The allowances paid by the Suffolk Fostering Service are the Nationally Recommended Rates set by The Fostering Network. These allowances will not effect any benefit entitlement you may have, and are not counted as income for taxation or benefit purposes.
April 2013 - March 2014 Allowances
| Age of Child | Weekly Allowance |
| 0 - 4 years | £137.18 |
| 5 - 10 years | £156.26 |
| 11 - 15 years | £194.53 |
| 16 years and over | £236.64 |
We also provide additional allowances, equivalent to the weekly amount for each age group for:
- the child's birthday
- religious festivals (paid in December)
- 2 weeks allowances to cover a holiday or holiday activities
- up to 21 days paid respite
We also pay mileage for additional travel expenses, for example taking a child to contact, attending meetings and specialist medical appointments.
Download the Suffolk Fostering Service Schedule of Allowances for 2013 - 2014.
Skills level 2 Fee Paid Scheme
Foster carers who have experience of caring for children with complex needs and can demonstrate enhanced skills, may be eligible to apply for the Skills Level 2 scheme. You may have gained this experience through already having fostered for Suffolk or another fostering agency, through residential care or other related work. In addition to the weekly allowance (please see above) you will also receive a weekly fee.
Weekly Fee
1st child - £200
2nd or 3rd child - £100
Multi-dimensional treatment foster-care (MTFC)
Carers assessed and approved for the MTFC programme will receive a weekly fee of £400 in addittion to the weekly allowance (Please see above)
Caring for a child aged 11 - 15 you would receive a weekly payment of £594.93
Caring for a child aged 16 years or over you would receive a weekly payment of £636.64
MTFC carers providing short-breaks will receive the allowances and fees pro rata for each 24 hr period of care provided.
Visit the MTFC programme page for more information.
HM Revenue and Customs free e-learning package for foster carers
Find out how to register for tax, what business expenses you can claim for, how your tax and national insurance is worked out and more; thanks to a tax tutorial exclusively for foster carers, designed by the HMRC.
