Fees and Allowances

In Dundee we have a skills based fostering service with different types of carers available to offer placements. Payments are based on a carer's ability, availability and willingness to undertake specific tasks.

Foster Carers - Ace

These are our professional carers, who require a qualification in working with children over the age of 9yrs or at least 3yrs proven residential/fostering/community experience.  Ace carers provide an alternative to secure or residential school and are recruited separately.

Foster Carers - Fee

Fee paid carers will have completed our initial training/assessment course successfully and will have been assessed as competent to carry out the tasks required of them.

Fee carers receive basic allowances for each child placed with them. This allowance is age-related and is specifically for covering expenses incurred in looking after a particular child or young person. These allowances are not taxable; and they should not affect benefit payments because they are made in respect of the child concerned.

Foster carers are also paid a weekly fee for each child in placement.

Fee carers are paid on the basis of placements made, with a maximum 4-week retainer to cover gaps between full-time placements. This is only paid if carers are available to take another child/young person and may be withheld if a carer ends a placement prematurely without the agreement of the Social Work Department.

Carers are self-employed in terms of their fee so are, therefore, responsible for paying their own National Insurance and Income Tax, and for their own pension arrangements. An annual statement of total fees paid will be issued to each carer. Please note: if you are unemployed, becoming a fee paid carer might affect certain benefits.   Please check with your local benefits office.

All Carers

Additional allowances are paid per child in placement to cover Christmas, holiday and birthday expenses.