There is financial support for fostering, but there is still the need to manage the real costs of day to day spending and plan for additional expenses.
Everyday Living Costs
Budgeting for a child’s clothing, toiletries, school shoes and other stationery items can come to around £150 to £300 for an initial stock and then £30 to £50 per month thereafter depending on the child’s age. The cost of a school uniform can range from around £80 to £100 per term.
Bedroom and Equipment Setup
Even before a child arrives you might need to buy some things for their bedroom such as bedding, a lamp, storage etc. You might also need to purchase some age appropriate furniture. A basic bedroom for a child would cost around £100-£250 for starters. Then there are all the other items that can add up quickly, ie. a bedside clock, towels, a chest of drawers etc.
For more on Foster Care Cardiff, take a look at https://saferfostering.org.uk/foster-care-wales/cardiff/.
The fostering child will benefit from participation in clubs and activities and from hobbies. These can cost from £5 a week for a weekly club or class to £10-£15 a week for after school activities. Children in care are also entitled to pocket money. The amount of pocket money that a child in care receives is determined by the child’s age. As a rough guide, school age children would receive £5-£10 a week.
Transport Costs
Contact visits with the child’s birth parents, taking a child to school every day and visits to the doctor from time to time all involve travel. Keep a mileage log from the start of a placement as many Cardiff placements include a mileage allowance. Also log bus fares and parking costs.
Your Fostering Allowance
Every fostering household in Cardiff will receive a weekly fostering allowance from their fostering agency or local authority. UK website.
Good budgeting at the start means less stress and more time for your child.
