Foster Care Benefits

Embarking on the journey to becoming a foster carer is a life-changing commitment, one that reshapes the future of vulnerable children while enriching your own family life.

One topic that frequently gets brought up, is what benefits can foster carers claim? At Family Fostering Partners, we’re proud of the support and guidance we offer our foster parents. We’ve put together this page to highlight some of the main foster care benefits, along with ten reasons you might want to consider fostering with us. In this guide, we’ll look at the different benefits for foster carers, including financial support, and take a closer look at the kind of community that makes fostering with Family Fostering Partners so rewarding.

 

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Beyond Benefits for Foster Carers

Each person’s decision to foster likely stems from numerous motivations, each deeply personal and impactful. Foster care offers the unique opportunity to provide a lifeline to a vulnerable child, witnessing first hand as they succeed and flourish within the nurturing environment of your home.

Fostering is more than a vocation; it's a full-time, heart-driven commitment that is both challenging and immensely rewarding. Unlike traditional 9-5 jobs, foster care happens in the warmth of your home, weaving the care of children into your everyday routine, through school runs, appointments, and the shared ups and downs of family life.

Among the many benefits of foster care that we’ll explore, one of the most powerful is the opportunity to make a lasting difference, all from the comfort of your own home.

 

Financial Support for Foster Carers

Recognising the dedication and professionalism of foster carers, at Family Fostering Partners we want to ensure that carers are compensated fairly for their invaluable work. This compensation isn't merely an income to cover costs, but a reflection of the significant role foster carers play in nurturing and healing the lives of children.

 

Foster Care Allowance

Foster parents receive an allowance for each child under their care, covering the essentials such as food, clothing, bills, and additional expenses like holidays, pocket money, and days out. In addition, a professional fee is included which recognises the unique skills and commitment required within the role. These fostering payments form just part of the foster care benefits available when you foster with us.

Payments are made bi-weekly directly into your bank account, it will vary based on the number of children you foster and their specific needs. When it comes to what benefits foster carers can claim, it’s important to know that foster carers are also eligible for tax relief benefits, enhancing the financial viability of fostering as a career choice. You can find more detailed information on foster carer tax on our dedicated tax webpage and on the UK government’s website.

 

 

“Be There To Care”: A Foster Care Benefits Scheme for New Foster Parents

Transitioning to foster care can be daunting, especially with the initial uncertainty of a stable income. That’s why we’ve created a brand-new scheme that’s unique to us called "Be There to Care". Designed to ease the financial pressure at the start of your journey, it forms part of the benefits for foster carers that help make fostering more accessible.

To help you be available to look after your first child, we will support you financially by paying a fee for the first 10 weeks while awaiting your first placement. We hope that this initiative helps to remove one of the main barriers for people considering fostering, ensuring a smooth transition into foster care.

 

Additional Financial Benefits

As a foster carer, you might also be eligible for a range of discounts and perks through schemes like FosterTalk or other membership providers. These can include savings on everyday essentials such as food shopping, cinema tickets, family days out, school uniforms, and even short breaks or travel. While these benefits may vary, they’re a helpful addition that can make a real difference to family life.

 

Non-Financial Foster Care Benefits

The Benefit of Expert Advice When You Need It

One of the benefits for foster carers working with Family Fostering Partners that’s sometimes often overlooked is having access to expert advice and support whenever you need it. That’s why all our foster parents receive free membership to FosterTalk, an independent organisation offering professional guidance and practical help.

From legal and financial advice to tax and wellbeing support, FosterTalk is there to give foster carers peace of mind, whether you're facing a challenge or just need a second opinion. It’s one more way we make sure you feel supported every step of the way.

 

 

Comprehensive Training and Development

At FFP, we offer extensive training programs that equip foster carers with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the diverse needs of children in care. Our training covers various topics, including trauma-informed care and child development, ensuring you feel confident and prepared in your role. Ongoing development opportunities are also available to help you continue growing as a carer.

