The two routes into fostering
In England, every child in foster care is placed by a local authority the council responsible for their welfare. But the foster carer looking after that child may be approved by either the local authority itself or by an independent fostering agency (IFA). These are the two routes into fostering, and they work quite differently.
Understanding the difference is important because the agency you choose will shape your experience as a foster carer the support you receive, the allowances you are paid, the types of placements you are offered, and the relationship you have with your supervising social worker. Choosing well matters.
How local authority fostering works
Every local authority in England runs its own fostering service. They recruit, assess, and approve foster carers to look after children from within their own caseload. The carers they approve are usually placed with children from the same council area, which means placements tend to be local.
Because the local authority both manages the child's case and oversees the foster carer, the relationship between the carer and the child's social worker is often closer and more direct. There is less distance between the two sides of the arrangement.
Allowances paid by local authorities are generally lower than those paid by IFAs, and the level of support for carers varies considerably from one council to another. Some local authorities have well-resourced, responsive fostering services. Others are stretched thin and struggle to provide the level of contact and support that carers need.
How independent fostering agencies work
IFAs are private or voluntary organisations that are approved by Ofsted to recruit, assess, and support foster carers. When a local authority cannot find a suitable carer from their own approved pool, they place the child with an IFA carer and pay the agency a fee for the placement.
IFAs typically pay higher combined allowances and professional fees than local authorities, and usually provide more intensive support to their carers including a dedicated supervising social worker with a smaller caseload. Many IFAs specialise in particular types of fostering such as therapeutic care, UASC, or sibling groups.
The trade-off is that the IFA carer is one step removed from the child's case. The child's social worker is employed by the local authority, not the IFA. This means communication sometimes has to travel through more layers, which can occasionally cause delays or misunderstandings.
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| Factor | Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) | Local Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly allowance and fee | Higher combined total typically £350 to £600+ per week for mainstream placements | Lower usually closer to national minimum rates with limited professional fee |
| Carer support | Usually more intensive dedicated supervising social worker, often smaller caseloads | Variable some councils are well resourced, others are stretched |
| Training | Generally more extensive and structured, often including specialist training | Basic training usually provided, specialist training less consistent |
| Placement geography | Wider IFAs often place across multiple areas and regions | Usually local to the council area |
| Placement types | Often specialised therapeutic, UASC, remand, complex needs | Broader range including short-term, long-term, and emergency |
| Relationship with child's social worker | Indirect child's SW is from the placing local authority, not the IFA | Direct same organisation manages both sides of the placement |
| Kinship and family placements | Less common IFAs rarely approve kinship carers | More common local authorities often approve family and friends carers |
| Ofsted inspection | Inspected separately as an independent service | Inspected as part of the council's children's services |
Which suits different types of carers
- Want higher allowances and a clearer professional fee structure
- Value intensive, dedicated carer support
- Are interested in specialist fostering types
- Are happy with placements from a wider geographic area
- Want structured, ongoing training and development
- Are looking to foster as a primary income
- Want to keep placements local and within your community
- Are interested in kinship or family and friends fostering
- Prefer a direct relationship with the child's social worker
- Are fostering alongside employment and want predictable, local placements
- Want to be part of your local authority's own carer community
What the experience of carers tells us
Carers who have fostered with both types of organisation as many experienced carers have consistently highlight two factors that make the biggest practical difference: the quality and competency of the supervising social worker, and the culture of the organisation toward its carers.
Two agencies with identical Ofsted ratings can feel very different to work with day to day. One may have a supervising social worker who advocates strongly for their carers, responds quickly, and treats them as part of the professional team. Another may leave carers feeling unsupported, unheard, or like a resource to be managed rather than a person to be valued.
This is why speaking to existing carers before you commit to an agency is one of the most useful things you can do. Ask the agency directly if they can put you in touch with a current carer. A good agency will facilitate this readily. A reluctant one is worth noting.
Can you switch between an IFA and a local authority?
Yes. Foster carers do move between agencies, and between IFAs and local authorities. The new organisation will carry out their own assessment, but your existing approval, experience, and track record will all be taken into account. It is a significant step and worth thinking through carefully, but it is not unusual and it is not the end of the world if you realise your first agency is not the right fit.
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