Some cookies used are essential to providing a service, while others help us improve your experience and provide us with insights into how the site is being used.
For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our Cookies page.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. For more information on how these cookies work, please see our 'Cookies page'.
We'd like to allow Social Media cookies to provide a richer experience. These cookies will allow us the ability to list Fife Council tweets and Facebook posts, Google maps, audio clips & Videos on some of our pages. Our videos use Youtube's privacy-enhanced mode.
These cookies allow us to show relevant adverts to the content you are viewing. They also provide the ability to deliver targeted online advertising across other platforms like Facebook, Google, Instagram and the Quantcast network.
If you are considering fostering a child or young person, it's important to consider the financial implications.
In Fife, foster carers receive a weekly allowance for themselves and a weekly maintenance payment to cover the expense of looking after the child. This payment varies depending on the age of the child. In addition the Scottish Government offers generous tax allowances which mean the majority of foster carers pay no tax.
Our foster carer fees start from £289.02 per week, rising to £447.03 per week after one full year, subject to carers meeting the required standards and having appropriate experience.
Here are some examples combining weekly allowances and maintenance payments:
One child (8-15 years old) :-
up to £27,224.93 annually
One child (8-15 years old):-
up to £35,441.41 annually
| Ages | Rates |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | £177.68 |
| 5-10 | £206.71 |
| 11-15 | £206.71 |
| 16-18 | £283.30 |
| Summer = 2 weeks maintenance | Easter = 1 weeks maintenance |
| October = 1 week maintenance | Birthday = 1 week maintenance |
| Christmas = 2 weeks maintenance |
| Fees per year | Rates |
|---|---|
| First year | £289.02 |
| After one full year | £447.03 |
| £50 per week |
Short break foster carers offering respite placements are paid one day’s fee and one day’s maintenance allowance for each full night of placement.
Foster carers who offer short break placements in addition to full time placements are paid one day’s maintenance allowance for each full night of placement.
Most Foster Carers do not pay tax on their fostering income due to a scheme called Qualifying Care Relief.
Example:
Laura fosters a 14‑year‑old all year and an 8‑year‑old for 10 weeks. Her total tax‑free amount is £51,570, so she pays no tax on her fostering payments.
For full details and to check individual circumstances, carers are directed to the UK Government website:https://www.gov.uk/support-for-foster-parents/tax-arrangements
The Fostering Network also have lots of information and FAQs about tax and National Insurance for foster carers, which are also very helpful: Tax and National Insurance for Foster Carers | Financial Guidance | The Fostering Network
