Money

We pay a generous financial package to support you in your role as a foster carer.

From 1 April 2024, we have increased the financial allowances we pay to support our foster carers.

• Our payment structure is based on the age, dynamic of family group and needs of the child
• Our payment system rewards carers who can provide additional support, for example designated leads, training, mentoring and interviewing roles
• Additional annual payments for birthdays, religious festivals and a holiday allowance
• Service award payments for our loyal foster carers who have fostered with us for over 5 years
• A one off £1,145.50 incentive when a sibling group of three or more children are matched and placed at the same time, and fostered for two month
•  If you transfer to us from an independent fostering agency and you are already caring for a Lancashire child at the point of transfer, we will match your current payment until the child is 18 or leaves your care. Find out more about transferring from an agency.

Word of mouth referral payment

We know that word of mouth is our best way to find new carers. Our existing staff and foster carers who refer friends and family* often go on to become some of our most outstanding carers. We offer a word-of-mouth referral fee of £1,651.50* to any existing Lancashire foster carer or Lancashire County Council employee who recommends someone who then goes on to become a mainstream foster carer for Lancashire. The fee is payable to the referrer when the new foster carer is approved and fostering a child for a period of two months.**

*A family or friend is someone the referrer knows on a personal basis and not known to the referrer in a professional capacity through their employment at Lancashire County Council.
**£1,651.50 paid directly via your Lancashire County Council salary. Subject to any payroll deductions, including tax, national insurance and student loans.
*** The name of the Lancashire County Council employee or foster carer making the recommendation must be provided to the fostering team at the time of the initial enquiry or information visit to be eligible for this scheme.

Welcome payment

To show our thanks for choosing Lancashire County Council and to support you at the start of your fostering journey we also pay a fee of £1,145.50 to all new, non-connected foster carers (approved after the 1 January 2021). The fee is paid after you:

• have been approved as foster carers for Lancashire County Council
• continue to be successful in your role as foster carers
• have fostered a child with us for two months.

Our allowances are competitive with neighbouring local authorities and independent fostering agencies.

We're happy to answer any questions you have about money, employment or our payment system and allowances. Give us a call on 0300 123 6723 or complete our enquiry form to find out more.

As a foster carer you may be entitled to claim tax credits and benefits. You can find out more on The Fostering Network's website (external link).

All our foster carers can take on voluntary roles to develop themselves and others. There are also some additional roles which our foster carers can receive extra payments for including becoming a trainer, mentor or sitting on an interview panel for recruiting new staff.

Learn about our other benefits and support when you foster for Lancashire.