How much do UK foster carers get paid per week in 2026/27?

The official GOV.UK 2026/27 National Minimum Fostering Allowance (NMA) for a child aged 11–15 is £227/wk (Rest of England), £255/wk (South East), and £266/wk (London), which covers child maintenance only. By contrast, Ofsted Good and Outstanding Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) pay £465–£555/wk per child (Child Allowance plus a £220–£285/wk Professional Carer Fee), equivalent to a £28,736–£35,194/yr gross PAYE salary.

Do foster carers pay tax on fostering allowances and fees in the UK?

Under HMRC Helpsheet HS236 (Qualifying Care Relief, ITTOIA 2005 Part 7 Chapter 2), foster carers receive a fixed tax-free household allowance of £19,690 per year plus £415/week for each child under 11 and £495/week for each child aged 11 or over. For a single child aged 11+ over 52 weeks, £45,430 per year is 100% free of UK Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance.

Will my foster child be moved if I transfer to a new fostering agency?

No. Under Regulation 28(13) of The Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and Section 4.3 of The Fostering Network Transfer Protocol, the welfare and continuity of the child in placement is paramount. Approved foster carers can transfer to an Ofsted Good or Outstanding Independent Fostering Agency in approximately 28 days via a Simultaneous Panel Day while keeping their foster child safely in placement.

Are foster carers entitled to paid respite and mileage under the National Minimum Standards?

Under National Minimum Standard 21 (NMS 21.6 / 21.8), Regulation 17 of The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, and the DfE Foster Carers' Charter, fostering providers must provide clear social work supervision, 24/7 out-of-hours support, and short-break/respite care. Top-rated IFAs guarantee 14–21 nights of paid respite per year plus 45p/mile tax-free travel expenses under NMS 28.1.

How much do Local Authorities pay Independent Fostering Agencies per placement?

In its Children's Social Care Market Study Final Report, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reported that Local Authorities pay an average commissioning fee of £820/week for an Independent Fostering Agency placement (~£820–£910/week across 2026/27 regional frameworks), with average private IFA operating margins of 19.4%. High-paying Ofsted Good and Outstanding IFAs pass 58%–64% (£465–£555/week) directly to the foster household.

Are kinship and connected foster carers entitled to the same allowance as mainstream carers?

Yes. Under National Minimum Standard 30 (NMS 30) and statutory Family and Friends Care guidance, approved kinship (connected person) foster carers are legally entitled to at least the full age-related GOV.UK National Minimum Fostering Allowance (£227–£266/week for ages 11–15 in 2026/27) and the full £45,430/year HMRC Helpsheet HS236 tax-free ceiling.

Greater London (Inner & Outer London Boroughs) — 2026/27 Fostering Allowance Benchmark & All 93 Ofsted Services

In Greater London, the 2026/27 statutory GOV.UK National Minimum Fostering Allowance (NMA) for ages 11–15 is £266/wk (£205–£309/wk (2026/27 London NMA), child maintenance only) [1], and typical basic council bands average £320/wk. By contrast, Ofsted Good and Outstanding Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) in Greater London pay an average of £555/wk tax-free (£28,860/yr tax-free under HMRC HS236 [2] = £35,195/yr gross PAYE salary equivalent [6]), unlocking a +£12,220/yr household upgrade.

Local Authority Fostering Services in Greater London (33 Ofsted Registered)

