Fostering in Croydon: Agencies, Allowances and Fast-Track Tips

Thinking about fostering in Croydon? You’re in a great place to start. Croydon has one of London’s largest populations of children and young people, and the borough runs an active recruitment programme alongside a number of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs). Below you’ll find clear information on who to apply to, what you’ll be paid, and how to speed up your approval—without cutting corners on safety or quality.

Who should you apply with in Croydon?

You’ve got two main routes:

1) Croydon Council Fostering Service (local authority).
Croydon recruits, trains and supports its own foster carers. Council schemes typically offer strong links with local schools, health teams and social workers. Croydon publishes its fees and allowances openly and issues an annual report on performance, training and development—useful for understanding the support culture.

2) Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs).
IFAs recruit carers, then match placements commissioned by councils (including Croydon). Packages often include higher skill fees for complex placements and wrap-around support. Availability and pay vary by agency; check Ofsted ratings and ask for a written breakdown separating the child’s allowance from the carer fee.

A new “front door”: Recruitment Support Hubs (Foster with Us).
England is rolling out regional hubs that act as a first point of contact. They run impartial info sessions, answer eligibility questions and signpost you to the right provider (your local authority or a partner). If you’re early in your journey and unsure whether the council or an IFA suits you, this is a low-pressure way to start.

What will you be paid in 2025/26?

All carers must receive at least the national minimum fostering allowance (NMA) for the child, and London has its own higher band. For 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the London NMA is: £198 (0–2), £201 (3–4), £225 (5–10), £257 (11–15), £299 (16–17) per week. Croydon sits in the London band.

That’s the child’s allowance. On top of this, Croydon Council states that total weekly payments (allowance + carer fee + extras) typically fall between £430 and £530 per child, depending on age and need. Each placement can differ—for example, higher rates for teens or complex needs.

Don’t forget tax relief.
Most foster carers pay little or no income tax on fostering income thanks to Qualifying Care Relief (QCR). For 2025/26, HMRC confirms QCR with a fixed annual household amount plus a weekly amount per child; check the current helpsheet when you register for Self Assessment. It’s designed to keep the child’s costs tax-free and simplify your return.

Tip: When comparing providers, always ask them to show:

• the child allowance (meets or exceeds the London NMA),
• the carer fee/skill payment,
• extras (birthday/holiday, equipment, mileage, retainer).
  Clarity here avoids surprises later.

Eligibility basics (and how Croydon views them)

Croydon—like other London boroughs—assesses on your ability to provide safe, stable care rather than on a narrow “ideal profile”. In practice, you can foster if you’re single or partnered, renting or owning, working or at home, provided you can meet the child’s needs and have the time and stability to do so. You’ll need:

• A spare bedroom (exceptions are rare and risk-assessed).
• A stable home and support network.
• Openness to background checks (DBS, medicals, references).
• Willingness to train (e.g., Skills to Foster) and keep records.

Croydon’s Statement of Purpose sets out how the service meets national standards and what applicants can expect from enquiry to panel—worth skimming before you call.

The application pathway (and where time is lost

A typical journey: enquiry → home visit → application (Form F) → training → panel → approval. Most delays happen because of checks (DBS, GP medicals, references) or because applicants need more time to develop a safer caring plan, evidence routines, or address minor home adjustments. Good preparation shortens the timeline significantly.

Fast-track tips for Croydon applicants

1) Start your checks on Day 1.
As soon as you enquire, prepare your ID, address history and referee list (at least three; include a professional reference). If you rent, line up written landlord consent now. Parallel-processing these tasks can shave weeks off your timeline.

2) Pre-write your “safer caring” basics.
Draft house rules for bedroom/bathroom privacy, visitors, phones/social media, transport and medicine storage. Bring this to your initial visit—it shows readiness and gives your assessing social worker a head start.

3) Book your GP appointment early.
Medical checks can bottleneck if surgeries are busy. Ask what the practice needs (ID, forms, fee) and book proactively.

4) Evidence your support network.
List who can step in for school runs, appointments, emergencies. If they’ll provide occasional babysitting, note their availability and whether they’re willing to meet the team (some may require basic safeguarding checks).

5) Complete “Skills to Foster” with intent.
Use the training to gather real-life examples for your Form F (managing routines, boundaries, working with schools). Specifics make panel easier.

6) Keep a simple home file.
A folder with: ID, utility bill, landlord letter or mortgage proof, insurance, car docs (MOT, business-use insurance if you’ll drive), pet vaccination/certificates, risk assessments for ponds/trampolines—saves everyone time.

7) Ask about placement types in demand.
Croydon, like many London boroughs, often needs carers for teens, sibling groups and emergency/short-term placements. Being open (within your capacity) can mean a quicker match after approval. Sector data shows approvals have been falling while demand remains, so flexibility helps you start faster.

8) Use the hub for early screening.
If you’re unsure whether to apply to Croydon or an IFA, book an information session via the Foster with Us hub. It’s designed to answer “Am I eligible?” fast and route you correctly so you don’t restart later.

Croydon vs IFAs: what should guide your choice?

• Integration with local services: Council teams often have closer daily links with schools, CAMHS and health in the borough. That can mean smoother PEP meetings and quicker problem-solving.
• Payments: Some IFAs advertise higher total packages (especially for complex placements). Compare like-for-like after tax relief, and factor in extras (retainers during gaps, respite rates).
• Support model: Ask about out-of-hours support, supervision frequency, therapist access, peer groups (Mockingbird or similar), and training hours.
• Travel and contact: Consider typical contact locations and school distances. If you’re London-based without a car, clarify expectations and mileage/transport reimbursement.

What to include in your first call or enquiry form

Prepare quick answers to:

• Why fostering, and what ages/needs feel right to start with?
• Home set-up: spare room, who lives with you, pets.
• Work pattern: availability for school hours, contact runs, meetings.
• Support network: names and roles.
• Transport: car, licences, willingness to travel across South London.

Clear, concise responses help the team judge fit and book your home visit faster.

After approval: getting your first placement

Say yes safely—ask for the referral pack and clarify: school, contact frequency/location, health needs, birth family dynamics, transport expectations, and allowance/fee for the exact age/needs. Log expenses from day one (mileage, equipment, activities). Most authorities provide birthday/holiday/festive payments in addition to the weekly allowance; Croydon’s total packages already factor allowance + fee + extras.

Key numbers to remember for 2025/26 (Croydon, London band)

• National Minimum Allowance (child costs, weekly): London band £198–£299 depending on age.
• Croydon Council typical total weekly package: ~£430–£530 per child (allowance + fee + extras; varies by age/needs).
• Tax relief (QCR): HMRC’s 2025/26 helpsheet confirms the scheme that keeps most or all fostering income tax-free for many carers—check details when you register for Self Assessment.

Final thought

If you’re ready to move, pick a route (Croydon Council or a reputable IFA), start your checks immediately, and keep documents tidy. Use the Foster with Us hub if you want neutral guidance before you commit. With the London-band allowances, Croydon’s clear payments framework and a focused, well-prepared application, you can move from first enquiry to approval efficiently—and, most importantly, be ready to offer a stable, caring home to a child who needs it.