What payments can foster carers receive?

Money is not the main motivating factor for most people who want to become foster carers. However, we understand that income is often an important consideration in order to be financially stable to support the children in your care and the rest of your family.

It's important that you understand what fostering will mean for your finances, now and in the future. Foster carers are self-employed and are subject to special tax rules which often mean they can be exempt from paying tax on all or most of their fostering income.

There are annual requirements for tax returns, national insurance contributions and benefits. As an ESCC foster carer, you receive membership to The Fostering Network who have free resources to help you with advice and information and you can also refer to GOV.UK. More helpful links on our payments page.

Payment calculator

Use our payment calculator to see approximately how much money you could receive per year as a foster carer for East Sussex County Council*

*Please note: Calculations are for guidance purposes only and combine the fostering maintenance allowance and professional fee based on caring for each child for a full year (52 weeks). The actual amount of money foster carers will receive depends on a number of different factors which we can discuss with you in more detail when you contact us directly.