Allowances and fees

The amount of money our foster carers are paid depends on their skills level and experience, combined with the age and number of children they are looking after.

As a Bedford Borough Foster Carer, you’ll receive a weekly allowance plus a weekly fee for each child.

2023-24 allowances

Age

Fostering allowance per week per child

0 - 4

£160.70

5 - 10

£183.06

11 - 15

£227.89

16+

£277.22

 

Skills level

Fostering fee per week per child

Tier 1

£111.37

Tier 2

£194.91

Tier 3

£428.80

All approved foster carers start at Tier 1 or Tier 2, depending on prior skills and experience.

Tier 3 carers are specialist carers with the additional skills and experience to look after children and young people who display challenging behaviours or have complex needs.

Allowances for the child are also paid for a variety of other reasons such as travel, clothing, birthdays, festivals and holidays.

Get in touch to find out more:

Fostering enquiry

Alternatively, phone us on 01234 718718 or email fostering@bedford.gov.uk.

Download the fostering information pack (PDF).