Foster Care Financial Incentive Scheme: Be There to Care

Financial support for foster parents is one of the biggest topics that gets raised with us by individuals researching foster care, those in the very final stages of applying and even transferring  carers. 

Foster parenting or not, one of the biggest challenges to any lifestyle choice, job role or major commitment is managing the financial implications. And becoming a foster parent is no different. In addition, one of the biggest barriers, and something that stops many people from taking that final step, is ensuring that they have enough flexibility in their current work life to meet the demands of fostering. 

Understandably, the idea of stepping away from work, and the security of a regular income, can feel like too big a risk when you’re trying to balance the needs of a child alongside meetings, training and everything else that comes with fostering. While fostering is a paid role with standard weekly allowances and additional payments to help cover the costs of caring, we also recognise that for many, that financial commitment still feels like a hurdle. That's why our Be There to Care scheme offers vital financial support for foster parents, helping to ease these worries.

 

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How 'Be There To Care' Provides Financial Support for Foster Parents

The ‘Be There to Care’ scheme is designed to assist foster parents during the period prior to undertaking their first child placement. It isn't just there to act as a foster care financial incentive scheme, but to provide help aid in the transition to becoming a foster parent..

Family Fostering Partners offers foster parents a weekly payment for up to 10 weeks. This payment is designed to help cover living expenses and any associated costs, ensuring they can be fully available and prepared to accept a matched foster placement.

 

Our Founder's Perspective: The 'Be There to Care' Foster Care Financial Incentive Scheme

“This is a ‘first of its kind scheme’, and we are hoping that our offer to support future foster parents financially will make the decision to become a foster parent less daunting and instil faith in applicants that they are with an agency that really cares,” Judith the Managing Director explains. “We currently provide a generous fostering allowance as well as full support and training to carers throughout their entire application and placement length – short or long-term. So, if you decide to become an approved foster carer, with Family Fostering Partners, be assured you are not on your own. You will have all the support, training, and guidance necessary to make fostering a success”.

 

 

Who Can Foster & Benefit From Our Foster Care Financial Incentive Scheme?

Foster carers come from all walks of life, and there’s no one single type of person who makes a good foster parent. When it comes to who can foster, what matters most is having the time, space, and commitment to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home for a child who needs it.

You don’t need to be married, own your home, or have children of your own. Foster carers can be single, couples, in same-sex relationships, or living with extended family. People from all cultural, religious, and professional backgrounds foster successfully, it’s your personal qualities that count.

To foster, you must be at least 21 years old, have a spare bedroom, and be able to provide the time and emotional availability that children in care need. Beyond that, we look at your ability to offer patience, empathy, resilience, and a willingness to learn. Every foster parent receives full training and ongoing support to help build their skills and confidence along the way.

Anyone who decides to give up work to foster with us at Family Fostering Partners is eligible for our foster care financial incentive scheme. It’s our way of supporting new foster parents as they take their first steps into fostering, helping to ease the transition and show our appreciation for the incredible difference you’re about to make.

 

Why is it Important to Become a Foster Carer?

Becoming a foster carer means stepping into a vital role that offers not only day-to-day care but also the chance to fundamentally change a child's trajectory. You provide stability when their world feels chaotic, you advocate for their education and wellbeing, and you help them develop the crucial life skills they need to thrive. Beyond the immense personal satisfaction of witnessing a child begin to flourish, there's the knowledge that you are contributing directly to the welfare of your community and offering a lifeline to a child who deserves a better future. It's a challenging path, certainly, but the rewards of seeing a child heal, build trust, and reach their potential are truly immeasurable.

There's an urgent need for more foster families across the country right now. Each year, thousands of children enter the care system, and with a notable increase in referrals in recent times, the demand for nurturing homes far outweighs the number of available foster carers. This means vulnerable children are left without the safe, loving environment every young person deserves.

Without this crucial stability, children can be profoundly affected in many ways, impacting everything from their ability to form healthy relationships to how they learn to process and regulate their emotions. This is precisely why fostering is among the most profoundly rewarding commitments one can make. It's a role that empowers you to genuinely transform a young person's life. Whether offering a secure haven for a short period or guiding a child through their education and helping them unlock their full potential, the work of a foster parent is absolutely critical in providing vulnerable, and often misunderstood, children with the opportunity for a brighter future.

 

 

How Family Fostering Partners Supports New Foster Parents 

Choosing the right fostering agency is one of the most important decisions you’ll make on your fostering journey. At Family Fostering Partners, we believe the difference lies in the people, the support, and the approach we take to help both carers and children thrive.

 

Support Every Step of the Way

When you foster with Family Fostering Partners, you’re never on your own. From your very first enquiry through to welcoming a child into your home, you’ll have ongoing access to expert guidance, practical help and a team who truly care. Our foster carers receive 24/7 support, regular supervision, and comprehensive training to ensure they feel equipped and confident throughout every stage of their fostering journey.

Every carer also benefits from free FosterTalk membership, which provides additional advice, resources, and legal support if ever needed. Many carers describe the support they receive with us as being part of one big extended family, that’s exactly how we want it to feel.

 

Personalised Matching 

No two foster carers are the same, and neither are the children who need them. That’s why we take the time to get to know you, your household, and your strengths, to ensure every placement is carefully matched. We work closely with you and the local authorities to ensure that when a child comes into your care, the placement is as stable, well-suited, and positive as possible for everyone involved.

 

 

Family Run Agency

As an independent, family-run fostering agency, Family Fostering Partners are proud to have deep roots across Wales. We understand the communities we work in, and offer bilingual support in both Welsh and English. Our carers also have access to regular meetups, peer support groups, and community events that help build strong, lasting connections with other fostering families.

 

Financial Support That Reflects Your Commitment

Financial support for foster parents is imperative. Fostering is a huge commitment, both emotionally and practically. We make sure our foster carers receive financial support that reflects the level of care they provide. This includes a competitive weekly fostering allowance, additional payments for birthdays, holidays and celebrations, and our Be There To Care scheme, which helps support families financially during the early stages of fostering before their first placement arrives.

 

Training

At Family Fostering Partners, training isn’t a one-off, it’s a continuous process designed to give you the knowledge, skills and confidence you need at every stage. Before you’re approved, you’ll complete the Skills to Foster course, which introduces you to key aspects of fostering and helps prepare you for your first placement. Once approved, you’ll work through a carefully designed Core Training Programme that covers subjects such as attachment, safeguarding, therapeutic parenting, and child development. As your experience grows, you’ll continue to receive further training tailored to both your development and the needs of the children in your care. The aim is simple: to make sure you always feel well-supported, capable, and ready for whatever fostering brings.

 

If our foster care financial incentive scheme sounds like something you would like to explore further, we encourage you to take the next step. Becoming a foster parent is a deeply impactful journey, offering a lifeline to vulnerable children and immense personal fulfilment. To learn more about the process of fostering, please visit our comprehensive how to become a foster parent page. Alternatively, if you are ready to make the move into fostering, we'd love to chat with you directly and answer any questions you may have, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team today.

 

 

Financial Support for Foster Parents FAQs

How much financial support do foster carers get?

Foster carers receive a weekly fostering allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child, plus additional payments for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. The exact amount varies depending on the child’s age, needs, and the type of fostering you do. Independent agencies like Family Fostering Partners often provide higher levels of financial support, alongside full training and 24/7 support.

 

What are the financial benefits of fostering a child?

Fostering provides a regular fostering allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child, along with extra payments for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. All foster carers also benefit from tax relief, meaning a large part of their fostering income is tax-free. With agencies like Family Fostering Partners, there may also be additional schemes available to provide financial support before your first placement.