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.

Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) vs. Local Authority Fostering Pay (2026/27 UK Benchmark)

In its Children’s Social Care Market Study [3], the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reported that Local Authorities pay an average commissioning fee of £820/wk for an IFA placement (~£820–£910/wk on 2026/27 frameworks), yet basic council bands often pay only the £227–£266/wk statutory National Minimum Allowance [1]. Ofsted Good & Outstanding IFAs pass £465–£555/wk directly to the foster household (Child Maintenance Allowance + £220–£285/wk Professional Fee).

2026/27 UK Regional Allowance, IFA Pay & PAYE Salary Equivalence Matrix

2026/27 UK Regional Fostering Allowance, IFA Pay & HMRC HS236 Tax-Free Benchmark Table
UK Region	2026/27 GOV.UK NMA (11–15) [1]	Typical Council Basic Band	Ofsted Good/Outstanding IFA Avg	Annual Tax-Free Upgrade [2]	Gross PAYE Salary Equiv [6]
North West	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£255/wk	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	+£11,960/yr	£30,139/yr
Yorkshire & the Humber	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£248/wk	£475/wk (£24,700/yr tax-free)	+£11,804/yr	£29,417/yr
West Midlands	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£260/wk	£490/wk (£25,480/yr tax-free)	+£11,960/yr	£30,501/yr
East Midlands	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£252/wk	£480/wk (£24,960/yr tax-free)	+£11,856/yr	£29,778/yr
Greater London	£266/wk (£205–£309/wk (2026/27 London NMA))	£320/wk	£555/wk (£28,860/yr tax-free)	+£12,220/yr	£35,195/yr
South East	£255/wk (£195–£298/wk (2026/27 South East NMA))	£290/wk	£525/wk (£27,300/yr tax-free)	+£12,220/yr	£33,028/yr
South West	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£258/wk	£485/wk (£25,220/yr tax-free)	+£11,804/yr	£30,139/yr
East of England	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£278/wk	£505/wk (£26,260/yr tax-free)	+£11,804/yr	£31,584/yr
North East	£227/wk (£176–£267/wk (2026/27 Rest of England NMA))	£240/wk	£465/wk (£24,180/yr tax-free)	+£11,700/yr	£28,695/yr
Wales & Scotland	£229/wk (£208–£260+/wk Wales NMA · £177.68–£283.35/wk Scotland SRA (2026/27))	£265/wk	£490/wk (£25,480/yr tax-free)	+£11,700/yr	£30,501/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%).