Fostering in Dartford: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in Dartford? You’re in a great place to start. Dartford sits on the Kent–London border with strong transport links, busy schools and a real need for more local foster families. Children who are able to stay close to their birth communities tend to keep their school places, friendships and support networks—so new carers in and around Dartford make a big, immediate difference. National figures show approvals have fallen while demand has risen, so Kent (and the wider South East) is actively recruiting.

Below you’ll find a plain-English guide to the money side (allowances and fees), the agencies serving Dartford, and a clear, step-by-step application route so you know exactly what happens from your first enquiry through to panel.

Allowances and fees in Dartford (2025/26)

In England, every fostering service must pay at least the National Minimum Allowance (NMA). These minimums change each April and vary by region and the child’s age. Dartford sits in the South East band (it is not London-weighted). For the tax year 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the government’s weekly minimum is:

• Age 0–2: £189 (South East)
• Age 3–4: £196
• Age 5–10: £216
• Age 11–15: £247
• Age 16–17: £288

Think of this as the maintenance allowance—it’s designed to cover the child’s day-to-day costs (food, clothing, utilities, school needs, activities, etc.). On top, most fostering services pay a carer fee (sometimes called a “reward” or “skill” payment) which reflects your training, experience, and the complexity of placements. For example, Kent Fostering (the local authority service) explains that payments come in two parts (maintenance + carer fee) and that specialist arrangements such as Parent & Child can attract much higher overall packages (they cite examples over £1,100 per week for specific P&C setups). Exact figures depend on placement type and your level.

Beyond weekly pay, most services include extras such as birthday and festival allowances, holiday contributions, and mileage for school runs, contact and appointments. (The NMA is the floor, not the ceiling—local authorities and IFAs frequently top up to reflect local costs and needs. You’ll see these top-ups in each service’s payment policy.)

A quick note on tax (Qualifying Care Relief)

The majority of foster carers pay little or no tax on fostering income thanks to Qualifying Care Relief (QCR)—a simplified scheme set by HMRC. HMRC’s 2025 helpsheet explains how QCR works and the indexed 2025/26 amounts have been set in law (including an uplift to the fixed amount and weekly elements). You’ll still need to register for Self Assessment as self-employed, but many carers owe nothing after QCR. If your fostering income were to exceed your QCR threshold, you’d pay tax on the profit above it. If you’d prefer, you can instead use a normal profit-and-loss method. (Your supervising social worker and an accountant can help you choose.)

Which agencies serve Dartford?

You have two main routes:

1. Kent County Council – Kent Fostering (Local Authority)
   Kent Fostering is your local authority service. Benefits include close working with Dartford schools, the Virtual School, and in-house training/support. Kent publishes a clear “How to apply” route (see below) and has dedicated recruitment lines and online enquiry forms.
2. Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs)
   Several IFAs recruit carers in and around Dartford. These agencies are commissioned by councils to provide placements and may offer different fee structures, training and therapeutic support models. Examples with Dartford/Kent pages include ISP Fostering, Sunbeam Fostering, and Homefinding & Fostering. Always compare the support offer, respite, training pathway, and out-of-hours help—don’t pick on fees alone.

Tip: Some carers begin with Kent Fostering; others choose an IFA (especially for therapeutic schemes). Both routes need more carers. National and third-sector reporting continues to highlight shortages, which is why good local applicants are prioritised.

How to apply in Dartford: step-by-step

The process is designed to be thorough but supportive. In Kent, the council sets out a clear journey and aims to complete it within around six months for new applicants. Here’s what it looks like:

1. Initial enquiry
   Start with a quick call or online form. For Kent Fostering, you can call 0300 131 2797 (Mon–Fri, 9–5) or use their online enquiry form to book a call-back and an information chat.
2. Information chat & screening
   A recruiter will talk through your home, work pattern, support network, motivations and the types of fostering you’re open to. If you’d like to proceed, they note some initial questions and move you forward.
3. Home visit
   A social worker visits your home to meet the household, check space and safety, discuss pets, and explain what day-to-day fostering involves. (Don’t worry—this is collaborative, not a white-glove inspection.)
4. Background checks & references
   You’ll complete an Enhanced DBS (paid for by the service), provide medical information via your GP (also funded), and share references (personal and, depending on your circumstances, employer/landlord/previous partners, etc.). These checks are standard across England and required by regulation.
5. Preparation training: “Skills to Foster”
   You’ll attend pre-approval training—usually 3 days—covering safeguarding, attachment, behaviour, identity, education, and recording. You’ll also be introduced to foster carer mentors and, often, hear directly from care-experienced young people.
6. Form F assessment
   Over several sessions, your assessing social worker builds a full picture of you and your family: childhood, relationships, parenting experience, resilience, support network, and the kinds of placements that would be a good match. This culminates in a written Form F report.
7. Fostering panel and decision
   You and your social worker attend panel, a multi-disciplinary group that reviews your assessment and recommends approval terms (e.g., ages, number of children). The Agency Decision Maker then issues the final decision. If approved—congratulations!—you move to matching.
8. Matching and your first placement
   Your supervising social worker (SSW) will discuss referrals that fit your approval terms, location, and household dynamics. You can say yes—or no—to any match; it must be right for you and the child.

