Fostering in Brent: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about becoming a foster carer in Brent? You’re in the right place. This guide brings together the latest allowance figures, a clear picture of who supports foster carers locally, and a step-by-step application route tailored to Brent. It’s written to help potential carers compare options confidently and get started without the guesswork.

Why foster in Brent?

Brent is one of London’s most diverse boroughs, with growing demand for carers who can offer safety, stability, and cultural understanding. The council’s fostering team actively recruits local carers and sets out what support you can expect (training, supervision, out-of-hours help, peer groups) as soon as you enquire.

Beyond the moral “why”, there’s a practical one: support in Brent is structured—from information evenings and home visits through to the panel and your first placement—so you’re not walking the path alone.

Fostering allowances in Brent (2025/26)

In England, foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child. The UK Government updates the national minimum fostering allowance each April. For the tax year 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the minimum weekly rates are:

• London:
  • Age 0–2: £198
  • 3–4: £201
  • 5–10: £225
  • 11–15: £257
  • 16–17: £299

(For comparison: South East and the Rest of England have lower minima; London bands reflect higher living costs. The Government confirmed a 3.55% uplift for England for 2025/26. )

Local top-ups and examples you may see

Many councils and agencies pay above the minimum via skill-based fees and supplements (for complexity, age, or placement type). Brent-specific pages show examples of enhanced rates—e.g., “up to about £445/week” on a West London council hub, and a separate “up to £630/week” illustration on a Brent recruitment site. Treat these as indicative, not fixed—final pay depends on the child’s needs, your experience, and the scheme you join. Always ask for a written breakdown of allowance vs. fee vs. extras (birthdays, holidays, mileage) before you say yes.

Tip: When comparing offers, request:

• A table showing the base allowance by age and any skill/retainer fees.
• What’s covered (food, clothing, utilities) vs. reimbursable extras (equipment, mileage, contact travel, holidays).
• How respite, retainers during gaps, and short-notice placements are paid.

Who can foster in Brent?

Brent sets straightforward entry criteria: be 21+, have indefinite leave to remain, suitable space (spare room for most placements; space for a cot for 0–2s), live in Brent or a neighbouring borough, be financially stable, flexible, and have a supportive network. Applications are welcomed from single people and couples, with or without children, across all backgrounds.

Types of fostering needed locally

Brent recruits for the main placement types you’ll see across London: short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, and specialist roles like parent & child or therapeutic fostering. Your allowance/fee may vary with complexity and the support/training you undertake.

How to apply: the Brent route, step by step

Brent’s process is designed to be clear and paced, typically moving from first chat to panel in a few months (timelines vary). Here’s how it works:

1) Talk to the fostering team

Start with an initial conversation. You can book an information evening to meet staff and carers, ask questions about bedroom space, pets, work hours, and see if now is the right time.

2) Home visit (pre-application)

A social worker visits to discuss your experience, health, finances, relationships, and support network. This helps you understand the commitment and lets Brent advise on the best placement types for you.

3) Application form

Once the home visit is positive, complete the formal application to begin your assessment.

4) Assessment (Form F)

This involves DBS and medical checks, references, home safety checks, and a series of structured interviews to build your profile. You’ll complete the ‘Skills to Foster’ training during this stage.

5) Fostering panel

A multi-disciplinary panel reviews your assessment and makes a recommendation. A decision maker then confirms your approval category (e.g., age range, number of children).

6) First placement and support

After approval, you’ll work with your supervising social worker on matching, recording, and care plans. Expect regular supervision visits, ongoing training, and 24/7 support.

If you’re already approved with another agency, Brent also provides a transfer pathway so your experience is recognised and disruption is minimised.

Local authority vs. independent fostering agency (IFA): what’s the difference?

Both options operate in and around Brent:

• Local authority (Brent Council)
  • You’re part of the borough’s team; placements are typically local, with direct access to social care networks, schools, and health partners.
  • Training and support are integrated with local services.
  • Pay can include allowance + skill fee, with top-ups for complexity.
• Independent fostering agencies (IFAs)
  • IFAs contract with councils when a child’s needs require particular support or when the council has no in-house vacancy.
  • Pay often exceeds the national minimum and can look higher headline-wise, but always compare what’s covered and the level of support, travel, and expectations. London-based IFAs openly advertise typical ranges to help you benchmark.

How to choose:

• Ask each provider for written rates by child age and need, a list of reimbursable costs, and the average placement occupancy (to understand gaps between placements).
• Compare the support package (24/7 line, therapy access, specialist training, peer groups) and how matching protects your household.
• Check Ofsted/ILACS information and council performance context to understand service quality and improvement focus.

Extra costs, benefits and tax

Besides weekly allowances/fees, many carers claim mileage (school runs, contact sessions) and receive holiday/birthday/festive contributions depending on scheme rules. Keep receipts and logs—agencies and councils will advise on what’s claimable.

For income tax, foster carers in the UK can usually use Qualifying Care Relief, which shelters a large portion (and often all) of fostering income from tax. You still complete a Self Assessment each year; your provider’s training should cover record-keeping and deadlines. (Check HMRC guidance or ask a tax adviser for your situation.)

Education, SEND and multi-agency support in Brent

Children in care benefit from Virtual School oversight, PEPs (Personal Education Plans), and access to SEND pathways where needed. Brent’s 2025 local area SEND inspection highlights strengths and areas being improved (for example, waits for assessments). As a carer, you’ll liaise with schools, health, and social workers to secure the right support.

What happens after approval?

• Matching: You’ll receive placement referrals with key information (age, needs, school, contact). Ask questions about risk, routines, transport, and support before accepting.
• Supervision & training: Expect regular visits, reflective supervision, and ongoing CPD (e.g., safeguarding, therapeutic care, online safety).
• Recording: You’ll keep daily logs, attend reviews, and contribute to care planning. Your supervising social worker will show you what and how to record.

How to start your fostering application in Brent

1. Make an enquiry / book an info evening – speak to the Brent Fostering team and meet current carers.
2. Home visit – discuss your household, space, experience and motivations.
3. Apply and begin assessment – DBS, medicals, references and the Skills to Foster course.
4. Panel & decision – agree your approval terms; get matched with your first placement.

Who to contact: Use the council’s fostering pages to enquire directly, or submit a form via the Foster with Your Council/West London hub pages for Brent if that’s easier. Either route connects you with the Brent fostering team.

Quick comparison checklist (Brent-ready)

• Rates: Ask for a written split of allowance vs. fee, plus extras (holidays, birthdays, mileage).
• Support: 24/7 line? Therapeutic input? Peer groups? Respite?
• Training: What’s mandatory now, and what advances your skill fee later?
• Matching: How are referrals screened? Average distance to school/contact?
• Occupancy: Typical weeks with/without a placement over the last year.
• Quality info: Check recent inspection/performance context to see strengths and improvements.

Final word

Fostering in Brent pairs the London-weighted national allowance with local top-ups and strong practical support—from first enquiry through to your first placement and beyond. If you have a spare room (or cot space for 0–2s), time, and the desire to make a difference, Brent’s team will guide you through each step, help you compare options fairly, and make sure the financial and practical pieces are clear before you commit. Start with a conversation and an information evening—then let the process show you where you fit best.