Thinking about fostering in Kingston upon Thames and want a clear picture of what you’ll earn? Here’s a straight-talk guide to allowances, fees, and extras for 2025/26 in Kingston, which is served by Achieving for Children (AfC) alongside Richmond and Windsor & Maidenhead. You’ll see how the national minimum allowance works in London, how AfC’s carer fee levels sit on top of that, and which add-on payments (holidays, respite, specialist needs) you can expect. We’ll also explain the tax relief that means many foster carers pay little or no tax on fostering income.
1) The baseline: your weekly allowance (London rates)
Every foster placement has a child’s allowance—money meant to cover day-to-day costs like food, clothing, utilities, travel and activities. In England, the Department for Education sets the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) each April. Because Kingston is in London, the London band applies.
2025/26 weekly minimum allowances (London band):
- Age 0–2: £198
- Age 3–4: £201
- Age 5–10: £225
- Age 11–15: £257
- Age 16–17: £299
AfC’s own 2025/26 policy confirms it matches the DfE minimum for Kingston & Richmond and even shows the daily equivalents (e.g., £42.71/day for 16+). This is your guaranteed allowance per child, per week, while they’re in your care.
What it covers: AfC is clear that this allowance covers a child’s general needs, including clothing, pocket money and day-to-day expenses. If the child has specific needs or higher costs, there are routes to request additional support (more on this below).
2) Your carer fee on top (AfC Levels 1–3)
Alongside the allowance, AfC pays a carer fee (sometimes called a skill or reward fee) to recognise your professional role. The AfC 2025/26 policy sets three fee levels:
- Level 1: £212.55 per week, per child
- Level 2: £283.40 per week, per child
- Level 3: £316.10 per week, per child
(These are in addition to the child’s allowance above.) AfC’s framework explains how levels align with competencies and experience; placements are reviewed for the appropriate band.
A quick example:
If you care for a 14-year-old (London band = £257 allowance) and you’re at Level 2 (£283.40 fee), your combined weekly total would typically be £540.40 (before any extras like mileage or specialist supplements).
Different providers pay differently. IFAs (independent fostering agencies) in and around Kingston may package allowance + fee differently and sometimes sit above local-authority totals for certain placements. Always compare like-for-like and ask for a written breakdown of allowance vs fee when you’re choosing.
3) Extras you can claim: holidays, celebrations, and respite
Holiday & celebration payments
AfC provides an annual holiday allowance for children in placement—up to four weeks’ worth of their weekly age-related allowance, split across two payment windows (summer and winter). There’s also provision for celebration costs (e.g., birthdays, festive periods). The policy explains timing, eligibility (e.g., at least 8 weeks in placement before the run), and that the service can agree a single combined payment for a bigger trip if needed. Keep receipts as the service can request evidence of spend.
Paid respite
AfC’s scheme includes 10 days of paid respite per year for carers with short- or long-term placements, paid at the carer fee rate pro-rata. The child’s allowance follows the child to the respite arrangement; practicalities are coordinated between supervising social workers. In exceptional situations, additional respite can be agreed.
Additional resource panel
Where a placement has higher or emerging needs, AfC’s Additional Resource Panel can consider extra supports—examples include extra therapeutic input, additional respite, or other costs to stabilise the placement. Decisions are needs-led and recorded; your supervising social worker (SSW) submits the request.
4) Mileage, equipment and other practical costs
Standard costs (school runs, contact, activities) come from the weekly allowance, but higher, unusual or distance-based travel (mileage) for specific care tasks may be claimable—this is often agreed case-by-case with your SSW and set out in local policy/finance guidance. AfC’s policy references travel and introductory costs as part of the broader financial framework for placements.
5) How Kingston compares with the rest of England
Two key points:
- London band uplift: Because Kingston sits in the London band, the allowance is higher than the “Rest of England” minimums—recognising higher living costs.
- Fees vary: The allowance is a minimum, but fees are set locally. AfC’s 3-level fee structure is published and transparent; many councils and agencies publish similar tables, and some pay above the minimums for particular needs or skills.
