Support for foster carers

Your Supervising Social Worker

As a foster carer with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, you will be allocated your own dedicated Supervising Social Worker (SSW).

Our Supervising Social Workers have a wealth of experience supporting foster carers. Your Supervising Social Worker will be your point of contact within the Children's Fostering and Carers Team at the Council.

They will:

• provide regular supervision, guidance and emotional support
• offer advice on child development, trauma and attachment
• support in completing training and development standards and identify training needs for professional development
• ensure you have access to support groups and professional services

Foster carer allowance

Foster carers receive a realistic allowance to cover the everyday expenses that caring for a child involves, including food, clothing, pocket money, social, leisure activities and clubs, plus additional household expenses. This is paid directly into the foster carers bank account on a weekly basis.

The current government allowance for foster carers ranges from £176 to £267 per week per child, depending on the age of the child. This is reviewed annually alongside the Government's recommended National Minimum Rates.

Extra payments are given to cover the costs of special occasions including birthdays, Christmas, religious festivals and summer holidays. A discretionary clothing allowance between £125 and £200 may also be given when a child is placed, based on individual circumstances and on a 6 monthly basis.

Foster carers will also receive a weekly professional fee for each child in their care to recognise the commitment and dedication of our foster carers. The amount paid depends on experience, specialist skills, mandatory training and the needs of the child or children being cared for. This fee is in addition to the government allowance and can vary from an additional £100 to £350 per child per week.

In addition to the above, in recognition of foster carers' loyalty and ongoing commitment to training and development, an annual appreciation payment of £500 will be awarded, subject to a positive annual review.

Tax and National Insurance

As a foster carer, you may have questions about what tax and national insurance you need to pay. HMRC has developed an e-learning course to help guide you through everything you need to know. There are useful tips and practical case studies as part of the course which you can do at your own pace.

Start the free e-learning course

Further information

For more information read the Fostering Service Statement of Purpose.