Fostering in Enfield: Agencies, Rates and Requirements

Thinking about becoming a foster carer in Enfield? You’re in a good place to start. Enfield has a mixed market of local authority fostering (via Enfield Council) and independent fostering agencies (IFAs) serving the borough. Below, you’ll find a clear rundown of who to apply with, how much you can expect to receive in 2025/26, and the requirements you’ll need to meet—from checks and training to your home setup. We’ll also show you how national allowances apply specifically to London rates, and where to find updates and support.

Who provides fostering in Enfield?

Enfield Council (Local Authority)

Enfield Council recruits, trains, supervises and supports local foster carers. The council emphasises wraparound support and highlights that its allowances can amount to over £500 per week depending on the child, your experience and the placement type. You can enquire, download an information pack, or attend drop-ins directly through the council’s fostering team. Contact 020 8379 2831 or fostering@enfield.gov.uk.

Quality & oversight: Ofsted’s most recent inspection of Enfield’s children’s services (published 4 September 2024) confirmed a good service overall, with strengths noted in children in care services and private fostering arrangements. That’s a reassuring sign that the local fostering service sits within a well-led children’s system.

Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) in and around Enfield

A number of IFAs operate locally and recruit carers living in Enfield. Examples include ISP Fostering (Enfield office) and national providers such as Sunbeam and Apple Fostering. IFAs typically package the child allowance together with a carer fee and often advertise weekly totals that sit above the national minimum, reflecting the skills required and the needs of the child. (For instance, ISP notes packages “up to £688 per week per child” depending on experience and training.) Always ask for the breakdown (allowance vs fee), so you’re comparing like-for-like.

LA vs IFA—how to choose?

• Local Authority (Enfield Council): close ties with local schools and services; strong permanence planning; local placements where possible.
• IFAs: may offer specialist training (therapeutic approaches, parent & child), dedicated supervising social workers, and different fee structures.
  The right fit depends on your circumstances, the types of placements you hope to take, and the support/allowance package that works for your household. Speak to both and compare support, training, respite, out-of-hours help, and pay.

2025/26 fostering allowances in Enfield (London band)

Fostering allowances are updated each April and vary by age of the child and region. Enfield is within London, so the London national minimum allowance (NMA) applies as a baseline. For 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the weekly NMAs are:

Child’s age	London NMA (weekly)
0–2	£198
3–4	£201
5–10	£225
11–15	£257
16–17	£299

Important: These are minimums to cover the child’s day-to-day costs. Enfield Council notes that its allowances “can amount to over £500 per week”, and some IFAs advertise higher total packages (allowance + fee) depending on your training, experience and the complexity of the placement. Always request the line-by-line breakdown and check what’s included (e.g., mileage, birthdays/holidays, equipment).

Why amounts vary in practice

• Allowance (child’s costs): food, clothing, utilities, transport, school costs, activities.
• Fee/skill payment (your role): recognition of your time, skills and training.
• Add-ons: birthday/holiday payments, mileage, specialised equipment, enhanced rates for complex needs. Sector bodies confirm that while England’s NMAs rose by 3.55% for 2025/26, many providers layer additional payments to reflect local needs and market conditions.

What you’ll need to foster in Enfield: requirements & checks

While every application is assessed on its own merits, the core requirements across Enfield (and England) are consistent.

1) A safe, stable home (ideally with a spare bedroom)

Children placed with you generally need their own bedroom. There are specific rules around room sharing (occasionally permitted for siblings depending on assessment) and around home safety (windows, fire safety, stairs, gardens, pets). Council guidance explains that allowances and other payments are intended to cover the child’s day-to-day costs; your circumstances should be stable enough to manage household finances.

2) Time and availability

Being at home and available around school runs, contact arrangements, meetings and appointments is key. Many carers do foster while working, but you’ll need to show how the child’s routine will be prioritised (flexible hours, strong support network). Enfield’s information pack and “becoming a foster carer” pages outline expectations and the early steps to discuss your availability with the team.

3) Openness to checks (DBS, medical, references) and assessment

You’ll go through the Form F assessment, including enhanced DBS checks, a medical with your GP, references, home study visits and preparation training (often Skills to Foster). Your assessor compiles your report for the fostering panel, which makes a recommendation; the agency decision-maker then confirms your approval terms (e.g., ages, number of children, placement types). Enfield’s pathway (enquiry → info session → home visit → assessment → panel) is typical and clearly set out in their recruiting materials and events.

