Training and support for foster carers

All our carers receive a generous financial support, including a taxable income as well as a weekly allowance to help with the cost of looking after a child. 

We know that foster carers work hard and devote their time, expertise and love to those children who have not had the best start in life. 

All foster carers receive a financial allowance to help with the cost of looking after their foster child. 

The allowance supports: 

• food 

• clothing 

• household expenses 

• pocket money 

• bus or travel fares 

• holidays 

• birthdays, Christmas and other festival gifts. 

As a foster carer, you will also receive a taxable income in recognition of your dedication. Foster carers don’t receive a Barnardo’s pension, so we advise you to arrange a private pension plan.

Find out more about the financial support available to foster carers.

Foster carers now benefit from a fixed tax exemption of up to £18,140 per year (less if you foster for a shorter period), so you don’t have to pay tax on the first £18,140 income (after expenses) you make from fostering.    

On top of the £18,140 exemption, foster carers also get tax relief for every week that a child is in their care. This means you don’t have to pay tax on some of your income over £18,140.  

You can find more information about tax arrangements for foster carers on the Government’s website. 

Note: All tax relief and exemption information sourced from the GOV.UK website.  

Last updated: June 2024

As well as having direct contact with a dedicated and qualified social worker, you'll have 24 hour access to our caring team of social workers and the confidence of knowing that you can talk to them confidentially.

Our foster carers are reviewed each year to ensure the children in their care are always receiving the support they need. You can benefit from extensive training, both face-to-face and online, helping you to gain new skills and enhance existing ones and we'll be with you every step of the way. 

Finding quality time can be difficult when taking care of a child. If you or the young person in your care need a few hours, days or weeks to recharge your energy – we’ll provide other carers to look after your foster child.

By attending our support groups, you will get the opportunity to meet with other foster carers and social workers to discuss your fostering experiences. The support groups are attended by new and established foster carers, allowing each person to benefit from others' support and expertise. 

As a Barnardo’s foster carer, you will also benefit from membership with the Fostering Network, a body which represents foster carers in the UK – influencing and shaping policies related to fostering. Membership will give you access to an informative website, regular newsletters and discounted training. 

Barnardo's is also proud to be a member of Fairer Fostering; a group of voluntary and non-profit fostering agencies across the UK, whose members look after over 2,000 children in care.

Barnardo’s is a member of New Family Social Network, the UK’s peer support network for foster carers and adopters who identify as LGBT+. 

When you foster through Barnardo’s, you become a member of the NFS network meaning you’ll have access to dedicated online forums and a wealth of events held across the country – some for all the family and some are for the parents only.