Fostering in Enfield: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in Enfield? You’re in a good place to start. Enfield needs foster carers for babies, school-age children and teenagers, as well as carers for sibling groups, children with additional needs, and parent-and-child arrangements. This guide brings together the essentials: how much foster carers are typically paid in and around Enfield, who you can foster with (local authority vs. independent fostering agencies), and exactly how to start your application—with trusted sources you can check.

How fostering works in Enfield

Enfield Council’s fostering service recruits, trains and supports local foster carers, offering preparation training, supervision and practical help from enquiry through to approval and beyond. The council’s fostering site sets out the pathway and support on offer, and runs information sessions where you can ask questions directly to the team. Contact details (phone and email) are public and regularly promoted for prospective carers.

Alongside the council, there are several independent fostering agencies (IFAs) operating in and around Enfield. IFAs recruit their own carers and work with local authorities across London to place children when a suitable council household isn’t available. When you choose where to apply, think about support style, training, placement types, fees and allowances, and the agency’s Ofsted record. You can check Ofsted reports for both local authorities and IFAs online.

Fostering allowances in Enfield (what to expect)

The national minimum (England)

In England, the Department for Education (DfE) sets a national minimum fostering allowance that local authorities must pay at least, with the exact amount varying by the child’s age. For 2025/26, sector guidance notes a government uplift to minimums; local councils then set their detailed rates and any top-ups. One published local-authority schedule (illustrative of the DfE minimums for 2025/26) shows weekly rates in this ballpark: £172–£259 per week from ages 0–1 up to 16+, with councils free to pay more. Always check your placing authority’s current table.

Enfield Council indicative figures and support

Enfield’s own fostering pages state that allowances can amount to over £500 per week, depending on the child’s needs, your skills and any agreed fees. Enfield also describes what the allowance covers (food, utilities, clothing, transport, birthdays/holidays/equipment), plus other reimbursable items. Detailed breakdowns are discussed during assessment and set out in handbooks/policy documents.

Independent fostering agency (IFA) examples

IFAs typically pay a combined allowance + fee that’s higher than the statutory minimum because they expect placements that can be more complex and require higher support levels. Public figures from agencies working across North London show typical ranges around £450–£860 per week per child, with variations for age, needs, and placement type (for example, parent-and-child or additional needs). Use these as orientation; exact offers depend on your circumstances and the agency’s banding.

Tax relief for foster carers (Qualifying Care Relief)

Most foster carers pay little or no income tax on fostering income thanks to Qualifying Care Relief (QCR)—HMRC’s simplified scheme for carers. It gives each fostering household a fixed annual tax-free amount plus a weekly per-child allowance (higher for older children). HMRC updates QCR annually; check the current rates and examples before you file your Self Assessment. The Fostering Network and independent advice sites also explain how QCR works in plain English.

Bottom line: between council/agency payments and QCR, many carers find the finances viable—especially in London where top-ups and skills fees can be higher. Just remember: exact figures depend on age/needs, placement type, and who you foster with.

Local authority vs. IFA: which route suits you?

Fostering with Enfield Council can be ideal if you want to support children from your immediate community and work closely with the borough’s social workers, Virtual School and local training programme. The council highlights structured support from enquiry to panel, plus regular supervision and development. Ofsted assessed Enfield’s children’s services as providing “good” levels of support in 2024.

Fostering with an IFA may suit applicants who want additional therapeutic training, 24/7 wraparound support, and access to a wider pool of placements across London (including specialist schemes such as parent-and-child or enhanced needs). IFAs publish their typical allowances and you can read their Ofsted inspection reports before deciding. As an example, you can browse Enfield-based or nearby providers’ inspection histories on Ofsted’s site.

Tip for choosing: speak to both routes. Ask about training hours, out-of-hours support, respite, payment when unplaced (retainers), equipment budgets, mileage/contact reimbursement, and support for allegations. Then decide which culture and support model fits your household best.

Who Enfield needs most right now

Across London, the most in-demand carers are typically:

• Carers for teens (11–17), including those needing extra educational or emotional support.
• Carers who can keep siblings together (rooms and space matter).
• Carers open to emergency/short-term placements while plans are made.
• Parent-and-child carers (supporting a baby/young child and their parent during assessments).

