Fostering FAQs
Fostering can be an incredibly fulfilling opportunity, but we recognise that it’s a big decision to make.
There’s lots to consider, so we have some frequently asked questions here to help you with your decision making.
Whilst taking on the role of a foster carer should not be driven by financial incentive, we are realistic about the cost to individuals who embark on these professional roles. With this in mind, early in 2025, Orkney Islands Council agreed an enhanced packed of both financial and emotional support for our foster carers.
I receive welfare benefits, will fostering affect these?
If you currently claim welfare benefits you are likely to be able to continue to claim while fostering. All fostering payments are disregarded as income for the purposes of Universal Credit. For DWP benefits such as income support, fostering payments are also disregarded as income. For HMRC benefits such as tax credits, only taxable income (any amount over the tax threshold calculated using the special tax scheme for foster carers, Qualifying Care Relief) is taken into consideration which for many foster carers is zero. Universal Credit also allows a period of eight weeks between placements where the foster carer will not be subject to any work-search requirements. Foster carers are allowed one bedroom which will not be regarded as under-occupied as per the under-occupancy rules (also known as the ‘bedroom tax’) if claiming housing benefit or Universal Credit housing element when living in social or privately rented accommodation.
