Frequently Asked Questions

How much do carers get paid?

Foster carers earn different amounts of money depending on how many children they care for, how old the children are, and what 'skills level' they are approved at. At Foster4Leeds, we have a payment structure called "Payment for Skills." Most mainstream carers begin their fostering careers as "Level 2" foster carers and can progress through to Levels 3 and 4 as they gain skills, knowledge and experience. Sometimes people come to fostering with significant relevant skills and experience gained through previous work and may be approved as a "Level 3" or "Level 4" foster carer straight away.

You can find out more about the entry requirements by contacting the Foster4Leeds team by email or on the phone.

Foster carer pay is made up of 2 elements, a child allowance and a carer skills payment. These are as follows:

Child Allowance

Child age	£ per week
0-4	163.56
5-10	186.30
11-15	231.93
16+	282.15

Payment for Skills

PFS Level	£ per week
Level 1	NA
Level 2	134.96
Level 3	191.19
Level 4	247.42

Foster carers can also claim mileage or travel expenses (above the first 25 miles per week) for travel related to fostering.

Foster carers also receive additional money for children's birthday celebrations, summer holidays and celebrations (e.g. Christmas or Eid)

Some examples:

A Level 2 carer looking after 2 children aged 8 and 12 would receive £688.15 per week. When factoring in additional allowances, this is roughly equivalent to £37,450 per year.

A level 3 carer looking after a 14 year old would receive £423.15 per week. This works out at roughly £22,900 per year.

A level 2 carer looking after a one year and a 2 year old would receive £597.04. This works out at roughly £32,350 per year.

Can I work and foster?

Yes, lots of approved foster carers work alongside fostering.

When people are approved as Level 4 foster carers, there is a requirement that at least one foster carer does not work outside of the home, so they are available full time to foster. Level 3 carers may work part time and there are no restrictions for work for level 2 carers.

Do I have to be a homeowner to foster?

You don't have to own your own home to foster. As long as you have a spare room, all we are looking for is that you have a secure tenancy, the permission of your landlord to foster and the ability to provide a safe and loving home to a child.

Does it matter if I'm single?

No, we have many single foster carers. Being single is not a barrier to becoming a foster carer. As part of your assessment, we will be looking to ensure that you have a robust support network.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets can enrich the lives of children in numerous ways. As part of your fostering assessment, your social worker will talk to you about your pet. We cannot approve people to foster who own dogs which are banned breeds, and we may ask for a specialist risk assessment if you own lots of dogs. But generally, as long as there are no hygiene or safety issues, having a pet is not a barrier.

Does having children affect whether I can foster?

Lots of families with their own children choose to foster and the children are an important part of helping fostered children to settle into their home. As part of your fostering assessment, your social worker would work with you to help your children understand about their role in fostering and how to make sure it’s a positive experience for everyone.

Equally, if you don’t have your own birth children, you can foster too. As long as you have a spare room and knowledge of caring for children, perhaps gained through work or spending time with the children of your friends and family, we'd like to hear from you.

What if my DBS isn’t clear?

There are some offences that would prohibit a person from fostering. For example, violent offences or offences against children.

If you have historical offences on your DBS check, your social worker will ask you about the circumstances. We take into account things like whether it was a 'one off' or a pattern of behaviour, and how long ago it happened. If you would like to have a no obligation conversation about your own circumstances, contact the Foster4Leeds team by telephone.

Can foster children share a bedroom with my children?

No, the fostering regulations state that all children in a fostering household over the age of 3 need to have their own bedroom. Babies can have a cot in the foster carers bedroom.

Can I foster if I have a history of mental health issues?

This will be dependent on your own history, how recently and significantly it has affected you and how you are now. All prospective foster carers have a full medical check done with their GP and your fostering assessment would take into account any recommendations.

Can I foster if I have a disability or health condition?

This will be dependent on how your condition or disability affects your day to day life and your ability to meet the needs of a looked after child. All prospective foster carers have a full medical check done with their GP and your fostering assessment would take into account any recommendations.

Can a child be culturally matched to my household?

If it's possible and in the best interest of the child, we would always aim culturally match children and foster carers, especially for long term placements. However, this is not always possible and we expect foster carers to be willing to look after children regardless of their identity.