the child you're caring for from the organisation you applied through. This allowance should go towards things such as:

  • clothing
  • food
  • travel
  • household bills
  • spending money

If you applied through your local council, they will pay at least the Scottish Recommended Allowance of:

  • £168.31 per week for children aged 0 to 4
  • £195.81 per week for children aged 5 to 10
  • £195.81 per week for children aged 11 to 15
  • £268.41 per week for children aged 16 and older

You may get paid a different amount if you applied through a fostering agency or charity. Contact them to find out how much fostering allowance you'll get.

Fostering fees

You'll also receive a fee for being a foster carer. This is paid separately and in addition to the fostering allowance.

Fostering fees are paid for your knowledge and skills as a foster carer. The organisation you applied through will decide how much you get.

One-off payments

You may get additional payments for some one-off expenses that are not covered by the standard fostering allowance.

The organisation you applied through will decide what you can get additional payments for. Common reasons for additional payments include things such as:

  • the child's birthday
  • religious celebrations
  • costs for getting started with foster care

Retainer fees

Some organisations will pay a fee to you during periods when you do not have a child placed with you. This is known as a retainer fee.

The organisation you applied through will decide if you get a retainer fee and how much this will be.

Retainer fees are normally paid for a limited time and may not cover the entire time when you do not have a child in your care. You'll be expected to be ready to foster a child at any time while you're receiving this fee.

Continuing care allowances

Some organisations will continue to pay you an allowance and fee for any young people who remain in your care after their 18th birthday.

The organisation you applied through will decide if you get a continuing care allowance and how much this will be.

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