In August 2023 the Scottish Government and COSLA agreed the Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) for foster and kinship carers. This ensures eligible Kinship and Foster Carers across Scotland are entitled to the same levels of financial support.
Foster carers receive a weekly rate which depends on the age of the child.
| Child's age | Weekly allowance |
|---|---|
|
0 to 4 years |
£168.31 |
|
5 to 10 years |
£195.81 |
|
11 to 15 years |
£195.81 |
|
16 years and over |
£268.41 |
Fees
Carers will receive a fostering fee of £177.64 per week.
Short breaks fees
The allowance follows the child. This means that if a child moves to a short break placement, the short break carer receives the allowance, not the full-time foster carer. Both full-time and short break carers will continue to receive allowances for the day the child leaves and returns to their full time placement.
Holidays
All carers are entitled to 28 days holiday. Foster carers will be entitled to full payment of fees for the 28-day holiday period. They will not receive the allowance – this will be paid to the short break carer.
Foster carers who do not take their full 28-day holiday entitlement (for example, they take a child on holiday with them) may claim additional fee payment for to up to 14 days.
Additional payments
Carers will receive additional payments for the child’s birthday, Christmas and summer holidays and the Service will support the purchase of equipment, as required.
Post-placement retainer
Our payment rates for post-placement retainers are as follows.
| When placement ended | Retainer |
|---|---|
|
After 3 months |
1 weekly fee (£177.64) |
|
After 6 months |
2 weekly fees (£355.28) |
|
After 9 months |
4 weekly fees (£710.56) |
|
After 12 months |
6 weekly fees (£1,065.84) |
Mileage
We pay mileage allowance to carers when they are travelling on Stirling Council business, such as to attend a meeting.