Local Authority / Council Trust	Ofsted URN	Ofsted Grade	Basic Weekly Band	Regional 4.8★ IFA Avg	Annual Tax-Free Upgrade
Barking and Dagenham Fostering Service	80486	Requires Improvement	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Barnet Fostering Service	80487	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Bexley Fostering Service	80488	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Brent Fostering Service	80489	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Bromley Fostering Service	80490	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Camden Fostering Service	80491	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
City of London Fostering Service	80426	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Croydon Fostering Service	80492	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Ealing Fostering Service	80493	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Enfield Fostering Service	80494	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Greenwich Fostering Service	80495	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Hackney Fostering Service	80496	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Hammersmith and Fulham Fostering Service	80497	Not yet inspected	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Haringey Fostering Service	80498	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Harrow Fostering Service	80499	Inadequate	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Havering Fostering Service	80500	Inadequate	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Hillingdon Fostering Service	80501	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Hounslow Fostering Service	80503	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Islington Fostering Service	80505	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Kensington and Chelsea Fostering Service	80544	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Kingston upon Thames Fostering Service	80545	Not yet inspected	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Lambeth Fostering Service	80506	Requires Improvement	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Lewisham Fostering Service	80508	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Merton Fostering Service	80510	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Newham Fostering Service	80511	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Redbridge Fostering Service	80512	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Richmond upon Thames Fostering Service	80513	Not yet inspected	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Southwark Fostering Service	80514	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Sutton Fostering Service	80515	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Tower Hamlets Fostering Service	80516	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Waltham Forest Fostering Service	80517	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Wandsworth Fostering Service	80518	Good	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr
Westminster Fostering Service	80519	Outstanding	~£320/wk	£555/wk	+£12,220/yr

Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) in Greater London (60 Ofsted Registered)

Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)	Ofsted URN	Ofsted Rating	Location / Postcode	Regional IFA Benchmark	Gross PAYE Salary Equiv
Achieving For Children	1280297	Good	Kingston Upon Thames KT1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Action for Children Fostering South East	SC038534	Good	LONDON WC2B	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Acuba Fostering	2819058	Not yet inspected	London E1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Amber Fostering	2559288	Good	Ilford IG1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Ansacare Fostering Agency	SC406245	Good	CROYDON CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Apple Fostering Services	SC451751	Good	Harlesden NW10	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Ascent Fostering Agency	SC458129	Outstanding	Wallington SM6	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Avanti Fostering	2587129	Good	Stanmore HA7	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Banya Family Placement Agency	SC033818	Outstanding	LONDON SE24	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Be My Family Fostering Agency	SC402560	Good	FELTHAM TW13	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Britannia Fostering Agency Limited	2637131	Good	Ilford IG1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Capstone Foster Care UK	SC038134	Good	London E15	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Caring Hearts Fostering Ltd	1268883	Good	Stanmore HA7	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Children Of All Nations (COAN)	SC418371	Good	Croydon CR7	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Children Of Colour Ltd	SC057262	Good	Croydon CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Chrysalis Care	SC036587	Good	BEXLEYHEATH DA7	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Compass Fostering London Limited	SC033806	Good	Hornchurch RM12	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Coram Fostering Service	SC034087	Outstanding	LONDON WC1N	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Daffodils Fostering Limited	2631163	Good	Stanmore HA7	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Diagrama Fostering	SC484575	Good	Purley Way CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Diversity Foster Care Ltd	1268928	Good	London SE20	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Family First Fostering Agency	SC453181	Good	London E15	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Five Rivers Fostering Service London and East	SC036616	Good	Romford RM3	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Foster Care Link	SC049096	Outstanding	London N16	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Fostering for You	SC448784	Good	London SW18	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Fostering Innovations	1221446	Good	London UB8	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Fostering London Ltd	SC488788	Outstanding	London N17	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Fostering Support Group:London Office	SC388487	Good	Shortlands BR2	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Greater London Fostering	SC035327	Outstanding	London SE19	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Harmony Fostering Services Ltd	2667750	Good	Harrow HA1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Hatols Fostering Service	1222039	Good	Bromley SE20	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Horizon Fostering Services	SC034908	Good	Kingsbury NW9	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Indigo Fostering	2784231	Not yet inspected	New South Quarter CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Infinity Foster Care	2537401	Good	London IG1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Integrated Fostering Services Ltd	SC400955	Good	ENFIELD EN3	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
ISP Enfield	SC067431	Good	ENFIELD EN2	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Lika Family Fostering	SC489561	Outstanding	Croydon CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Lotus Foster Care Ltd	2563888	Good	Croydon CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
MMR Fostering Limited	2815266	Not yet inspected	London NW10	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
National Fostering Agency London North	2677721	Good	Uxbridge UB8	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
National Fostering Agency London South	2688691	Good	Uxbridge UB8	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Nationwide Fostering	2589848	Good	Uxbridge UB8	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Nexus Fostering Home Counties and East	SC066400	Outstanding	Bessborough Road HA1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Nurture Fostering Ltd	1265010	Good	London SE13	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Outset Fostering Agency Ltd	2581761	Good	Enfield EN3	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Parent and Child Fostering Service	SC442125	Good	Wembley HA0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Phoenix Community Care	SC040334	Good	London N17	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Rainbow Fostering Services Limited	SC031621	Outstanding	HARROW HA2	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Regional Fostering Services Ltd	SC478324	Good	London UB8	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Rising Stars Fostering Ltd	2714788	Good	Ilford IG1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Ryancare Fostering Ltd	SC041354	Good	Wanstead E11	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Shared Care Services Limited	SC416392	Good	Redbridge IG4	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Shine Fostering	SC457831	Good	Southwoodford E18	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Shining Stars Fostering Agency Ltd	1224685	Outstanding	CROYDON CR9	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Stepping Stones Fostering	SC484803	Good	ILFORD IG3	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Subari Foster Care Limited	2667130	Good	Croydon CR0	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Sure Start Fostering Agency	2615940	Good	Ilford IG1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Synergy Fostering	SC043377	Good	London SE16	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Thrive Fostering Ltd	2808457	Not yet inspected	Harrow HA1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr
Wellcare Fostering Services	SC061984	Good	Ilford IG1	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	£35,195/yr

