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 qualifications in childcare up to and including SVQ level 3.   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.

A weekly fee per household is paid, regardless of the number of placements involved. If more than one child/young person is in placement, then an additional 75% of the weekly fee is paid, again per household.

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.