Allowances are paid by the Health and Social Care Trusts every four weeks. Ask your supervising social worker for the rates you are paid now, because nidirect has not published newer figures.
Quick facts
- Age 0 to 4
- £149 a week
- Age 5 to 10
- £166 a week
- Age 11 to 15
- £187 a week
- Age 16 and over
- £219 a week
- Rates dated
- 1 April 2024 (latest published)
- Extra
- Birthday and Christmas payments
The allowance
All foster/kinship carers get an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child in their home. Some foster carers also receive a fee because they have certain knowledge and skills. These are nidirect's Foster Care Allowance amounts from 1 April 2024:
- age 0 to 4: £149 a week (£596 every four weeks)
- age 5 to 10: £166 a week (£664)
- age 11 to 15: £187 a week (£748)
- age 16 and over: £219 a week (£876)
The allowance covers food (including school meals), household costs, clothing and footwear, pocket money and travel. Foster carers are free to spend food, household and travel allowances as they feel benefits the child most. Carers receive additional payments for other essential items for birthdays and Christmas. Other help, for example with school uniforms, is available separately.
Support after 18
Financial support is also available to people supporting young people aged between 18 and 21 years old in education, training or employment. Ask the young person's Trust.
Other support
All foster/kinship foster carers are reviewed every year, and get training and a supervising social worker. Trusts can also arrange short breaks. Out of office hours, Trust foster carers can contact the Regional Emergency Social Work Service on 028 9504 9999.
Foster carers may be able to get National Insurance credits towards their State Pension. See National Insurance in Northern Ireland and help for carers.
Common questions
Do kinship carers get the same allowance as foster carers?
Yes. nidirect says all foster/kinship carers get an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child in their home.
Are these rates current?
They are the latest nidirect publishes, from 1 April 2024. Your supervising social worker can confirm what you are paid now.