Wakefield Council foster carers earn an average of £31,200 tax-free – with potential to earn more
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Wakefield Council is inviting compassionate local people to consider a new kind of career. One that offers flexibility, emotional fulfilment, and financial stability.
As part of the Council’s ‘Ready to play’ campaign, the spotlight is on fostering as a rewarding alternative to traditional caring professions.
Fostering Wakefield carers currently earn an average of £31,200 per year, tax-free, with access to extensive local support and training. Caring for more than one older child, experienced foster carers can earn up to £74,000 annually. This makes fostering not only a meaningful vocation, but also a financially viable one, comparable to careers like nursing, teaching, and social care.
“Foster care is a viable long-term career option with support and training available for anybody interested. You don’t need to have a perfect home or previous experience to become a foster carer – you just need to have a big heart.
“Your skills could help change a young person’s life. Too many are in need of a loving, stable home – you could make that difference by changing to a career in foster care.”
Cllr Margaret Isherwood
Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young
Unlike independent fostering agencies, Wakefield Council offers a local, community-based approach with wraparound support, including a dedicated link worker and access to our award-winning Emotional Wellbeing Team.
The ‘Ready to play’ campaign is designed to raise visibility of careers in fostering and challenge assumptions about how incomes compare to conventional employment. It encourages people from all walks of life to consider fostering as a natural next step in their caring journey.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, contact us on Fostering@wakefield.gov.uk, 0800 197 0320 or find out more online at www.wakefield.gov.uk/fostering.