Why is there such high demand for foster carers in London?

London has consistently high numbers of children in care, particularly in inner boroughs such as Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Haringey and Lambeth. Across the capital, there is an ongoing need for foster carers who can support teenagers, sibling groups and children with complex or additional needs — placements that are harder to fill and where the shortage is most acute. [object Object]

How do I become a foster carer in London?

Start by picking two or three services from this page and making contact — you are not committing to anything at that stage. You can go to your own borough's fostering team, such as Camden Fostering Service, Croydon Fostering Service or Waltham Forest Fostering Service, or contact an independent fostering agency with a London office. These initial conversations are a two-way process: they will explain what they are looking for and what happens next, and you get a feel for whether the organisation seems like the right fit before you commit to anything. If you decide to proceed, you will begin a formal assessment. This involves home visits, DBS (background) checks, references, training sessions and a series of meetings with a qualified social worker. It typically takes between four and six months and ends with a review by an independent fostering panel. Once approved, you will be matched with a child whose needs, background and circumstances are considered carefully alongside your own experience, home situation and what kind of fostering you are best placed to offer.

What is the difference between fostering through my local authority (LA) and an independent fostering agency (IFA) in London?

Each of London's 32 boroughs has its own local authority fostering team (LA), recruiting carers for children already in that borough's care. This is often the most direct route if you want to foster locally, whether through Camden, Ealing, Southwark, Brent or any other borough. LA services tend to be well embedded in the local community and recruit specifically to meet the needs of their own looked-after children. Independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are commissioned by London boroughs when their in-house fostering teams cannot fill placements — which happens regularly across the capital given the scale of demand. Unlike borough services, IFAs recruit across multiple areas simultaneously, so in some cases, the children you look after may come from outside your borough. London has a particularly wide range of IFAs, from large national providers with dedicated London offices to smaller specialist agencies focused on specific types of care, such as children with disabilities or therapeutic placements. The table on this page lets you filter by coverage and provider type so you can compare them properly.

What are the current foster care allowance rates and weekly income for London carers?

The average total weekly income for foster carers in London generally ranges from £450 to over £700 per child. Fostering payments in the capital are not a standard corporate salary; instead, they are structured to include a tax-free child maintenance allowance (covering city living costs like food, clothing, and TfL travel) alongside a professional reward fee for your time and caregiving skills. [object Object] [object Object]

Can I foster within my own London borough, or do I need to cover the whole of London?

You can absolutely foster within your own borough. Each of London's 32 boroughs has its own local authority fostering service, and applying directly to your borough means caring for children from that local area. If you live in Lewisham, for example, you can apply to Lewisham Fostering Service and support children already connected to that community. If you are open to fostering across a wider area, independent fostering agencies recruit across London as a whole and sometimes beyond. Neither route is better than the other. It comes down to what works for your family and what kind of placements you feel best placed to offer.

How long does it take to become an approved foster carer in London?

Four to six months is the typical timeline from first enquiry to approval, but it can vary in London. Some inner-city boroughs carry larger caseloads and receive more applications, which can stretch the process slightly. Independent fostering agencies tend to be more consistent in hitting that four-to-six-month window. Either way, the assessment covers a home study by a qualified social worker, DBS checks, references, pre-approval training and a final panel review. The timeline is largely in your hands — responding promptly to requests and being open during the home study process keeps things moving. Some London independent fostering agencies (IFAs) offer an accelerated assessment for people with relevant professional backgrounds, such as social workers, nurses, teachers or those who have worked in childcare. If you think this might apply to you, it is worth asking when you first make contact.

Do I need to own my home to foster in London?

In London, most people rent rather than own — and that is no barrier to fostering. Renters foster successfully across all 32 boroughs and fostering services here are well used to working with people in private rented accommodation. What matters is that you have a stable home with a spare bedroom available for a child. If you rent privately, check your tenancy agreement for any clause about fostering. Most landlords will agree if you explain what it involves, but get written confirmation before your assessment begins. If you live in a housing association or council property, the rules vary by landlord — your fostering agency will help you find out what you need.

Which London boroughs are covered by this directory?

This directory covers all 32 London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth and Westminster. It also includes agencies serving the City of London. The listings include borough-specific local authority fostering services, regional IFAs operating across Greater London, and national agencies that recruit UK-wide.

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Fostering Agencies in London

Compare Foster Care Providers Across Inner and Outer London Boroughs

Browse and compare local authority and independent fostering agencies serving all 32 London boroughs. Shortlist up to 3 and request a call. No postcode needed to browse.