Local services emphasise that you don’t need to be married, own your home, or stop working to foster; you do need stable finances and a spare bedroom for each foster child (with limited exceptions for sibling groups).

How to apply to foster in Enfield (step-by-step)

1) Make an enquiry
Contact the Enfield fostering team by phone or email or submit the online form. They also run drop-in/virtual information sessions—useful for getting a feel for the support and training.

2) Initial conversation (Stage 1 triage)
You’ll discuss your family set-up, motivation to foster, work patterns and home (spare room, pets, safety). If suitable, you’ll be invited to start Stage 1 checks.

3) Stage 1 checks
This includes DBS, references, medical, home safety, finances and an outline safer caring discussion. You may start basic training (often Skills to Foster) at this stage. (Enfield’s procedures mirror national regulations.)

4) Stage 2 – Assessment (Form F)
A social worker completes a Form F assessment with home visits to explore your experience, support networks and matching preferences (ages, needs, placement types). You’ll gather portfolio evidence (policies, references, training).

5) Panel and decision
Your assessment goes to a fostering panel which makes a recommendation; the agency decision maker then confirms approval. You’ll be approved for certain placement types/ages.

6) Matching and first placement
Once approved, you’ll begin receiving placement referrals. Ask clear questions about history, education, health, contact plans, transport, and support—say yes only when the match is right for your household.

Documents and training to expect

• Handbooks and policies set out allowances, expenses, training expectations and what’s covered by the maintenance allowance versus any carer fee.
• Ongoing training/CPD covers safeguarding, therapeutic parenting (PACE), recording, education and health.
• Supervision & support include regular social-worker visits, support groups and out-of-hours. Enfield’s Statement of Purpose details its aims around recruitment and carer support across a diverse borough.

Frequently asked finance questions

What does the allowance cover?
Food, utilities, clothing, transport to school/contact, pocket money, birthdays, holidays and essential equipment. Additional items can be reimbursed if agreed in advance—keep receipts and talk to your supervising social worker.

How do taxes work?
Register as self-employed and file Self Assessment annually. Most carers use Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) which combines a fixed household allowance with a weekly per-child amount; together they shelter a large portion—often all—of fostering income from tax. Always check the current HMRC helpsheet (HS236) for the latest figures and examples.

Are IFA payments always higher?
Often, but not always. IFAs publish guide ranges and sometimes pay skills fees or enhanced rates for complex placements. Compare net take-home after expenses, the support you’ll get, and any retainer arrangements if you’re unplaced.

Agencies and contacts in/around Enfield

• Enfield Council Fostering – enquiry line and email, plus information sessions for prospective carers.
• Independent fostering agencies – several operate locally; check allowance bands, support offer and Ofsted grades. You can look up any provider’s inspection history on Ofsted’s site before applying.

(We don’t list or rate individual IFAs here; instead, we encourage you to cross-check published allowances and Ofsted reports and speak to more than one provider so you can compare support culture, training and placement availability.)

Quick checklist: is your household ready?

• A spare bedroom suitable for a child/young person (exceptions are rare and mainly for siblings).
• Time and flexibility for school runs, contact, appointments and meetings.
• A support network—family/friends who can help with practicalities.
• Willingness to engage in training and reflective supervision.
• Stable finances and the ability to manage money between payments.

How to get started today

1. Register your interest with Enfield Council (phone/email or online form), or speak to two or three nearby IFAs for comparison.
2. Attend an information session—bring questions about support, training, respite and finance.
3. Prepare your home and documents (ID, references, DBS, GP/medical, pet info, safer-caring ideas).
4. Plan your availability (work shifts, school holidays, contact runs) so you can answer matching calls quickly and confidently.

Fostering is a team effort. Whichever route you choose—Enfield Council or a local independent agency—you’ll be joining a network focused on children’s safety, stability and progress. If you live in or near Enfield and have a spare room, now is a great time to take the next step.

Sources to check and keep handy

• Enfield Council fostering pages (process, support, info sessions, finances).
• Enfield fostering policies and Statement of Purpose (overview of aims/support).
• HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (HS236, 2025).
• Sector overview of 2025/26 allowance uplift and how minimums work.
• Example 2025/26 minimum allowance table (illustrative of national minima by age).
• Ofsted portals for Enfield/local providers (to review inspection histories).