Fostering Fees

This page is known as: www.birmingham.gov.uk/fostering-fees

Birmingham's Fostering Service pays competitive fees with a current maximum payment of up to £411.88 per week per child placed. We also pay set-up fees, equipment maintenance fees, holiday allowances and expenses for birthday and cultural celebrations to make sure that every child enjoys as complete a family life as possible.

Details are provided in the two-step fees summary below.

Step 1 - Contractual Fee Payments
(excluding Family and Friends carers)

Step 2 - Maintenance Rates for all Foster Carers

Holiday Allowances for all foster carers.
One-off, annual sum payable per child in placement

Notes

• New temporary carers will start on Level 2 or 3.
• Long-term carers will be paid at Level 2 or 3 or 4, depending upon skills required.
• Approved emergency carers are paid on a continuous basis and work shift patterns of four weeks on duty and two weeks off. Rates are a weekly fee at Level 4 of £428.26 for one child, £600.11 at Level 5 for two children and £723.03 at Level 5 for three children.
• Respite carers will be paid fees and maintenance at the same rates as full-time temporary carers, but on a pro-rata (day-by-day or week-by-week) basis, depending upon how long children stay.
• Where there are exceptional circumstances, allowances are available upon application.
• A Carer Recruitment Fee of £500.00 is earned by existing foster carers by recommending a new foster carer. This is payable in two parts, £150.00 initially and the remainder of £350.00 is payable upon the new carer’s first placement.
• Level 4 carers asking to increase their numbers will be paid at Level 3 for the additional child. They can apply for Level 4 via a 'Progressions Panel'.

Please note that although fostering payments are taxable, there is a very generous exemption allowance.

For more information contact Birmingham Adoption and Fostering Service