Fostering
Finance
Following discussions between the Scottish Government and COSLA, it has been announced that the Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) for Foster and Kinship Carers will be introduced and backdated to 1 April 2023.
We are currently working towards the implementation of this and will update the allowances below in due course.
As an approved foster carer/short breaks carer you will receive a weekly maintenance allowance for each child in your care. The amount of the allowance is dictated by the age of the child.
Child allowances
| Age | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | £168.31 |
| 5 - 10 | £195.81 |
| 11 - 15 | £197.56 |
| 16+ | £268.41 |
We operate a Payment for Skills Scheme, whereby foster carers receive a weekly fee in addition to an allowance for each child they care for. The Scheme recognises the skills and experiences of foster carers and their fee reflects this. There are 3 levels of skill fee; new carers will normally begin on level 1.
| Level | Rate |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | £154.07 |
| Level 2 | £200.31 |
| Level 3 | £246.49 |
In addition to fees and allowances foster carers will also be able to claim for the equipment they need for the fostering task and travelling expenses incurred whilst fostering.
Fuller details of all the financial supports will be outlined in more detail during your assessment.
More information on tax for foster carers and tax for shared carers can be found at HMRC.