Fostering in Bromley: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in the London Borough of Bromley? You’re in a strong place to start. Bromley Children’s Services currently holds an Ofsted “Outstanding” judgement across all areas, which speaks to the quality of support and outcomes for children—and for foster carers working with the council.

Below you’ll find a clear, non-jargony guide to: what fostering in Bromley involves, how much you’ll typically receive, who supports you (local authority and independent agencies), and exactly how to apply—step by step.

1) Fostering allowances in Bromley (2025/26): what you can expect

Every fostering household receives a weekly allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child (food, clothing, transport, activities, utilities, etc.). In England, the Department for Education (DfE) sets national minimum fostering allowance rates that update each April. For the 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026 tax year, the London minimum weekly rates are:

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

Bromley’s own fostering service pays at least these national minimums and highlights “top-of-the-scale weekly pay and maintenance allowance,” with training and support layered on. Local authority schemes may also include enhancements for specific placement types, and extras such as birthday/holiday amounts and mileage for school runs or contact.

Parent & child (P&C) fostering example

For specialist arrangements like parent & child (sometimes called ‘mother & baby’) Bromley publishes an indicative package that combines the child’s allowance (at the upper age rate) with a professional fee—totalling £813.94 per week (figures shown on Bromley’s site for P&C). This illustrates how specialist placements can attract higher payments than mainstream.

Why you’ll see different figures online

You’ll find variation between councils and independent fostering agencies (IFAs). That’s normal: carers often receive a child allowance (to meet the child’s costs) plus a carer fee based on skill/experience or placement complexity. The national minimum is the floor, not the ceiling; London authorities and IFAs frequently pay above that level, especially for teens, sibling groups, emergency or therapeutic fostering. Sector updates in early 2025 confirmed an uplift to England’s minimum rates for 2025/26.

2) Support you’ll get when fostering in Bromley

Bromley emphasises training, supervision and practical help, including clear routes to advice if challenges crop up. The council highlights best-in-class training, ongoing professional development, and a staffed support offer designed to match its Ofsted rating.

The borough also runs regular information sessions (online and local) where you can hear from staff and carers, ask questions about allowances and the assessment, and understand what different placements involve. If you’re at the “just exploring” stage, these are a low-pressure way to get answers.

3) Who can you foster with in Bromley? (Council vs IFAs)

You can apply to foster either with Bromley Council (the local authority) or with an independent fostering agency (IFA) that recruits in the area. Here’s how to think about the choice:

• Bromley Council (Local Authority): You’ll be part of the borough’s own carer community, working closely with Bromley’s social work teams, Virtual School and local partners. Matching often focuses on meeting Bromley’s internal demand, which can mean good continuity with local schools, health, and contact arrangements. The council actively invites enquiries and provides a clear eligibility summary on age, spare room and safeguarding expectations.
• Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs): Several reputable IFAs recruit in and around Bromley. Examples include TACT (a national charity), ISP Fostering, and other Ofsted-registered services with Bromley locations. IFAs typically offer extensive 24/7 support and, in some cases, therapeutic packages; placement matching may cover a wider geography. Always check recent Ofsted reports and ask for a written breakdown of allowances, fees, respite, and training commitments.

Tip: Whichever route you consider, compare: weekly pay (allowance + fee), respite nights, out-of-hours support, training expectations, and the typical needs/age groups they place. Choosing the provider whose support model fits your household is often more important than a small difference in headline pay.

4) Eligibility and home requirements in Bromley

Bromley sets out straightforward entry criteria. You can apply if you:

• are aged 21+;
• have a spare bedroom for a fostered child;
• have no serious criminal convictions (e.g. violent or sexual offences).

Formal qualifications aren’t essential; the council looks for people with the time, space, stability and empathy to care, and asks for commitment to training. A DBS check, medical, references, and a home safety assessment are standard checks as part of the national process.

5) How to apply in Bromley: the step-by-step process

While each household’s timeline differs, the Bromley process mirrors national good practice and is mapped clearly on the council website. Here’s the typical journey:

Step 1: Enquire and attend an information session

Submit an online enquiry to Bromley or call the fostering team. Many prospective carers attend a taster session first to understand roles, support and pay.

Step 2: Initial home visit and screening

A social worker visits to talk through your circumstances, the spare room, pets, transport, working patterns, and your support network. They’ll explain next steps and the types of placements the service needs most.

Step 3: Training – “Skills to Foster”

Foundational training helps you understand trauma, safer caring, recording, education, contact with birth family, and working with a professional network.

