Why it’s the Right Time to Start Fostering

6 Reasons to start fostering in 2026

Shortage of foster families

There is a national shortage of foster carers able to offer a safe and loving home to children in need. In 2023, there were approximately 107,000 looked-after children in the UK, an 8% increase over a period of five years.

If you have a spare room and feel you could foster a child or young person, then you’re needed more than ever to step forward and help make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children.

Generous fostering allowances and benefits

Financial concerns shouldn’t affect your ability to help children in care. We have all felt the pinch of recent cost-of-living struggles, which have placed finances at the forefront of people’s minds. Although money isn’t the main consideration when thinking about fostering, foster parents do receive generous payments for looking after children.

In recognition of the valuable work and dedication of our foster carers, we offer a generous fostering allowance and benefits package. Approved foster carers at Fosterplus receive an allowance between £21,479 and £27,199 per child, per year. This amount is generally tax-free and won’t affect any benefits you receive.

Additional benefits and allowances for things such as birthdays, holidays and celebrations are also included. This way, children in your care can enjoy these special occasions without added financial pressure.

Our allowances and perks mean more people are able to consider becoming a foster parent, and it is a great time to take on this rewarding role, while also being paid generously for it.

New tax cut for foster carers

Alongside a generous foster care allowance, the government adjust the tax-free amount of qualifying care relief each April that foster carers are able to claim. For the 2025/2026 tax year, this was increased to a fixed amount of £20,440. Weekly amounts are also allowed for carers per child, with £435 per week for children under 11 and £515 per week for children aged 11 or over.

This additional tax relief for foster carers means that families will now receive the majority – if not all – of their fostering allowance without paying any tax. If you’ve been concerned about affording to foster, then this exciting update will be a significant benefit to your household finances.

Family networks

Creating family networks is another positive reason to start fostering in 2026. The connections you will gain, not only with our social work teams but also with other families who foster, make fostering and helping children in care a worthwhile thing to do.

We have a large supportive network, regular events and support groups, as well as social get-togethers to suit everyone, so that you can connect with like-minded families and build lifelong friendships.

If you have your own birth children, you will see them build relationships, gain confidence, and benefit from a new experience and view of the world. Family and connection are what it’s all about, and it’s certainly something that foster care can offer.

Flexibility to suit your family

Did you know that around 1 in 3 UK employees are unhappy in their jobs?

A number of careers are seeing more pressure, such as NHS workers, nursing and teaching staff. Roles like these provide fantastic experience, and many people are now choosing to apply their transferable skills to fostering.

As a foster parent, you get to work flexibly from home. With the various types of foster care available, ranging from one day to several years, and our careful matching process, each fostering experience is unique and planned to suit your family.

Many people continue to work alongside fostering, and with new flexibility in the workplace, it is something that has now become more achievable. In terms of income, there is a great opportunity to feel more financially secure while working and fostering.

Job satisfaction

Some of the main factors that people consider when looking for a new profession are job fulfilment, flexibility and good colleagues. These are some of the key benefits that you can expect when choosing to foster. If you are looking for a job that will have an impact and ‘give back’ to society, then fostering a child will be a worthwhile and rewarding vocation.

Fostering is one of the most fulfilling careers you can have, and foster parents often state that the main reason they chose this profession was the chance to make a difference.