What you need to know
about fostering
Fostering means providing a safe, loving home for children and young people who cannot live with their birth families. Explore allowances, eligibility, and the statutory assessment process below.
Could You Be a Foster Carer?
Check if you meet the UK statutory requirements and get personalized guidance for your region.
1. Do you currently have a spare bedroom in your home?
UK safeguarding standards require each foster child (or sibling group) to have their own bedroom.
Calculate Your Fostering Allowance in London
Calculate estimated weekly payments, annual earnings, and HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) tax exemption for your family.
Get your personalized HMRC tax-free calculation and instant access to the FosterReady.uk preparatory academy.
Who can foster?
You can foster regardless of your age (over 21), gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, or relationship status. You don't need to own your home or have children of your own. What matters is that you have a spare room, the patience to support a child through difficult times, and the willingness to learn.
What types of fostering are there?
Emergency fostering (short notice, 24-72 hours), short-term fostering (a few weeks to months), long-term fostering (until the child turns 18), respite care (giving other carers a break), parent and child placements, and specialist therapeutic fostering for children with complex needs. Many carers start with short-term placements and later move to long-term.
How much are foster carers paid?
Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the child's needs (food, clothing, activities) plus a professional fee for their time and skills. Allowances vary by agency and local authority — typically between £450–£850+ per week per child with an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA). Most fostering income is 100% tax-free under HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (QCR).
What is the assessment process?
After your initial enquiry, a social worker will visit your home and assess your suitability over several months. This includes background checks (DBS), references, a medical assessment, and a detailed Form F assessment covering your background, motivation, and parenting capacity. The process typically takes 4–6 months.
IFA vs Local Authority — what's the difference?
Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) are private or non-profit organisations that recruit, train, and support foster carers. They often offer higher allowances (£450–£850+/wk) and smaller caseloads per social worker. Local Authorities (LAs) are council-run services. Both are regulated by Ofsted.
What support do foster carers get?
All fostering agencies must provide a supervising social worker, 24/7 support line, regular training opportunities, carer peer groups, and financial allowances. Many agencies also offer therapeutic support, access to educational resources, and dedicated out-of-hours teams.
What happens if it doesn't work out?
Not every placement works for every carer, and that's understood. Agencies support you through placement disruptions and endings. You can also explore fostering through free training before committing to an agency — so you know what to expect before you start.
Curious? Start exploring.
FosterReady's free 9-week academy lets you explore fostering at your own pace. Learn what daily life is really like, build your confidence, and decide when — and if — you're ready to take the next step.