Fostering in Bromley: Local Allowances and Agency Contacts

Thinking about fostering in Bromley? Here’s a clear, practical guide to what you could receive in allowances, how Bromley Council supports foster carers, and who to contact to start the process. We’ve also included trusted sources and local agency options so you can compare support packages and decide the best route for your family.

What foster carers in Bromley can expect financially

Allowances are paid to cover a child’s day-to-day costs (food, clothing, utilities, transport, clubs, birthdays/celebrations). On top of the allowance, many services pay a separate carer fee/skill payment that recognises your time and expertise. Your total weekly amount is therefore allowance + any carer fee + agreed extras (e.g., mileage, holiday payments).

London’s 2025/26 minimum weekly allowances (England)

Because Bromley is a London borough, the London band of England’s National Minimum Allowance (NMA) applies. For 6 April 2025 – 5 April 2026, the GOV.UK rates are:

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

These are minimums set by central government; local authorities and independent fostering agencies (IFAs) can pay more via additional fees.

Bromley Council examples (including Parent & Child)

Bromley publishes worked examples for some schemes. For Parent & Child (P&C) fostering, Bromley indicates the child-related element is paid at the upper age level (i.e., £299), with a professional fee that brings a typical total to £813.94/week for the household (breakdown shown on Bromley’s site). This illustrates how allowance + fee can sit noticeably above the basic minimum. Always check your exact package at assessment.

Tip: When comparing providers, ask for the figures separated into the child’s allowance vs the carer fee, plus mileage rates, birthday/holiday payments, respite arrangements and any retainers for gaps between placements. This makes like-for-like comparisons much easier.

Who to contact in Bromley (Council)

If you’d like to foster directly with the Council, contact the Bromley Fostering Team:

• Phone: 020 8461 7701
• Email: fostering@bromley.gov.uk
• Address: Fostering Team, Bromley Civic Centre, Churchill Court, 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, BR1 1AS

Bromley’s enquiry form is here if you prefer to register interest online. You’ll usually get an information call and next steps for an initial visit and the Skills to Foster training.

For duty/out-of-hours practical contacts (more relevant once you’re approved/a carer), Bromley also lists a fostering duty number and an out-of-hours support line. Keep these in your phone once you’re caring.

Local independent fostering agencies serving Bromley

Some families prefer an IFA (Independent Fostering Agency) due to specialist training, therapeutic support or fee structures. Here are examples with Bromley presence—use them to benchmark packages and training:

• Compass Fostering (Bromley region page) – recruiting locally; highlights training and support.
• TACT (Bromley) – charity provider working across London & South; recruiting carers in Bromley.
• ISP Bromley – therapeutic fostering model with enhanced clinical/education support.
• Sunbeam Fostering (Bromley) – publishes sample “up to” pay figures and local team details.

Neutral note: Providers can offer strong packages, but recent sector analysis has raised concerns about overall costs and market concentration in England; weigh support quality and stability alongside headline “up to” figures.

How to choose between Bromley Council and an IFA

1) Support & training:
Ask who your supervising social worker will be, visit frequency, 24/7 on-call, and access to clinicians/therapists, education advisers and support groups. Therapeutic schemes (e.g., PACE-informed practice) can be invaluable for complex needs.

2) Placements mix:
Clarify typical age ranges, sibling groups, Parent & Child, UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking children), disability/complex needs, and how often you can expect referrals for your preferred profile.

3) Money (beyond the minimum):
Get the written weekly breakdown for common scenarios (e.g., one child age 11–15; two siblings 5–10 & 11–15), including mileage, holiday/birthday, equipment, school uniform contributions and respite nights. Compare these to the London NMA table so you can see the top-up clearly.

4) Matching & stability:
Ask how matching decisions are made, the information you’ll receive at referral, and what happens if a placement becomes unstable (extra supervision, multi-agency meetings, respite options).

5) Your long-term goals:
If you hope to specialise (e.g., therapeutic or Parent & Child), choose a provider with proven training, mentoring and peer networks for that pathway. Bromley’s P&C example shows how enhanced fees can reflect the extra assessment/reporting responsibilities.

Step-by-step: starting your fostering application in Bromley

1) Enquiry & initial call
Make contact with Bromley Fostering by phone or email (or complete the online form). You’ll have an informal chat about your home, support network, experience with children and availability.

2) Information session & home visit
You’ll be invited to an information event or visited at home to discuss fostering types, expectations, allowance versus fee, and the assessment timeline. Bromley regularly advertises sessions across local channels.

3) Training: Skills to Foster
This foundation course covers safe caring, attachment/trauma, recording, education and teamwork around the child.

4) Assessment (Form F)
Your assessing social worker gathers references, DBS, medicals and a detailed family profile before presenting you to the fostering panel for approval.

5) Matching & first placement
Once approved, your supervising social worker will discuss potential matches. Have your household safer-caring plan, bedroom arrangements and transport plan ready so you can say “yes” confidently.

Tax relief that helps your take-home

Alongside allowances/fees, England’s Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) reduces (and often removes) tax on fostering income. For 2025/26, QCR includes a fixed amount plus a weekly amount per child, which means many carers pay no income tax on fostering receipts below their “qualifying amount.” Check HMRC’s latest figures or ask an accountant to maximise relief.

Quick FAQs for Bromley

Do I need a spare room?
Generally yes, a dedicated bedroom is expected for each child (with very limited exceptions). Your assessing worker will explain local expectations.

How much will I actually receive per week?
At minimum, the London NMA applies (see table). Most services then add a carer fee and extras such as mileage, respite and celebration allowances—Bromley’s P&C example shows how totals can exceed the minimum significantly.

Who do I call to start?
Bromley Fostering Team – 020 8461 7701, fostering@bromley.gov.uk (or complete the enquiry form).

Bottom line

Bromley sits inside the London allowance band, so the 2025/26 minimums are among the highest in England—and local fees can lift your overall package even further. Start with the Bromley Fostering Team to understand council support, then compare with a couple of local IFAs to see which model, training and wraparound services fit your home and goals. With clear figures in writing and a good feel for the support on offer, you’ll be ready to offer a stable, nurturing home to a Bromley child who needs it.