Fostering
Fostering in Richmond upon Thames: What You’ll Be Paid in 2025
Thinking about fostering in Richmond upon Thames this year—or already approved with Achieving for Children (AfC)? Here’s a clear, up-to-date breakdown of what you’ll be paid in 2025/26, how the national minimum allowance works in London, what AfC pays locally (including carer fees, holiday payments, paid respite and the new council tax reimbursement), and how tax relief affects your take-home.
First things first: allowance vs. fee
- Allowance = the child’s maintenance: food, clothing, utilities, transport, hobbies, school costs, etc.
- Fee (often called a reward, professional or skill payment) = a weekly payment recognising your time, skills and responsibilities as a foster carer.
- Your weekly pay is the allowance (per child) + carer fee (per child), plus any agreed extras (mileage, equipment, etc.).
The national minimum fostering allowance (NMA) in England is reviewed every April by the Department for Education, with higher rates for London. From 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the London NMA per child is: £198 (age 0–2), £201 (3–4), £225 (5–10), £257 (11–15), £299 (16–17). Agencies must at least meet these maintenance amounts.
Richmond upon Thames is served by Achieving for Children (AfC)
AfC runs fostering for Richmond, Kingston, and Windsor & Maidenhead. AfC confirms it matches the DfE minimum London rates above for 2025/26. In other words, if you foster with AfC in Richmond, your allowance starts at the London NMA figures listed below and then fees and extras sit on top.
2025/26 London maintenance allowance (AfC/DFE baseline)
| Child’s age | Weekly allowance |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | £198 |
| 3–4 | £201 |
| 5–10 | £225 |
| 11–15 | £257 |
| 16–17 | £299 |
These figures are published on GOV.UK and shown on AfC’s site as the London example for 2025/26.
AfC carer fees (what you earn for your skills)
On top of the maintenance allowance, AfC pays a banded carer fee per child per week linked to your level (experience/competencies). For all placements from 1 April 2025, AfC lists:
- Level 1: £212.55 per child per week
- Level 2: £283.40 per child per week
- Level 3: £316.10 per child per week
AfC also operates a supplementary fee where a child’s additional needs cross a threshold, and an “alternative to residential” fee can be agreed in exceptional cases.
Rough idea of totals: a Level 2 carer with a 12-year-old would typically receive £257 (allowance) + £283.40 (fee) ≈ £540.40 per week before mileage/other extras, subject to individual agreements.
Extras you should know about (AfC 2025/26)
1) Holiday & celebration payments
AfC provides an annual holiday allowance for the child, paid in two instalments (summer and winter). For 2025/26, totals per child are:
- 0–2: £764 (paid as 2 × £382)
- 3–4: £780 (2 × £390)
- 5–10: £868 (2 × £434)
- 11–15: £992 (2 × £496)
- 16–17: £1,156 (2 × £578)
(These are in addition to the weekly allowance.)
2) Paid respite (10 days)
Carers with children in short- or long-term placements are entitled to 10 days of paid respite (pro-rata to placement length), paid at the carer fee daily rate; current daily rates equate to £30.36 (Level 1), £40.49 (Level 2), £45.16 (Level 3).
3) Council Tax reimbursement (new in 2025/26)
From April 2025, AfC reimburses council tax for approved AfC carers who are caring for looked-after children from the three owning authorities, paid pro-rata to the days you are actively caring during the year (administrative evidence required; AfC details the process in the policy).
4) Other support & claims
AfC’s policy also sets out mileage for family time, equipment/start-up, school clothing/trips, pocket money/savings guidance, and how additional resource requests are considered to stabilise placements (via AfC’s Additional Resource Panel).
How tax relief works (many carers pay no tax on fostering income)
Foster carers can use HMRC’s Qualifying Care Relief (QCR). For 2025/26, HMRC sets a fixed household amount of £19,360 per year plus a weekly amount per person cared for: £405 (under 11) and £485 (11 or over/adults). If your total fostering receipts are below your personal “qualifying amount”, you owe no income tax on fostering income (you still file a return and can use the simplified method).
Example: Two children aged 8 and 13 in placement for a full tax year give a QCR “cap” of £19,360 + (52 × £405) + (52 × £485) = £19,360 + £21,060 + £25,220 = £65,640. If your total fostering receipts are below £65,640, your taxable profit is treated as £0 under the simplified method.
Quick comparisons and FAQs for Richmond carers
Is AfC’s allowance the same as the London minimum?
Yes. AfC explicitly states it matches the DfE London minimum rates (see table above). That’s your baseline maintenance per child; your carer fee is additional.
Are there different rates for short-breaks/Family Link?
Short-break carers are paid a percentage of the equivalent rate based on nights provided; Family Link payments run separately via the disabilities team. Check AfC’s policy and the “Fostering – payment” page for how that’s calculated.
What about parent & child (mother & baby) fostering?
AfC pays according to the order type (non-court vs. ICO/ISO), plus your carer level fee, and—if court-ordered—the baby’s allowance as well. This is set out in AfC’s 2025/26 policy.
Do Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) pay more?
Some IFAs advertise higher combined packages (allowance + fee). The key is to compare like-for-like: what’s the allowance vs. the fee? What extras are guaranteed? In all cases, the maintenance must at least meet the London NMA.
What a week might look like (illustrative scenarios)
- Scenario A – New carer (Level 1), 10-year-old:
£225 allowance + £212.55 fee = £437.55/week (before extras and tax). - Scenario B – Experienced carer (Level 2), 14-year-old:
£257 allowance + £283.40 fee = £540.40/week. - Scenario C – Level 3, 16-year-old with additional needs (supplementary fee agreed):
£299 allowance + £316.10 fee + supplementary fee (case-by-case).
Your actual package can vary (mileage, equipment, respite taken, supplementary fee, etc.)—but these examples show the core stacking of allowance + fee. AfC’s published policy is the definitive reference for Richmond.
How to maximise your take-home
- Claim QCR correctly in self-assessment—many carers legally pay no tax on fostering income thanks to the 2025/26 thresholds.
- Keep receipts and logs (AfC may request proof for holiday/other allowances; HMRC expects basic records even under QCR).
- Talk to your SSW about supplementary fees and Additional Resource Panel support where needs justify it.
- Use your 10 days paid respite—it’s designed to protect stability and carer wellbeing.
- Claim the council tax reimbursement for 2025/26 if you’re eligible and submit the documents promptly.
The bottom line for Richmond upon Thames (2025/26)
- Maintenance (London NMA): £198–£299/week per child depending on age (AfC matches this).
- AfC carer fees: £212.55 / £283.40 / £316.10 per child per week at Levels 1/2/3, with possible supplementary payments for higher needs.
- Extras that matter: Holiday allowance (up to £1,156/year for 16–17s), 10 days paid respite, and council tax reimbursement newly added for 2025/26.
- Tax relief: QCR set at £19,360 fixed + £405/£485 weekly per person cared for—very favourable to carers.