Why Foster with us?

All foster carers receive: 

• an aged-based weekly allowance 
• a skills-based weekly payment 
• annual leave payment 
• generous tax relief 

On top of the financial package Fostering Wakefield offers other fantastic benefits. 

These include: 

• our mainstream foster carers receive a 70% reduction in their council tax bill 
• free gym memberships at all Wakefield Council gyms for fostering households. This includes carers, their partners, birth children, and foster children
• a free family railcard, providing fantastic discounts 
• membership to FosterTalk

Our age-based weekly allowance

We'll pay you a weekly amount based on the child's age. This is to cover all expenses of each child in your care. You’ll receive an allowance per child.  

Jane cares for Sean, who is 14 years old. Because of Sean’s age, Jane receives £213 age-based allowance per week.

Our skill-based weekly payment 

This payment reflects your skills and experience as a carer. Whether you have fostered children before or this is your first time. These amounts are per child. 

Most of our foster carers start on a payment of £133 a week. This is the starting point, otherwise known as Skill Level 2. We offer four different Skill Levels that match your skills and experience. You can progress up the levels as you grow your expertise. With more training and experience, you can earn up to £477 per week as a Skill Level 4 foster carer. 

Jane is an experienced for carer, and receives £239 skill-based payment per week.  

Her age-based allowance and skills-based payment add up to £452 per week.

More allowances:

• holiday and birthday allowances 
• initial clothing allowance 
• school trips 
• health and educational expenses 
• mileage payments

Tax relief and benefits

Foster carers enjoy favourable tax conditions. You don’t have to pay tax on the first £18,140 you earn from fostering. If there are two foster parents in the same household, this amount is shared between you. 

Much of the income earned from fostering is tax-free, thanks to the UK government’s Qualifying Care Relief. This allows you to keep more of your earnings. 

Extra Tax Relief 

On top of the £18,140 exemption, you get extra weekly tax relief for each child in your care: 

• £375 per week for each child under 11 
• £450 per week for each child aged 11 or older 

What impact does this have on your earnings? 

Jane is a foster carer. She looks after: 

• Sean, who is 14 years old for the whole year (52 weeks) 
• Jessie, who is 8 years old for 10 weeks 

Her age-based allowance and skills-based payments for the year add up to £27,764. 

Because of the tax exemption and weekly relief Jane doesn’t have to pay any tax on her fostering income.  

Jane could earn up to £45,290 without paying any tax.  

This includes: 

• the fixed exemption of £18,140 
• weekly relief: 
  
  • £32,400 for the 14-year-old (52 weeks x £450) 
  • £3,750 for the 8-year-old (10 weeks x £375) 

That adds up to £45,290. 

Dedicated support

Our carers all have a qualified link worker to support you. From the application process and throughout your fostering career. They will also visit you at your home to check in, usually every four to six weeks. 

We have a specialist and award-winning Emotional Wellbeing Team. They are on hand to support you and your families' wellbeing. 

The fostering team are also there to answer any queries or provide support at any stage of the process. 

Support groups and our foster carer community 

There are lots of support groups for our foster carers. This includes a specialist induction group for carers in their first year. Which provides: 

• an opportunity for you to meet other foster carers 
• training on specific issues around fostering 
• practical advice and support 

Our foster carers are local people. We have a large network of foster carers across the district all supporting each other. 

Mockingbird Hub

Mockingbird Hubs make sure our foster families feel supported and connected.  
Our foster carers become part of a group who support each other, much like an extended family would. This model nurtures relationships between the children and the foster families. Supporting them to become a resilient and caring community. In each hub, there is an experienced carer, the hub home. They provide support, social events and respite care for a handful of six to ten foster families.

Being part of a hub creates community and support between nearby foster families. We currently have one in Wakefield, and we plan to create a second soon.

“Our home Hub carers are fantastic. They help us foster carers to learn, grow and develop. They also help the children to grow, learn and develop too. It is also a place where we can find advice or a friendly chat. Our hub members have all become friends and have lots in common. Our home Hub carers encourage us all to engage and on socials spend time with each of us. We are proud to be part of this hub and couldn't ask for better Hub carers.”  - A quote from a foster carer in our Mockingbird Hub.

Why we love Mockingbird Hubs?