 

Dedicated Support Network

From the moment you join our agency, you'll be assigned a dedicated Link Worker who provides continuous guidance and support. Our team is available 24/7 to assist with any challenges you may face, ensuring you're never alone in your fostering journey. We also offer peer support groups and regular events to foster a sense of community among our carers.

 

The True Rewards of Foster Care

While the financial rewards are tangible, it’s often the less obvious rewards that leave a lasting impact. These include:

• The profound satisfaction of making a significant difference in a child's life.
• The expansion of your family circle and the enrichment that comes from new connections.
• Learning from the children in your care, gaining insights into their experiences and perspectives.
• Being part of a supportive community of carers.
• The joy of contributing to a child's development, celebrating their milestones and achievements.
• The flexibility of working from home, balancing fostering duties and family life.
• Giving back to the community, playing an active role in shaping a brighter future for children in need.

 

 

Foster Care Benefits with Family Fostering Partners

Choosing to foster with Family Fostering Partners means stepping into a role backed by extensive support and training. We are a family-run agency committed to providing exceptional care for both foster carers and children.

The decision to become a foster carer is significant, but with Family Fostering Partners, you're never alone. Our agency is built on the principles of support, dedication, and a shared commitment to the welfare of children in our collective care. We understand the complexities and challenges of fostering, and we're here to ensure you have the tools, resources, and community support to thrive.

By fostering with Family Fostering Partners, you gain access to a supportive network and the many foster care benefits that come with it, from training and guidance to emotional support and a sense of belonging. You become part of a larger family, a network of carers, professionals, and children united in the goal of creating positive, lasting impacts. It's an opportunity to transform lives, including your own.

 

Want to Receive These Benefits for Foster Carers?

If you’ve been wondering what benefits can foster carers claim, or are simply looking for more clarity around the benefits for foster carers who join an agency like ours, we’d be happy to talk things through.

If you’re still in the early stages and would like to understand more about how to become a foster parent, we’ve got a dedicated guide that walks you through each step, from your first enquiry right through to your first placement.

Whether you're exploring the possibility of becoming a foster carer or seeking to transition from another agency or local authority, we would love to talk to you. We can be contacted by filling out the contact form.

 

 

Frequently Asked Benefits Questions

What benefits are foster carers entitled to?

Foster carers are entitled to a range of support that recognises the important role they play. This includes a fostering allowance for each child in their care, designed to cover essentials like food, clothing, bills, and activities. In addition to this, foster carers receive a professional fee, reflecting the time, skill, and commitment involved in fostering.

Other foster care benefits may include access to tax relief, ongoing training and development, 24/7 support, and membership to services like FosterTalk, which provide legal advice, counselling, and discounts on everyday expenses. The exact support may vary depending on your agency and local authority, but at Family Fostering Partners, we aim to offer a complete and well-rounded package to every foster parent.

 

Can foster carers get help with a car?

While there isn’t a specific government scheme that gives foster carers a free car, support may still be available. Some fostering agencies, including Family Fostering Partners, understand how essential reliable transport is and may offer enhanced allowances or one-off payments to help with travel-related costs.

As part of the wider benefits for foster carers, some carers also access discounts on vehicle leasing, maintenance, or breakdown cover through services like FosterTalk. If you’re concerned about transport as part of your fostering journey, it’s always worth having a chat with our team, we’ll talk you through the options and see what support may be available.

 

What discounts can foster carers get?

Foster carers may be able to access a range of discounts on things like shopping, days out, travel, and meals through membership schemes or fostering agencies. These perks can vary but are often part of the wider benefits for foster carers.

 

Can foster carers claim universal credit?

Yes, foster carers can claim Universal Credit if they meet the usual eligibility criteria. Fostering payments are not counted as income, but you can’t claim the child element for foster children. Carers are usually exempt from work-related requirements while they have a child placed.

 

Can foster carers claim carers allowance?

Yes, foster carers can claim Carer's Allowance if they meet the eligibility criteria. To qualify, you must provide at least 35 hours of care per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit, such as the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).