Fostering Agencies in the West Midlands
Compare Fostering Agencies Across Birmingham, Coventry and the Wider West Midlands
Browse our city directories below, or enter your postcode to find agencies closest to your home.
Browse by city
Each city directory lets you compare and shortlist fostering agencies in that area.
Birmingham
Birmingham Children's Trust plus independent and national fostering agencies serving the city.
Browse Birmingham agencies →Coventry
Coventry City Council's fostering service plus independent and national agencies serving the city.
Browse Coventry agencies →Wolverhampton
Fostering for Wolverhampton plus independent and national agencies serving the city.
Browse Wolverhampton agencies →Solihull
Foster for Solihull plus independent and national agencies serving the borough.
Browse Solihull agencies →About Fostering Agencies in the West Midlands
The West Midlands is the UK's second-largest metropolitan area, spanning seven boroughs and home to more than 2.9 million people. Source: ONS Census 2021 Each borough has its own local authority fostering service, and alongside those sit dozens of independent and national agencies recruiting carers across the whole region. Understanding who operates in the area — and the differences between them — is a useful first step before you make contact with anyone.
There are two main types of fostering provider across the West Midlands. Both are regulated and inspected by Ofsted.
Local authority fostering services
Each West Midlands borough runs its own fostering team — Birmingham Children's Trust, Coventry City Council, Fostering for Wolverhampton and others. These services focus on finding carers for children already looked after by that particular council, and are often the natural starting point for people who want to foster close to home.
Independent fostering agencies (IFAs)
IFAs are run as private companies, charities or social enterprises. Councils commission them to find placements when their own in-house teams can't meet demand — which across a region the size of the West Midlands happens regularly. Many IFAs recruit carers across the whole region, and some specialise in placements for children with more complex needs or therapeutic requirements.
If you want to know more about fostering across the West Midlands — including the differences between councils and IFAs, eligibility requirements and what to expect from the assessment process — read our guide: Fostering in the West Midlands: your guide to agencies, areas and getting started.
National minimum allowance by age (2026/27 rates)
The UK Department for Education sets the baseline financial support for the "Rest of England" framework. For 2026/27, the mandatory weekly minimums for West Midlands local authorities are:
| Age group | Weekly minimum | Core purpose of funding |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 0 to 2 | £176 per week | Baby clothing, nutrition, developmental toys, and energy costs. |
| Ages 3 to 4 | £182 per week | Early years resources, social activities, and clothing updates. |
| Ages 5 to 10 | £201 per week | Primary school needs, hobbies, pocket money, and club fees. |
| Ages 11 to 15 | £227 per week | Secondary school resources, technology access, and social transport. |
| Ages 16 to 17 | £267 per week | Growing independence costs, educational travel, and life-skills preparation. |
Foster carer tax relief (HMRC Qualifying Care Relief)
Through the Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) scheme, fostering households across the West Midlands benefit from a dedicated tax-free threshold. For the current tax year, you do not pay income tax on your fostering income up to these amounts:
- Fixed£20,440 per year — a fixed household allowance, completely tax-free.
- Under 11+£435 per week for every child under 11 in your care.
- Ages 11++£515 per week for every young person aged 11 or over in your care.
Because these thresholds stack together, the vast majority of West Midlands foster carers pay £0 income tax on their entire annual fostering allowances and fees.
Fostering guides
Practical advice to help you find the right fostering provider and understand the journey ahead.
Guides
Fostering in the West Midlands: your guide to agencies, areas and getting started
A plain-English guide to the fostering landscape across the West Midlands — understanding the seven boroughs, your provider options, and how to take your first steps.
Read the guide →
Guides
How to choose a fostering agency: 10 vital questions to ask
Our ultimate guide on how to choose a fostering agency, featuring the 10 vital questions you must ask any provider on your shortlist.
Read the guide →Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering in the West Midlands
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