Some agencies listed may be based outside London but have confirmed they serve the area. It's worth asking them directly about local support when you make contact.

A boy in a yellow East London hoodie crouching on the pavement at Shoreditch High Street bus stop, with a red double-decker London bus and colourful street art murals in the background

Organisation Type

Coverage

Ofsted

Fostering type

Showing 59 of 59

Agency	Location	Ofsted	Provider type	Fostering types	Allowance	Reviews
Achieving for Children Regional	Kingston upon Thames	Good	Social Enterprise	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	—	No rating
Ascent Fostering Agency Regional	Wallington (Sutton)	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups	—	No rating
Avanti Fostering Regional	Stanmore	Not yet inspected	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	—	No rating
Banya Family Placement Agency Regional	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Barnet Fostering Service Locally run	Barnet	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Bexley Fostering Service Locally run	Bexleyheath	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Brent Fostering Service Locally run	Wembley	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Bromley Fostering Service Locally run	Bromley	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Camden Fostering Service Locally run	London	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Capstone Foster Care National	Croydon	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	No rating
Capstone Foster Care National	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	No rating
Capstone Foster Care National	Ossett	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	No rating
City of London Fostering Service Locally run	London	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Compass Fostering National	London	Good	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups	—	No rating
Compass Fostering National	Hornchurch	Good	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups	—	No rating
Croydon Fostering Service Locally run	Croydon	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Ealing Fostering Service Locally run	Ealing	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Enfield Fostering Service Locally run	Enfield	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Five Rivers Child Care National	Basildon	Good	Social Enterprise	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	No rating
Five Rivers Child Care National	Romford	Good	Social Enterprise	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	No rating
Five Rivers Child Care National	Chesterfield	Good	Social Enterprise	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	No rating
Five Rivers Child Care National	Chesterfield	Good	Social Enterprise	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic	—	4.0· 1
Foster Care Associates (FCA) National	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Foster Care Link Regional	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Fostering Innovations Regional	Uxbridge	Not yet inspected	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	—	No rating
Fostering London Ltd Regional	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups	—	No rating
Greater London Fostering Regional	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Greenwich Fostering Service Locally run	Greenwich	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Hackney Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Haringey Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Hillingdon Fostering Service Locally run	Uxbridge	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Hounslow Fostering Service Locally run	Hounslow	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Islington Fostering Service Locally run	London	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
ISP Fostering National	Enfield	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
ISP Fostering National	Bromsgrove	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Kensington and Chelsea Fostering Service Locally run	London	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Lewisham Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Lika Family Fostering Regional	Croydon	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups	—	No rating
Merton Fostering Service Locally run	Morden	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
National Fostering Agency National	Uxbridge	Good	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
National Fostering Agency National	Croydon	Good	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Nationwide Fostering National	Uxbridge	Good	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	—	No rating
Newham Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Nexus Fostering National	Ampthill	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Nexus Fostering National	London	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Nexus Fostering National	Harrow	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	—	No rating
Outset Fostering Regional	Enfield	Good	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	—	No rating
Redbridge Fostering Service Locally run	Ilford	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Southwark Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Sutton Fostering Service Locally run	Sutton	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
SWIIS Foster Care National	Manchester (Old Trafford)	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups	Approximately £30160 per year per child in arrangement (tax-free) — equivalent to approximately £580 per week	No rating
SWIIS Foster Care National	Birmingham	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups, therapeutic	—	No rating
TACT National	London	Outstanding	Charity	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, therapeutic, sibling groups	Generous fees and allowances — enquire at 0330 123 2250	No rating
TACT National	Walsall	Good	Charity	Short-term, long-term, therapeutic, sibling groups, emergency	From £390 per week	No rating
Tower Hamlets Fostering Service Locally run	London	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
UK Fostering National	Hounslow	Outstanding	Independent Fostering Agency	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups	—	No rating
Waltham Forest Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Wandsworth Fostering Service Locally run	London	Good	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating
Westminster Fostering Service Locally run	London	Outstanding	Local Authority	Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child	At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough	No rating

Achieving for Children

Kingston upon Thames · Social Enterprise

Regional

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: —
Support

Ascent Fostering Agency

Wallington (Sutton) · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Avanti Fostering

Stanmore · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Not yet inspected

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: —
Support

Banya Family Placement Agency

London · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Barnet Fostering Service

Barnet · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Bexley Fostering Service

