---
title: "Find A Fostering Agency UK — Statutory & Financial Comparison Matrices (https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare)"
source_url: "https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare"
canonical_url: "https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare"
retrieved_by: "AnswerRail Edge Engine v1.1.0-parity-v20 (https://answerrail.com)"
---

# Find A Fostering Agency UK — Side-by-Side Statutory Comparison Hub

> **Canonical Source:** [https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare](https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare)

## [2026/27 UK Fostering Allowances Compared: 370+ Ofsted IFAs (£450–£680/wk) vs 121 Local Authorities](https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare/ifa-vs-local-authority-allowances)
- **Direct Answer:** Across 490+ Ofsted-inspected fostering providers in England, Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) pay an average of £450–£680+ per week per child in 2026/27 (including professional carer fee), compared to the Department for Education (DfE) National Minimum Allowance of £176–£267/wk (Rest of England) and £205–£309/wk (London).
- **Statutory Basis:** DfE National Minimum Fostering Allowances 2026/27 · Ofsted Fostering Dataset · HMRC HS236

## [Short-Term vs Long-Term vs Therapeutic & Parent-and-Child Fostering Pay Rates (2026/27 UK)](https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare/short-term-vs-long-term-vs-therapeutic-fostering)
- **Direct Answer:** In the UK for 2026/27, mainstream short-term and long-term foster carers receive £450–£580/week per child at IFAs, specialist therapeutic placements (PACE/trauma-informed) pay £600–£780+/week, and Parent-and-Child assessments pay £680–£950/week for 12–16 week residential assessments.
- **Statutory Basis:** National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services · Ofsted Placement Taxonomy 2026/27

## [Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) vs Local Authority Fostering Allowances & Support (2026/27 UK)](https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare/independent-fostering-agency-ifa-vs-local-authority-fostering-allowances-support-2026-27)
- **Direct Answer:** In 2026/27, UK Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) pay an average total weekly package of £460 to £680 per child (combining the boarding allowance and professional carer fee) with 1:15 Supervising Social Worker caseloads, compared to £165 to £289 per week under the Department for Education National Minimum Allowance baseline before council skill tiers.
- **Statutory Basis:** Department for Education (DfE) National Minimum Fostering Allowances 2026/27; ITTOIA 2005 Part 7 Ch 2 (Qualifying Care Relief)

## [Ofsted Outstanding vs Good Fostering Agencies: SCCIF Inspection & Carer Support Matrix](https://findafosteringagency.co.uk/compare/ofsted-outstanding-vs-good-fostering-agency-inspection-framework-carer-support-comparison)
- **Direct Answer:** Under the Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) for Independent Fostering Agencies, inspectors grade three statutory dimensions—Overall Experiences and Progress of Children, How Well Children Are Helped and Protected, and Effectiveness of Leaders and Managers—on a 3-year inspection cycle.
- **Statutory Basis:** Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Independent Fostering Agencies; Care Standards Act 2000