When you foster with ÄûÃʵ¼°¹, you join a values-led public service committed to supporting both you and the children in your care. Not making a profit.
Everything (2024)
You’re First in Line for Local Placements
We always match ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ children with ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ foster carers first, helping them stay close to school, friends, and family.
With an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA), placements often come from further afield, disrupting children’s lives and making travel more complex.
Dedicated Local Support from People Who Know the System
You’ll have your own supervising social worker who visits at least every six weeks, or more often if needed. They're based locally and understand ÄûÃʵ¼°¹’s policies, services, and teams, making support quicker and more personal. This helps streamline communication, planning, and support.
In an IFA, social workers may not have strong links to the child’s local authority, making collaboration slower and less effective.
Comprehensive Training That's Ongoing and Accessible
You’ll get a custom training plan and access to over 200 in-person and online courses, including trauma-informed care, safeguarding, asylum support, and accredited qualifications. You’ll also have opportunities to develop personally and professionally, and many carers find their training benefits them beyond fostering.
Many IFAs charge for additional training or don’t provide specialised options focused on public sector fostering challenges.
Peer Mentoring and Support from the Start
From day one, you'll be paired with an experienced foster carer buddy for practical advice and reassurance. You’ll also benefit from:
- Regular social events
- Virtual and in-person support groups, including one for carers’ own children
- 24-hour emergency support
- Therapeutic support for carers facing personal challenges
- Tailored help from fostering support workers when needed
IFA placements can feel isolating, with fewer opportunities to build relationships with fellow carers in your area.
Belong to a Community with Real Voice and Influence
You’re not just a carer — you’re part of the team. We regularly invite feedback and work closely with carers to shape and improve our services. You’ll have a genuine say in how we support children and carers across ÄûÃʵ¼°¹.
IFAs tend to operate top-down, with little opportunity for carers to shape wider practice.
Innovative Support Through the Mockingbird Family Model™
This extended-family approach brings together groups of carers for regular meetups, support, respite, and activities—creating stability for children and carers alike.
Few IFAs use the Mockingbird model, and most do not offer structured peer-led support on this scale.
More Transparent, Fair Financial Support
We offer a generous allowance and skills-based fees—plus extras like clothing, mileage, holidays, recruitment incentives, and access to tax-friendly arrangements. All allowances, expenses and opportunities are clearly explained and communicated from the start.
IFA payments can be less consistent and less transparent, with more variation in what’s actually offered to carers.
Free Memberships That Add Real Value
All ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ carers are given free access to The Fostering Network, New Family Social (for LGBTQ+ carers), and the National Association of Therapeutic Parents. These practical memberships offer conferences, camps and support that helps you thrive as a foster carer and an individual.
In many IFAs, carers must pay out of pocket for these professional memberships and networks.
Faster, Smoother Transfers for Experienced Carers
If you’re an existing IFA or returning foster carer, we’ll aim to approve you within 12 weeks. If your training is recent, you won’t need to repeat it.
IFAs often have more rigid processes, with less flexibility for recognising your experience or fast-tracking your application.
You’re Supporting a Public Service, not Private Profit
ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ reinvests every penny into children and families, not shareholders. You are part of a child-centred system built for the long term. Fostering is more than offering a home; it’s a chance to grow, learn, and change a child’s future.
You'll be supported every step of the way, with training and resources designed for your needs. And in return, you'll have the reward of knowing you’re changing lives, sometimes even your own.
IFAs are often run for profit, meaning funding can prioritise business needs over long-term outcomes for children.
Ready to foster with ÄûÃʵ¼°¹?
If you want to make a difference close to home, and be truly supported while doing it, fostering with ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ could be the right next step.
You’ll be part of a public service that puts children and carers first, not profit.