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.

North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire, Cheshire) — 2026/27 Fostering Allowance Benchmark & All 105 Ofsted Services

In North West, the 2026/27 statutory GOV.UK National Minimum Fostering Allowance (NMA) for ages 11–15 is £227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA), child maintenance only) [1], and typical basic council bands average £255/wk. By contrast, Ofsted Good and Outstanding Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) in North West pay an average of £485/wk tax-free (£25,220/yr tax-free under HMRC HS236 [2] = £30,139/yr gross PAYE salary equivalent [6]), unlocking a +£11,960/yr household upgrade.

Local Authority Fostering Services in North West (21 Ofsted Registered)

Local Authority / Council Trust	Ofsted URN	Ofsted Grade	Basic Weekly Band	Regional 4.8★ IFA Avg	Annual Tax-Free Upgrade
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Fostering Service	80430	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Blackpool Council Fostering Service	80431	Requires Improvement	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Cheshire East Council Fostering Service	80447	Inadequate	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Cheshire West and Chester Council Fostering Service	80448	Requires Improvement	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Cumbria County Council Fostering Service	2733690	Not yet inspected	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Halton Borough Council Fostering Service	80471	Inadequate	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Knowsley Council Fostering Service	80479	Not yet inspected	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Lancashire County Council Fostering Service	80480	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Liverpool City Council Fostering Service	80485	Inadequate	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Manchester City Council Fostering Service	80521	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Oldham Council Fostering Service	80535	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Rochdale Borough Council Fostering Service	80542	Requires Improvement	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Salford City Council Fostering Service	80548	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Sefton Council Fostering Service	80550	Inadequate	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
St Helens Council Fostering Service	80560	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Fostering Service	80562	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Fostering Service	80569	Inadequate	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Trafford Council Fostering Service	80573	Requires Improvement	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Warrington Borough Council Fostering Service	80575	Good	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Wigan Council Fostering Service	80579	Requires Improvement	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr
Wirral Council Fostering Service	80581	Requires Improvement	~£255/wk	£485/wk	+£11,960/yr

Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) in North West (84 Ofsted Registered)

Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)	Ofsted URN	Ofsted Rating	Location / Postcode	Regional IFA Benchmark	Gross PAYE Salary Equiv
A1 Foster Care	1232379	Not yet inspected	Darlington DL1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Acorn Care (NE) Ltd	SC463071	Not yet inspected	Darlington DL1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Acorn House (Fostering Services)	SC377311	Good	Oldham OL8	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Action For Children Fostering	SC036242	Good	DONCASTER DN4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Alpha Plus Fostering Limited	SC069335	Outstanding	Oldham OL8	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Assured Fostering	2715638	Good	Bolton BL1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Barnardos Fostering North England	SC042759	Good	North Tyneside NE28	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Barnardos North West Fostering Service (NW Region)	SC040580	Good	Liverpool L24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Beacon Fostering Limited	2793200	Not yet inspected	Manchester M22	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering	SC448211	Good	Darlington DL3	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Brighter Fostering Limited	2651004	Not yet inspected	Leeds LS9	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
By the Bridge North West	SC066501	Good	Styal SK9	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Capstone Foster Care	SC065333	Good	Heywood OL10	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Caritas Care	SC037797	Good	PRESTON PR2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
CFS Care Limited	2503134	Good	Manchester M46	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Changing Futures Fostering Limited	2594802	Good	Hartlepool TS24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Child Action North West	SC036972	Good	Blackburn BB1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Chrysalis Consortium Ltd	SC456174	Good	Sheffield S7	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Compass Fostering North Limited	SC405567	Good	BRADFORD BD5	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Cuffe And Lacey Fostering	2592566	Outstanding	Burnley BB12	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Excel Fostering Limited	SC396525	Good	Blackpool FY4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Faith Fostering	2817125	Not yet inspected	Preston PR1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Family Care Fostering	SC450903	Good	PRESTON PR5	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Family Foster Care	SC483928	Outstanding	Balby DN4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
First for Fostering Ltd	2618526	Good	Darlington DL3	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Flourish Fostering (North)	2742835	Good	Stockport SK2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Care Associates North East	SC037579	Outstanding	Durham DH1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Care Associates North West	SC040408	Good	Chorley PR7	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Care Associates Yorks and Lincs	SC038256	Outstanding	Sheffield S9	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Care Matters	2783211	Not yet inspected	CHESTER CH2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Care Solutions	SC413428	Good	CHESTER LE STREET DH2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Careline	SC408585	Good	Hooton CH66	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster Cares Ltd	SC036057	Good	Peterlee SR8	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Foster for Bradford, Bradford Children and Families Trust	2725774	Good	Bradford BD5	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Fostering Changes Life	2586729	Good	Haslingden BB4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Fostering Ltd	SC488290	Good	Rossendale BB4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Fostering North East	SC033542	Good	Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Fostering Solutions	SC033219	Outstanding	Bolton BL1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Fostering To Inspire	1259729	Good	Wakefield WF4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Fusion Fostering North West	1225624	Good	Chorley PR7	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Lorimer Foster Services	SC059742	Good	Sale M33	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
National Fostering Agency	1234377	Good	Warrington WA3	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
National Fostering Agency North	2533109	Good	Elland HX5	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Next Stage For Fostering Ltd	1241412	Outstanding	Westhoughton BL5	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
North West Fostering	1226858	Good	Salford M6	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Olive Branch Fostering Ltd	1230838	Outstanding	Rawtenstall BB4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Orange Grove Fostercare Northwest	SC485778	Outstanding	Lower Stretton WA4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Orange Grove Fostercare Yorkshire	SC485769	Outstanding	Donaster DN4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Orchard Care (North East)	SC065119	Not yet inspected	Durham DH7	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Organic Fostering Ltd	2752487	Good	Manchester M16	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Parallel Parents	SC067795	Outstanding	Stockport SK2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Parallel Parents East	2742886	Good	Cleckheaton BD19	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Parallel Parents West	2700992	Good	Eccleston WA10	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Reach-Out Care	SC036188	Outstanding	Framwellgate Moor DH1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Safe Base Fostering Ltd	1232651	Good	Rotherham S63	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Safehouses Fostering	SC066668	Outstanding	Oldham OL3	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Silver Lining Fostering	1277596	Outstanding	Hounslow TW4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Sparks Fostering	2700371	Good	Manchester M15	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Sunbeam Fostering (Northwest) Limited	2820633	Not yet inspected	Blackburn BB1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
SWIIS Foster Care Limited	SC358729	Outstanding	LEEDS LS12	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
SWIIS Foster Care Limited	SC036081	Outstanding	Durham DH1	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
SWIIS Foster Care Limited	SC043551	Outstanding	MANCHESTER M16	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
TACT Fostering - East Midlands	SC043094	Outstanding	Blyth NE24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
TACT Fostering - London and the South East	SC063688	Outstanding	Blyth NE24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
TACT Fostering - North West	SC047548	Outstanding	Blyth NE24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
TACT Fostering - West Midlands	SC056442	Good	Blyth NE24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
TACT Fostering Yorkshire & North East	SC448336	Good	Blyth NE24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Tact Fostering: East, West and North London, Hertfordshire, and Essex	SC063688	Good	Blyth NE24	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Team Fostering	SC060698	Good	Sheffield S9	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Team Fostering	SC033433	Good	NORTH SHIELDS NE29	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
The Children's Family Trust	SC477734	Good	Wakefield WF2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
The Children's Family Trust	SC402365	Good	BISHOP AUCKLAND DL14	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
The Ethical Fostering Service Limited	1274892	Good	Cottingham HU16	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
The Fostering Company	SC461357	Good	Killingworth NE12	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
The Together Trust Fostering Service	SC031288	Good	Cheadle SK8	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Therapeutic Fostering Ltd	1236901	Outstanding	Preston PR2	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Three Circles Fostering Limited	SC443768	Outstanding	Wilmslow SK9	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Thrive Foster Care Ltd	2727994	Good	Rossendale BB4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Together For Children Fostering - Sunderland	1254786	Outstanding	Sunderland SR3	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Tree House Care Fostering Solutions	SC033189	Good	Grimsby DN32	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Tutis Foster Care	SC489594	Outstanding	Whitehaven CA28	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
UK Fostering North East	2587198	Good	Sunderland SR5	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Unity Foster Care	1228523	Good	Leeds LS15	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/yr
Young People At Heart	2500324	Good	DONCASTER DN4	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	£30,139/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%).