Becoming a foster carer


Weekly pay for foster carers

Foster carers get allowances to cover the day-to-day expenses of caring for the child. We will also pay you a professional fostering fee.

Weekly rates for less than two years' service

Weekly allowance rates for 2022–23 including professional fostering fee (for carers with less than two years service):

  • £269.30 for children aged 0 to 4 years
  • £300.56 for children aged 5 to 10 years
  • £338.02 for children aged 11 and over

Higher weekly rates available

Your experience as a foster carer is valuable to us and the children waiting for a family. Please talk to us about special rates we offer:

  • up to £348.02 for experienced carers who have been approved for more than two years
  • further enhanced rates based on the needs of the child for a period of time

Weekly allowance rates when caring for children of all ages with disabilities:

  • £399.09 to £419.09

Weekly allowance rate for parent(s) and child placements:

  • £820.47 to £1,048.59

Additional payments

There are additional payments for festivals like Christmas, mileage or day care. Please get in touch for more information regarding any payments which may be available for our foster carers.

Transferring to East Sussex County Council Fostering Service

You can still transfer with a child already in placement, even if they are placed with you by another local authority. We will guarantee that you continue with the same rate of payment for the duration of that placement. We can discuss payment for experienced and transferring foster carers in more detail when you contact us.

Was this page helpful?

Click or tap the rating which best represents your experience.