The support of your hub home means:

• a support network - for advice and help, so you never feel alone   
• respite care – you can take a break when you need it, knowing the children are well cared for 
• social activities - you and your foster families can connect with others 
• guidance and training - learn from experienced hub home carers

When you foster for your local council, you're working with those responsible for children in care within your community.

There are two types of organisations you can foster with. An independent foster agency (IFA) or a local council fostering service (like Fostering Wakefield). Here’s the difference: 

Local authority fostering

Local council fostering services, like Fostering Wakefield, are run by the local council. They provide homes for children within the local community. 

• Fostering with Wakefield Council keeps resources in our community. This helps children in need stay close to home
• Local councils have a community-focused approach and local support networks

Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)

An IFA is a private company that finds and supports foster carers. They work on their own but team up with local councils to find homes for children. This is different from local authority fostering services. 

• IFAs often have more money to help foster carers. This includes fees, training programs, and support
• IFAs cover a wider area, so you might foster children from different places

This does mean that children could have to make a big move away from school and friends. 

Choosing between an IFA and a local council can sometimes feel difficult. Whilst we’re all united in wanting the best for children in care, Fostering Wakefield can offer you:

• payment match - we’ll match payments from your current provider. And you’ll also enjoy a 70% reduction in your council tax
• local support in your area – our social worker’s, team and other carers are from Wakefield. All a phone call or short drive away
• learning and training - we run courses all year round. Some courses are bespoke to foster carers, others delivered through our Learning Academy. All without a long journey cross-country
• community connection - our thriving foster carer network share experiences and support each other
• care for your local area - we know Wakefield and we want the best for our young people
• priority placements - we will always try to place children with our own carers first. And you’ll have fewer placement gaps

Local council

• priority placements: First option for local children
• cost: No recruitment fees for councils
• training and support: Tailored to local need
• community focus: Strong emphasis on local connection

IFA

• priority placements: Second-tier placements
• cost: Agencies charge councils fees
• training and support: May very by agency
• community focus: May involve out of area placement

Why we love to keep it local!

Discover why keeping it local matters, in fostering anyway! Learn how fostering with your local council strengthens communities and transforms lives. Jo and Clare talk about the benefits for the child and the benefits for the foster carers too.

Want to know a bit more about why you should foster with your local authority?

Our podcast outlines the many benefits of fostering with your local authority. Jo and Clare talk about the benefits for the child and the benefits for the foster carers too.

Our team is:

• Jo Hall, Team Manager
• Clare Ruckledge, Advanced Social Work Practitioner

Transferring to us has never been easier

Like what you see? The transfer process is straightforward. We’re on hand to make the transition as smooth as possible for you.   

"The transfer from our IFA to the LA was simple and quick. From the first phone call we were supported through the process. Our assessing social worker was fully-engaged, interested in all of us, incredibly efficient and full of good humour." - Alison, transferred from an Independent Fostering Agency

Ready to find out more?

We recommend contacting our team to talk it over with complete confidentiality. They will be able to give you all the information you need to make a decision.

What is the Fostering Hub Home?

The Fostering Hub Home is more than a residential space. It’s a dedicated hub that addresses some of the most pressing challenges in foster care today. It will provide a stable home for our young people as they transition into foster care. Giving them time to build relationships with their foster carer. Improving their experience and increasing the longevity of the placement.  

For the foster carer, it will provide an opportunity for them to grow. And get the built-in support of the other carers and residential staff.  

Creating a close-knit network of carers, residential staff, and young people. All working together to ensure better outcomes for everyone. 

The purpose of the Hub Home

The Hub Home has three main goals: 

• address the placement shortage by offering a new way of supporting children 
• fewer children will need to stay in children's homes for long periods of time 
• bring together foster carers, residential services staff, and young people. So they can work as a team and create a unique community 

Interested in becoming a Hub Home carer?

The potential for national impact makes this an exciting project. By becoming a Hub Home carer, you’ll play an integral role in shaping the future of foster care in the UK. 

Requirements to join the Fostering Hub Home

We are looking for experienced foster carers who: 

• have experience working with older children (aged 10 to 15) 
• are skilled in building strong and collaborative relationships 
• are open to working alongside residential care staff to support children in care 

We offer a comprehensive support package, including: 

• a tailored training program to prepare you for this unique role 
• you’ll receive a six-week induction alongside the residential staff 
• access to respite care to support your own well-being as a carer 
• this includes a financial incentive and a 70% reduction in council tax for the Hub Home carer