Fostering in Ealing: How to Apply, Support and Agencies

Thinking about fostering in Ealing? You’re in a great place to start. Ealing has an active, well-supported council fostering service alongside several independent fostering agencies (IFAs), with clear routes to apply, strong training, and additional financial and practical support. This guide walks you through how to apply, the support you’ll receive, and who to contact—plus what to know about allowances and the different agency options.

How to apply to foster in Ealing

1) Make an enquiry.
Start with Ealing Council’s fostering pages or the dedicated Foster with Ealing site. You can call the team, email, or register for an information session to ask questions about your circumstances, time commitments, spare room, and support network. Contact details are published publicly—including a phone line and email—and there’s an enquiry form if you prefer a call-back.

2) Initial visit and checks.
If you decide to proceed, the council (or your chosen IFA) will arrange an initial home visit to discuss fostering in more detail and check basic suitability—such as accommodation, safety considerations, household members, and pets. This is also your chance to explore placement types (short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent & child) and the support you can expect. Ealing publishes clear information on “who can foster,” training, and the role of carers.

3) Preparation training (“Skills to Foster”).
Before formal assessment, new applicants attend a preparation course. Ealing notes that most people find this training practical and confidence-building—covering attachment, safer caring, recording, education, contact with birth family and more.

4) Full assessment (Form F).
Your assessing social worker will complete a comprehensive assessment (background checks, references, medicals, safeguarding history, finances, and a detailed profile of your experience and strengths). This culminates in a fostering panel, which makes a recommendation to the agency decision-maker about your approval. (Ealing’s site outlines this pathway and what to expect.)

5) Matching and first placement.
Once approved, you’ll work with your supervising social worker to consider referrals and agree the right match. You’ll have ongoing supervision visits, training, and access to local support networks (see below).

Tip: If you’re already fostering with another agency and want to transfer into Ealing, the council provides guidance on the transfer process and how your experience is recognised.

What support do Ealing foster carers receive?

Structured training and supervision.
Ealing provides an initial preparation course and ongoing CPD, plus regular supervision and unannounced visits in line with national standards. The Foster with Ealing site emphasises a clear training pathway to build skills over time.

Peer support and community.
Ealing has promoted a “family-style” peer-support network for foster carers—drawing on the Mockingbird model, where groups of fostering households (a “constellation”) meet for social activities, sleepovers, and practical support led by a hub home carer. The council’s own news pages highlight this local network and its aims (stability, shared learning, short-breaks). For background on how Mockingbird works, see The Fostering Network’s national programme page.

Practical help and local incentives.
Ealing publicised additional measures in late-2024 to support recruitment and retention, including increased allowances, council tax exemptions and parking permits—part of a wider push to grow local in-house fostering. Always check the current position when you enquire, as incentives may be updated.

Financial support (allowances and fees).
Across England, foster carers receive a child’s allowance (for day-to-day costs) and, typically, a separate carer fee/skill payment. Ealing explains this structure clearly—allowance varies by the child’s age; fees reflect your skills and the complexity of the placement. Some pages summarise the package and how expenses (like mileage, birthdays and holidays) are handled.

What are the current allowance rates?

England’s National Minimum Fostering Allowance (NMA) is set annually and varies by region and age. For 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the London weekly minimums are:

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

These are minimums; agencies can and often do pay above this via fees and supplements. Because Ealing is a London borough, these London NMA figures apply as the baseline.

Remember: allowance (for the child’s costs) is separate from your fee/skill payment. When comparing, ask for a written breakdown showing (1) allowance by age band, (2) your fee level, and (3) extras—such as respite rates, retainer fees between placements, mileage for school runs and contact, equipment, holiday and birthday allowances. Ealing and West London partnership sites describe this structure.

Council fostering vs independent fostering agencies in Ealing

You can foster either with Ealing Council or with an independent fostering agency (IFA) that works with multiple local authorities. Each route has pros and cons; the “best” choice depends on your location, availability, and the types of placements you’re open to.

Ealing Council (in-house)

• Direct link to local social work teams and Ealing schools/health partners.
• Priority for local placements (helpful for school continuity and contact).
• Clear training pathway and local peer networks.
• Public incentives and borough-specific support.

Independent Fostering Agencies (selection)

• IFAs such as Compass and Sunbeam advertise strong training and 24/7 support, sometimes with higher overall packages (allowance + fee) depending on needs and skills.
• They work across London, so placements may come from several boroughs; discuss travel expectations.

Whichever route you choose, compare like-for-like (child’s allowance, fee level, add-ons, respite, out-of-hours support, specialist training such as therapeutic/parent & child/UASC) and ask about matching (how referrals are shared and how you can say yes/no).

Private fostering: different rules, different duty

If a child under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) lives with someone who is not a close relative for 28 days or more, this may be private fostering—a separate legal arrangement that must be notified to the council. Ealing publishes clear guidance, including the number to call if you are in or aware of such an arrangement. (Private fostering is not the same as becoming an approved foster carer.)

Key contacts and next steps

• Foster with Ealing (Ealing Council) – enquiry line, email and info sessions are listed publicly; there’s also a simple online form for call-backs. The site explains allowances, training and how to get started.
• Ealing Council – Fostering & Adoption hub pages – overview of criteria, training, support, allowances and transfer guidance.
• IFAs serving Ealing – examples include Compass and Sunbeam; compare their packages, training and support with the council option.

Frequently asked questions (fast answers)

Do I need a spare room?
Yes, in most cases a spare bedroom is required so a child or young person has their own space (with some exceptions for very young babies in specific scenarios). Confirm this during your enquiry call.

How long does the process take?
Many applicants move from enquiry to panel in several months, depending on checks, training dates and your availability. Preparation training in Ealing is scheduled regularly, and the council encourages questions at information sessions to speed things up.

How much will I be paid?
At minimum, the London NMA applies (see table above). On top of that, expect a fee/skill payment—and in Ealing, the council highlights additional support measures and expenses. Always request a written breakdown.

Final word

Ealing offers a straightforward route into fostering, from the first enquiry and preparation course to ongoing training and peer support. With published contact points, regular info sessions, and a growing local support network inspired by Mockingbird, the borough is focused on helping carers succeed—and on keeping children close to the communities they know. If you’re ready, book into an information session or send an enquiry today and have a no-pressure conversation about what fostering could look like for you.