Step 4: Checks and Form F assessment

You’ll complete a Form F assessment (a comprehensive profile of your family, skills, motivation and experience). Standard checks include DBS, medical, references, and property safety. Your assessing social worker will meet you regularly across several weeks to compile the report.

Step 5: Fostering panel

An independent panel reads your Form F and meets you to ask a few reflective questions. They make a recommendation to the agency decision maker. If approved, you can be matched with children whose needs fit your household.

Step 6: Matching and first placement

Bromley (or your chosen IFA) will share referral information—age, needs, school, health, contact arrangements—and discuss allowances/fees for that placement before you agree. Good matching is crucial for stability; it’s okay to say no if a placement isn’t right for your family.

6) What kinds of fostering are in demand locally?

Across London, councils seek carers for teens, sibling groups, and short-term or emergency placements to keep children closer to school, friends and family. Specialist routes—therapeutic, parent & child, or UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking children)—also feature in placement needs and may come with higher payments and additional training. Keeping recruitment strong is a national priority in 2025 to tackle shortages.

7) Taxes and benefits: the quick version

Most carers in England use Qualifying Care Relief, a favourable HMRC scheme that simplifies record-keeping and means many carers pay little or no income tax on fostering payments. You’ll still need to register for Self Assessment and keep basic records of placements and weeks. (Ask Bromley’s team or your IFA for a starter briefing and a sample log.) The DfE minimum rates above are designed to cover the child’s costs; any separate carer fee is your income for tax purposes.

8) Three things to do before you apply

1. Check your spare room
   Make sure the bedroom is ready for a child or teen—bed, storage, desk or study space if possible, and working smoke alarms. In most cases, fostered children need their own bedroom; exceptions are limited and risk-assessed (for example, siblings by prior agreement).
2. Plan logistics
   Think through school runs, contact, activities and health appointments. You don’t always need a car, but reliable transport is vital; mileage is usually reimbursed according to your provider’s policy.
3. Map your support network
   Agencies want to see who can step in—partners, relatives, friends—and how you’ll manage work, holidays and emergencies. Bromley emphasises the importance of training and ongoing support; bring those questions to an info session.

9) Independent agencies operating in and around Bromley (examples)

To help your comparison shopping, here are example IFAs with a presence or dedicated page for Bromley. This is not a recommendation—always review the latest Ofsted report and ask each provider for a written breakdown of allowances/fees/respite.

• TACT – large UK fostering charity; runs London & South team and public information events (including virtual).
• ISP Fostering – therapeutic-focused IFA with a Bromley location page and details on respite, clothing/activities funding, and support.
• Fostering Support Group (London Office, Shortlands BR2) – Ofsted-registered independent fostering service with a Bromley address (check the latest inspection outcome).
• Hatols Fostering Service (Anerley, Bromley) – Ofsted page lists a Bromley address; verify status and reports directly.

When you contact an IFA, ask: “What weekly package (allowance + carer fee) would apply for a Bromley teen? What about siblings or P&C? What respite is included? What’s the 24/7 support model?”

10) How to start your Bromley application today

• Enquire with Bromley Council: Start online and book the next info event (there are frequent online sessions).
• Or compare IFAs: Shortlist two or three agencies, read their Ofsted reports, and ask for a written allowances/fees breakdown for the placements they most often offer in South East London.
• Prepare documents: ID, proof of address, space for DBS details, GP info for the fostering medical, and contacts for personal references. (Your assessing social worker will guide you through this.)

Frequently asked quick questions

Do I need a spare room to foster in Bromley?
Yes—Bromley specifies a spare bedroom for the child, with limited exceptions (for example, some siblings).

How long does the process take?
Timelines vary, but expect several months from enquiry to approval (training, checks, and your Form F assessment), followed by panel.

Will I get extra for birthdays, holidays or mileage?
Yes—schemes typically include extras for birthdays/holidays and mileage claims. Specialist placements (e.g., parent & child) can attract enhanced packages.

Is Bromley a good place to foster?
Bromley’s Outstanding Ofsted judgement (published 12 January 2024) indicates strong leadership and practice. That’s encouraging for carers who want robust support.

Bottom line

If you live in or near Bromley and have a spare room, time and the desire to make a difference, you’ll find a well-supported fostering community and clear financial frameworks. Start with an information session to get your questions answered, compare the allowances and support offered by Bromley and nearby IFAs, and pick the route that best fits your household.

When you’re ready, reach out to Bromley Fostering for the next available session and an initial conversation about your home, work pattern and the types of placements that will set you—and a child—up for success.