Allowance
How much would I be paid to foster? An honest range calculator
Pick your region, a child's age band and whether you'd foster through your council or an agency, and you'll see a real, sourced weekly range - never a single cherry-picked figure, and never presented as a salary.
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 24 August 2026 · Last reviewed 24 August 2026
How this calculator works, honestly
The lower figure is always the exact National Minimum Allowance (NMA) for the region and age band you select - the statutory floor every local authority in England must pay at least, for 2025/26. [The Fostering Network, NMA table, 2025/26]
The higher figure depends on the route you choose. For "local authority," it's the sector-average LA weekly fee of £499, which is a real, cited average across all ages and regions in England, not a figure specific to your exact selection. For "independent fostering agency," it's £900/week, the highest rate published by a major IFA (Fostering People, for its most complex placements) - most IFA placements pay less than this, and the figure exists to show you the genuine top of the published range, not a typical outcome. [Sparks Fostering, sector pay comparison]
The two figures in any range shown are not both about the same child - that's deliberate. We would rather show you two honest, separately-sourced numbers than blend them into one smooth-sounding figure that implies more precision than the data supports.
The full 2025/26 National Minimum Allowance table
These are the exact statutory minimums behind the calculator, by region and age band, in pounds per week.
| Region | 0–2 | 3–4 | 5–10 | 11–15 | 16–17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £198 | £201 | £225 | £257 | £299 |
| South East England | £189 | £196 | £216 | £247 | £288 |
| Rest of England | £170 | £176 | £194 | £220 | £258 |
Source: The Fostering Network, National Minimum Allowance table, 2025/26. See the full breakdown and uplift history on our National Minimum Allowance guide and the 2026/27 rates page.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the calculator give a range instead of one number?
Because a single figure would be misleading. The lower end is the exact statutory minimum for your region and the child's age. The higher end is a real published rate from the sector for a different, often more complex, placement type - the two are not the same child, so we show both honestly rather than picking one.
Is this a promise of what I would be paid?
No. Only a local authority or a registered fostering agency can tell you what you would actually be paid for a specific child, and this is not a salary - you are only paid when you have a placement, with no sick pay, holiday pay or pension.
Do I pay tax on fostering allowances?
Most foster carers pay no income tax on their fostering income, because of Qualifying Care Relief, up to a generous threshold plus a per-child weekly amount - though this depends on your total income and circumstances, so it is worth checking with HMRC or an accountant for your own position.