New data has uncovered a startling disparity in the payments made to foster carers across the UK, with some families earning up to £38,000 more than others. The findings, highlighted in a report by The Fostering Network, paint a picture of a postcode lottery that leaves many foster carers struggling financially.
The report, Out of Pocket: Fairer Fees for Foster Carers, reveals that some foster carers receive as little as £100 per week, with the luckiest earning £732 per week—equating to a massive £38,000 difference over the course of a year. Almost half of all fostering services in the UK are only offering between £100 and £200 per week, which amounts to an annual income of just £5,200 to £10,400.
Sarah Thomas, CEO of The Fostering Network, voiced her concerns: “It is completely unacceptable that there is such a vast difference in fees paid to foster carers. We need governments across the UK to urgently review foster carer payments and address these discrepancies. If foster carers aren’t properly supported, we risk losing them and will continue to struggle in recruiting new carers.”
Foster carers, who give up their jobs to look after vulnerable children, rely heavily on these fees. Around 60% of foster carers in England, Scotland, and Wales, and 45% in Northern Ireland, do not have outside employment, making fostering their only source of income.
Whilst the love and care for children are the main motivators for most foster carers, inadequate fees make it harder for them to cover the rising cost of living. The Fostering Network is urging each UK government to introduce a national fee framework that reflects the essential role foster carers play in society.
Currently, there is no national guidance on foster carer fees in the UK, despite the existence of national minimum allowances (NMA) that cover the basic costs associated with the care of a foster child. Fees, meant to compensate carers for their time and commitment, are separate from these allowances but are far from standardised.
Without significant reform, The Fostering Network warns that the disparity in fees will continue to drive people away from fostering, leaving children in need of stable homes without proper care.