Verified Primary Statutory & Market Sources (2026/27)

[1] GOV.UK NMA 2026/27 (Department for Education): Statutory National Minimum Fostering Allowance (6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027) is £227/wk (Rest of England), £255/wk (South East), and £266/wk (London) for ages 11–15 (full age 0–17 range £176–£309/wk) covering child maintenance only. Official GOV.UK Source
[2] HMRC Helpsheet HS236 (ITTOIA 2005 Part 7 Chapter 2): Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) exempts £19,690/yr fixed household relief plus £415/wk (child under 11) and £495/wk (child 11+) from UK Income Tax (£45,430/yr tax-free ceiling for 1 child aged 11+). Official HMRC HS236 Source
[3] CMA Children’s Social Care Market Study (March 2022 Final Report): Reported an average weekly price paid by Local Authorities for an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) placement of £820/wk (~£820–£910/wk across 2026/27 regional frameworks) with 19.4% average private IFA operating margins. Official CMA Source
[4] Ofsted Social Care Register (491 Fostering Services) & National Statistics: Official inspection directory of 343 Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) and 148 Local Authorities in England (covering 42,190 fostering households & 56,345 approved foster carers). Official Ofsted Source
[5] SI 2011/581 Regulation 28(13) & The Fostering Network Transfer Protocol: Statutory 28-day harmonised agency transfer procedure protecting settled child placements under Section 4.3 Welfare Continuity. Official Legislation.gov.uk Source
[6] DfE National Minimum Standards (NMS 2011) & UK PAYE Equivalence: Standards NMS 15.1 (Safe Matching), NMS 20 (Carer Training), NMS 21.6/21.8 & Reg 17 (SSW Caseloads, 24/7 Support & Paid Respite), NMS 22.9 (LADO Support), NMS 26.2 (Carer Records), and NMS 28.1 (45p/mi Mileage & Allowances). Gross PAYE salary equivalent uses £12,570 Personal Allowance (0%) + 28% combined Basic Rate Tax (20%) & Employee Class 1 NI (8%).