Shetland Islands Council: foster carer allowances 2026-27.
Shetland Islands Council publishes the weekly allowances it pays its own foster carers: £177.68 to £283.35 per child for 2026-27. These are the council’s figures, taken from its website on 3 November 2026.
Shetland Islands Council publishes its foster allowances for 2026/27 as a weekly amount for each child in three age bands, which match the Scottish Recommended Allowance for the year. The council's page does not publish a fee or reward paid to carers on top of the allowance, or any birthday or holiday payments, so ask the Family Placement Team what else applies.
Weekly allowance by age
| Age of child | Per week |
|---|---|
| 0 to 4 years | £177.68 |
| 5 to 15 years | £206.71 |
| 16 years and over | £283.35 |
How this compares
The national minimum allowance in Scotland is £177.68 to £283.35 a week depending on age (Scottish Recommended Allowance, 2026-27). The allowance covers the child’s costs; any fee is the part that is for you, and it is where councils and independent agencies differ most.
Independent agencies covering the same area publish their own weekly totals, often higher, with more expected of the carer. Use the pay calculator to see a year’s figure and the tax relief, or compare what services publish.
Source
Adoption, fostering and kinship care: Foster Allowances 2026/27 (Shetland Islands Council), checked 3 November 2026. Councils usually change their rates each April; if this page is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.