How much do foster parents get paid?

Here at Capstone, we invest in you - our continuous support and highly competitive rate of pay makes our foster parents some of the best equipped in the UK. That’s why, as a Capstone foster carer, your development and well-being is at the heart of all that we do, which is reflected in our competitive weekly fostering allowance. Our rates allow you the freedom to focus wholeheartedly on being a foster parent, and change the lives of those young people in your care.

Our Fostering Allowance Rates

Here at Capstone Foster Care, as an Employee Ownership Trust, we are able to offer competitive fostering rates for our fostering placements.

Standard Placements

Total allowances for most of our standard placements - including respite payments - is in excess of £400 per week, which would work out to be around £1,700 a month or £20,400 a year. We also gift every carer with an annual £200 gift at re-approval stage, and 14 nights short stay support.

Parent and Child Placements

The fostering allowance for parent and child placements is from £670 per week, and the need for this service is increasing.

Therapeutic Placements

The demand for support for foster children with complex requirements is growing. As a result, we have developed a long-standing, highly-successful programme called MATTS. MATTS provides carers with additional training and resources to enable them to accommodate specialist therapeutic placements. Fostering allowances for MATTS placements are between £515 and £600 per week. So, if you look after a child in a MATTS placement for a whole year, your total income will be over £26,780 per child (and £23,000 of this will be tax-free). All necessary training for therapeutic foster care is provided by our team at Capstone, meaning the majority of our carer’s are eligible to provide MATTS placements.  

Our fostering rates are much higher than the national minimum foster parent weekly allowance of £132 - £231 per week. That’s why, by fostering with us rather than your local authority or another independent fostering agency, you’re likely to experience a more competitive rate of pay.

Making the move over to Capstone from your current agency or local authority will provide you with not only more financial security due to an increased fostering allowance, but you’ll also experience a higher level of support and training – due to extra resources. Learn more about the benefits of fostering with an independent fostering agency.

How to transfer to Capstone

Decided to make the switch? When transferring to Capstone Foster Care, the transition couldn’t be easier. Firstly, get in touch with a member of our expert team. We will have this initial conversation with you, which will arrange a visit to your home to discuss what’s involved.

If you’re currently working with a local authority, or another independent fostering agency, we will work alongside them to ensure the process is as seamless as possible, and that any children or young people placed in your care are supported throughout. Find out more information on how to switch fostering agencies now.

Transferring to Capstone is an investment in your future career as we provide constant fostering training and support to help you grow into the best foster carer you can be. As a family-feel agency, we’re here alongside you at every step of your journey. Our extensive support system will build up your confidence in your fostering skills, as well as allowing you the opportunity to develop new skills from our training programmes.

For more information about how much foster parents get paid, or for any support or advice on transferring fostering agencies, get in touch now.