Who can foster in Dartford?

• Housing & bedrooms: A spare bedroom is normally required (exceptions are rare and tightly assessed).
• Work: You can foster if you work—many carers do—though flexibility for school hours, meetings and contact is important.
• Relationships & family: Single, married, cohabiting, LGBTQ+ carers—all are welcome. What matters is stability, capacity and support networks.
• Age & health: There’s no set upper age limit; medical fitness is assessed through your GP.
• Criminal record: A DBS is mandatory. Some offences are incompatible with fostering; be honest and open in your enquiry and Form F.

(These criteria are embedded in every service’s recruitment pathway and in Kent’s published application steps.)

Local life: what fostering in Dartford is like

Schools & education: Keeping a child in their school is often key to stability. Living in Dartford puts you close to schools in Dartford itself and nearby (Bexley, Gravesham, Swanley), plus strong transport links for cross-Kent college or specialist provision. Virtual School Kent works with carers to support attendance, PEPs, SEN/EHCP processes and Pupil Premium Plus (PP+). (Ask your supervising social worker how PP+ is used by schools so you can advocate effectively.)

Contact & travel: You’ll claim mileage for school runs, contact sessions and appointments. Keep simple logs/receipts so payments are processed smoothly. (Each service has its own mileage rate and rules—ask at enquiry stage.)

Support & training: Expect regular supervision, ongoing training, local support groups and access to out-of-hours help. Kent and many IFAs also offer mentor schemes pairing you with experienced carers in your first year.

LA or IFA—which should you choose?

There’s no single “right” answer, and many brilliant carers work in both sectors. A few pointers for Dartford:

• Integration with local services: The local authority can offer tight links with Kent’s social work teams, schools and health partners.
• Specialist therapeutic models: Some IFAs specialise in therapeutic and complex placements and may provide intensive training and multidisciplinary support.
• Money: Compare the whole package—weekly maintenance + fee, retainer arrangements, respite, training, supervision, and mileage—not just the headline rate.
• Culture and fit: Speak to existing carers if you can, attend info events, and ask every “silly” question. (They’re not silly.)

Market debates about cost and profit often hit the headlines; what matters for you is the day-to-day support you’ll receive and the stability you can offer a child.

FAQs for would-be Dartford carers

How long does it take to get approved?
Kent aims to complete new applications in around six months, allowing time for checks, medicals, training and the Form F assessment. IFAs use similar timescales.

Do I need a spare room?
Almost always yes. Having a private bedroom is a core safeguarding expectation in most cases, with rare, assessed exceptions (for example, some sibling arrangements).

What about tax and benefits?
Register as self-employed and complete a Self Assessment each year. Qualifying Care Relief significantly raises your tax-free threshold for fostering income; HMRC publishes the current figures and rules each April.

Are there extra payments for birthdays/holidays?
Yes—most services pay additional allowances for birthdays, festivals and holidays. They’ll also reimburse mileage for contact and education. Check your chosen service’s policy.

Can I say no to a placement?
Absolutely. Good matching protects you and the child. You can (and should) decline if it isn’t right for your household or approval terms. Kent describes this clearly in the apply process.

Ready to start?

• Kent Fostering (Local Authority): Call 0300 131 2797 (Mon–Fri 9–5) or use the online enquiry to book a chat. You’ll get a friendly run-through of the process, training, pay and support.
• Explore IFAs: Check ISP Fostering (Dartford), Sunbeam Fostering and Homefinding & Fostering for their local offer, training model and fees.

Bottom line: Dartford needs more foster carers. If you have a spare room, a steady home life and the heart for it, you’ll be guided through each step—from first call to panel, and beyond. The allowances are transparent, the support is there, and the impact a stable home can have on a child’s life is huge. Start with one conversation and see where it takes you.