If you are considering becoming a foster carer, there is a lot to think about. You need to be compassionate, understanding, patient, and undergo a lengthy process involving background checks, references, and home visits to ensure you are suitable. You will also be curious about how much you will be paid, as this extra financial support can provide you with the income to ensure your foster child is well looked after.
Newly qualified
If you have just qualified as a foster carer, you will be paid £300 per week on average if you are fostering one child. This is tax-free and equates to a salary of around £16,000. This can help you to manage your bills, provide food and essentials for your foster child, and boost your household income.
A more experienced foster carer
If you have gained a little extra experience along the way, such as if you have fostered before or have got a wealth of childcare knowledge and experience, you will be paid a little more than a newly qualified foster carer. You can anticipate around £400 per week of tax-free income for one child in your household.
Fostering additional children
If you foster more than one child, such as if you have two siblings living with you, you will receive an increased amount. For fostering two children, you receive a tax-free amount of £800 per week, which works out as £42,000 each year. Taking siblings into foster care Swansea is recommended, as they will retain their birth family ties.
A regular income
If you continue to foster, you will find that fostering can provide a regular income; what’s more, with so many children in desperate need of a supportive foster home, there will always be placements and young people to support. Getting started with foster care in Swansea can be a great way to earn an income whilst doing something rewarding.
Other essentials
The local authority or your foster agency may provide extras for your foster child, such as money for uniforms, birthdays, and transportation.
