What you are entitled to
If you are living in foster care (residential care/private foster care the amounts you receive can be different), you should be receiving pocket money. The amount you receive will be different depending on your age. Your foster carer should give you pocket money every week, some of it could be put into a bank account.
This is what you should receive:
Summary of Allowances (Draft as Under Review)
| Age Band | Level 1 | Level 2 | Holiday | Birthday | Festival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 years | £174.27 | £276.23 | £286.63 | £143.06 | £143.06 |
| 5-15 years | £215.36 | £319.40 | £376.62 | £172.19 | £172.19 |
| 16-17 years | £261.66 | £364.66 | £491.59 | £228.89 | £228.89 |
Note: Holiday, Birthday & Festival allowances will be negotiated dependent on placement length.
Pocket Money
| Age | Total Money | Pocket Money in Hand | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 5-10 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 11-15 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 16+ | 20 | 15 | 5 |
Pocket Money Guidance:
Each child in foster care must receive a pocket money allowance which is included within the weekly basic fostering allowance at the rates shown above.
When you first move into your placement, your foster carer will receive money to buy your school uniform and they will be given an allowance to buy your clothes.
Care Leavers
- Care Leavers are entitled to a setting up home grant of £3000
- Care Leavers who go to university are entitled to a total of £2000 bursary, payments are split over the 3 years
- Care Leavers receive £100 birthday money on their 18th
- £25.00 on their 19th Birthday
- £25.00 on their 20th Birthday
- £50.00 on their 21st Birthday
- You are also entitled to £50.00 festival money once per year until you are 21.