6) The tax position in 2025/26: Qualifying Care Relief (QCR)
Foster carers are self-employed for tax. The QCR scheme gives you a fixed annual amount plus a weekly amount per child, and you only pay tax if your fostering receipts exceed this “qualifying amount.” For 2025/26, the Treasury updated QCR via statutory instrument:
- Fixed household amount: £19,690 per year
- Weekly per child: £415 (aged under 11)
- Weekly per child: £495 (aged 11+)
These updated figures apply for the 2025/26 tax year and onwards. (You’ll still submit a self-assessment, but many carers have no taxable profit after QCR.)
For clarity on how the fostering allowance and fee are treated for tax, HMRC’s HS236 helpsheet explains the rules and options (simple vs profit methods). If you’re unsure, speak to a tax adviser familiar with fostering.
7) Putting it together: realistic weekly totals
Your weekly take-home depends on:
- the child’s age (allowance band),
- your AfC fee level (1–3), and
- any extras (respite taken, holiday/celebration payments, additional resource support, mileage).
Illustration (not a quote):
- Age 5–10 in Kingston: £225 allowance (London band) + £283.40 (Level 2 fee) ≈ £508.40/week.
- Age 16–17 in Kingston: £299 allowance + £316.10 (Level 3 fee) ≈ £615.10/week.
(Your real figure may vary with needs-related supplements, travel and timing of holiday/celebration payments.)
8) Common questions from Kingston applicants
Is the allowance the same as a salary?
No. The allowance is for the child’s costs. Your fee is the element that recognises your skills and time. Providers must at least meet the DfE minimum allowance for the child’s age and region; fees vary by provider and level.
Do I get paid between placements?
Retainers are not automatic; availability depends on your provider’s policy and market needs. Ask AfC (or any agency you’re considering) how they handle gaps, cancellations and notice.
Are there extra payments for high-needs placements?
Yes, but they’re assessed. AfC can authorise supplementary fees or additional resource support where needs justify it (e.g., step-down from residential, complex disability).
What about holidays and birthdays?
AfC pays an annual holiday allowance (up to four weeks of the weekly rate, split across two runs) and makes provision for celebration payments. Keep receipts; the service can request evidence.
Will I pay tax on fostering income?
You’ll complete a self-assessment, but thanks to QCR—£19,690 fixed plus £415/£495 per child per week—many carers pay no tax on fostering income. Check HS236 or seek advice.
9) How to maximise your income ethically (and sustainably)
- Choose the right provider: Compare AfC with several reputable IFAs serving Kingston/New Malden/Surbiton. Ask each for a written breakdown of allowance vs fee, what’s included (training, 24/7 support, therapy access), and typical placement profiles they receive.
- Work toward higher fee levels: Training, consistency and evidence of skills (recording, teamwork, therapeutic approaches) help you progress from Level 1 → 2 → 3.
- Claim properly: Keep mileage logs and receipts for holiday/celebration spend. Know when to ask your SSW to take a case to the Additional Resource Panel.
- Plan your tax: Keep simple records through the year and use the QCR calculation at year-end; it prevents last-minute panic and helps you budget accurately.
Key takeaways for Kingston upon Thames (2025/26)
- Allowance (London band): £198–£299/week based on age, guaranteed minimum. AfC matches these rates for Kingston.
- AfC carer fee: £212.55–£316.10/week per child (Levels 1–3), plus potential supplements for higher needs.
- Extras: Holiday & celebration payments; 10 days paid respite; additional resource support by panel where needed.
- Tax relief: QCR updated for 2025/26 to £19,690 fixed + £415 (under 11) / £495 (11+) per week per child—many carers owe no tax on fostering income.
If you’d like, I can turn this into a Kingston landing page with a comparison box (AfC vs two nearby IFAs), a simple “what you’ll be paid” calculator using the 2025/26 figures, and a short enquiry form so readers can move from research to action in one page.