Bexleyheath · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Brent Fostering Service

Wembley · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Bromley Fostering Service

Bromley · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Camden Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Capstone Foster Care

Croydon · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

Capstone Foster Care

London · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

Capstone Foster Care

Ossett · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

City of London Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Compass Fostering

London · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Compass Fostering

Hornchurch · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Croydon Fostering Service

Croydon · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Ealing Fostering Service

Ealing · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Enfield Fostering Service

Enfield · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Five Rivers Child Care

Basildon · Social Enterprise

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

Five Rivers Child Care

Romford · Social Enterprise

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

Five Rivers Child Care

Chesterfield · Social Enterprise

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

Five Rivers Child Care

Chesterfield · Social Enterprise

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

4.0· 1

Foster Care Associates (FCA)

London · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Foster Care Link

London · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Fostering Innovations

Uxbridge · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Not yet inspected

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: —
Support

Fostering London Ltd

London · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Greater London Fostering

London · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Greenwich Fostering Service

Greenwich · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Hackney Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Haringey Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Hillingdon Fostering Service

Uxbridge · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Hounslow Fostering Service

Hounslow · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Islington Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

ISP Fostering

Enfield · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

ISP Fostering

Bromsgrove · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Kensington and Chelsea Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Lewisham Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Lika Family Fostering

Croydon · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Merton Fostering Service

Morden · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

National Fostering Agency

Uxbridge · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

National Fostering Agency

Croydon · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Nationwide Fostering

Uxbridge · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: —
Support

Newham Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Nexus Fostering

Ampthill · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Nexus Fostering

London · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Nexus Fostering

Harrow · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Outset Fostering

Enfield · Independent Fostering Agency

Regional

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: —
Support

Redbridge Fostering Service

Ilford · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Southwark Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Sutton Fostering Service

Sutton · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

SWIIS Foster Care

Manchester (Old Trafford) · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: Approximately £30160 per year per child in arrangement (tax-free) — equivalent to approximately £580 per week
Support

SWIIS Foster Care

Birmingham · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups, therapeutic
Allowance: —
Support

TACT

London · Charity

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, therapeutic, sibling groups
Allowance: Generous fees and allowances — enquire at 0330 123 2250
Support

TACT

Walsall · Charity

National

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, therapeutic, sibling groups, emergency
Allowance: From £390 per week
Support

Tower Hamlets Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

UK Fostering

Hounslow · Independent Fostering Agency

National

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child, sibling groups
Allowance: —
Support

Waltham Forest Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Wandsworth Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Good

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

Westminster Fostering Service

London · Local Authority

Locally run

Outstanding

Types: Short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child
Allowance: At or above Inner London NMA — confirm with borough
Support

We are an independent comparison tool, not a fostering agency.

About Fostering Agencies in London

London is home to 32 boroughs plus the City of London, each running its own local authority fostering team. It is the most ethnically and culturally diverse part of the UK, which means fostering agencies across the capital actively prioritise recruiting carers from a wide range of backgrounds. This matters because children in care are placed with families who reflect and understand where they have come from.

Demand for foster carers in London is consistently high. Inner boroughs such as Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Haringey have particularly significant numbers of children in care. Across the capital, there is an ongoing need for carers able to support teenagers, sibling groups and children with more complex needs — placements that are harder to fill and where the shortage is most acute.

When you look into fostering in London, you essentially have two main routes.

Local authority fostering services

Each of London's 32 boroughs runs its own fostering team, recruiting carers for children already in that borough's care. If you want to foster locally, the most direct route is applying to your own borough's service. Some London boroughs, including Bexley, Bromley, Camden, Merton and Westminster, have Outstanding-rated fostering services.

Independent fostering agencies (IFAs)

The alternative is an independent fostering agency. London boroughs commission IFAs when their own in-house teams cannot meet demand, which in a city this size is frequent. Because IFAs work across multiple boroughs simultaneously, they often give you more flexibility in the type of child you are matched with. Several agencies listed here focus on specific areas: therapeutic fostering, placements for children with disabilities, or parent-and-child assessments. Allowances and support packages vary considerably between providers, which is exactly why comparing them before making contact is worth the time.

For practical guidance on choosing between the options available to you, read our guide: How to choose a fostering agency: 10 vital questions to ask.

Exploring fostering options across the wider UK? Browse all fostering agencies on our UK homepage.

Fostering guides

Practical advice to help you find the right fostering provider and understand the journey ahead.

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