4) Training and ongoing support

Expect core training in safeguarding, safer caring, first aid, recording, behaviour support, and therapeutic approaches—plus specialist modules if you care for teens, sibling groups, UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking children), or parent & child placements. Enfield advertises strong support and access to resources throughout your journey.

The application process in Enfield (step-by-step)

1. Initial enquiry & info session: Call or email Enfield’s fostering team, or register for an upcoming drop-in information session (for example, Edmonton Green Library events are advertised). This is your chance to ask about placement types, support and pay.
2. Home visit & pre-assessment checks: A social worker visits your home to discuss fostering, your household, and what to expect.
3. Training (“Skills to Foster”) & assessment (Form F): You’ll complete prep training while your assessing social worker builds your assessment report, including DBS, medical and references.
4. Panel & approval: You meet the fostering panel which reviews your assessment and recommends approval terms; the agency decision-maker confirms.
5. Matching & first placement: Your supervising social worker supports you through referrals and matching. You’ll keep daily recordings, attend reviews, and access ongoing training and peer support.

Working with IFAs in Enfield: when does it make sense?

Some carers prefer the local authority route, others choose an IFA—and a fair few transfer between providers over time. You might lean toward an IFA if you want:

• Specialist models (e.g., therapeutic fostering with enhanced training and multi-disciplinary support).
• Parent & child or step-down from residential placements with intensive supervision.
• Different fee structures aligned to experience/qualifications.

Examples in and around Enfield include ISP (Enfield office), Sunbeam, and Apple Fostering, all recruiting in North London. Compare their handbooks, supervision frequency, respite, out-of-hours lines, and allowance vs fee structure before deciding.

Tax relief for foster carers (2025/26)

Alongside allowances and fees, HMRC’s Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) can significantly reduce (often eliminate) income tax on fostering income. For 2025/26, the simplified scheme includes a fixed annual amount and weekly amounts per child. Most providers will guide you through this at approval; always cross-check with HMRC’s current helpsheet or a qualified accountant. (Tip: build a simple spreadsheet to track weeks of care per child and keep receipts for mileage/equipment.)

Practical budgeting in Enfield

• Travel & mileage: Budget for school runs, contact (family time), activities, and health appointments. Ask your provider what mileage rate they pay and what counts as claimable. Enfield and many IFAs provide clear guidance on what’s covered.
• Birthdays, holidays & religious festivals: Clarify the extra payments and what documentation is needed.
• Equipment & clothing: New placements—especially babies/teens—may require up-front purchases. Discuss advance payments or exceptional support where appropriate.

Frequently asked questions (Enfield 2025)

Do I need a spare room?
Generally yes—each child needs their own bedroom. Siblings sharing can be considered case-by-case, but expect to demonstrate space and safety.

Can I foster if I rent or if I’m not working?
Yes. Renting is fine with landlord consent and a safe tenancy; not being in paid work can be compatible with fostering, and Enfield notes that allowances cover the child’s costs. Stability and availability are key.

How long does approval take?
Most applications run several months from enquiry to panel, depending on checks, training dates and your availability. Enfield’s team can outline current timelines at their info sessions.

What support will I get after approval?
A supervising social worker, regular supervision, 24/7 out-of-hours support, training, support groups and access to specialist services if you’re caring for children with additional needs.

What if I prefer an IFA?
Speak to a couple of local IFAs (e.g., ISP, Sunbeam, Apple) and compare their support model and pay structure. Ask for the split between allowance and fee, respite arrangements, and examples for different age bands.

Next steps (Enfield)

1. Talk to Enfield Council: Phone 020 8379 2831 or email fostering@enfield.gov.uk to request the fostering information pack or book the next drop-in session.
2. Compare a couple of IFAs: Shortlist providers active in Enfield and request full pay and support breakdowns (with example placements).
3. Prepare your home & documents: Think bedroom layout, safety checks, landlord consent (if renting), references, and GP medical.
4. Consider your placement preferences: Babies, primary age, teens, siblings, UASC, respite, or parent & child—say what you can offer and what support you’ll need to succeed.

Bottom line

• Plenty of choice: Enfield Council recruits actively and performs well under Ofsted; multiple IFAs operate locally with specialist support on offer.
• Rates: For 2025/26, London NMA ranges from £198–£299/week depending on age; actual packages in Enfield often exceed this once fees and add-ons are included.
• Requirements: A safe home (generally a spare room), time/availability, and readiness for checks, training and panel.