Fostering
Fostering in Gravesham: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply
Gravesham (home to Gravesend, Northfleet and surrounding villages) sits in the heart of Kent’s Thames Gateway—close to schools, transport and community services that make day-to-day fostering practical. If you’re considering fostering here, this guide walks you through what you’ll be paid, who you can foster with (Kent County Council or independent fostering agencies), and exactly how to apply—plus the essentials on training, education support and tax.
Why Gravesham needs more foster carers in 2025
Like the rest of England, Kent continues to face a shortage of foster carers, especially for teenagers, siblings and children who need therapeutic care. Ofsted’s recent data shows the number of approved fostering households in England has been falling while demand remains high—making new carers more vital than ever.
Kent County Council’s own messaging underlines the ongoing need for carers across the county, with a clear local route to apply (see “How to apply” below).
Foster carer pay and allowances in Gravesham
When you foster in Gravesham, you’ll receive a weekly allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child (food, clothing, pocket money, utilities, transport etc.). In England, the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) is reviewed each April. For tax year 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the Government sets different minimums for London, the South East, and the Rest of England. Gravesham is in the South East band.
National Minimum Allowance (South East), 2025/26
- Age 0–2: £189 per week
- Age 3–4: £196 per week
- Age 5–10: £216 per week
- Age 11–15: £247 per week
- Age 16–17: £288 per week
Note: these are minimum maintenance rates. Many fostering services add skill-based fees or enhancements on top. The UK Government confirmed a 3.55% uplift to England’s minimum allowances for 2025/26.
What Kent County Council (KCC) pays on top
Kent Fostering (the local authority service) pays a maintenance allowance plus a separate reward fee (a professional fee for the carer). Specialist schemes pay more—Parent & Child fostering, for example, can be up to £1,191.04 per week for one arrangement. Exact figures depend on the placement type and your experience/skills.
In addition to your weekly payment, you may receive extras (agreed locally) for birthdays, holidays, mileage and equipment; GOV.UK also outlines help with the cost of fostering and how minimums work nationwide.
Local authority vs independent fostering agencies (IFAs)
You can foster in Gravesham either through Kent County Council (KCC) or with an Ofsted-registered independent fostering agency. The “right” route depends on your preferences—training style, support model, fees/allowances, and the type of placements you want.
Fostering with Kent County Council (Kent Fostering)
- Who they are: The local authority service for the whole of Kent (including Gravesham), with long-standing experience and a large support network.
- Support & training: Assessment, the Skills to Foster course, supervising social worker support, and access to Kent’s specialist services.
- Education support: Links directly with Virtual School Kent (see below).
- How to apply: You can start with a short enquiry form or phone call; KCC aims to complete the assessment in around 6 months, covering checks, home visits, references, training and panel.
Independent fostering agencies that cover Gravesham (examples)
These IFAs recruit and support carers across Kent and the South East and regularly work with Kent’s local authorities:
- By the Bridge – Kent office at Brogdale Farm, Faversham (Ofsted-registered independent fostering service).
- Capstone Foster Care (South East) – Kent office serving the county and South East region.
- UK Fostering – Office in Dartford (on Gravesham’s doorstep) listed with Ofsted’s independent fostering services.
- Hythe House Support – Independent fostering service in Sittingbourne (Kent), Ofsted-listed.
Tip: Compare support packages, out-of-hours help, therapeutic training, and fees/retainers. KCC and IFAs both use the national minimum allowance as a baseline but structures and enhancements differ.
How to apply to foster in Gravesham (step-by-step)
Whether you choose Kent Fostering or an IFA, the process follows a similar pattern.
1) Enquire and home information visit
Start by contacting Kent Fostering or your chosen IFA. You’ll have an initial chat about your home, family, experience, availability and the types of fostering you’re open to. KCC offers an online enquiry route and phone line; they outline the typical 6-month assessment aim.
2) Checks, references and medical
You’ll complete DBS and other safeguarding checks for adults in your household, provide references, and undergo a routine medical with your GP (paid by the service). Your home environment, pets and safer-caring arrangements are reviewed.
3) Training and assessment (Form F)
You’ll attend Skills to Foster and meet a supervising social worker regularly to build your Form F assessment—your life experiences, strengths, support network and what you can offer a child.
4) Fostering panel and approval
Your assessment goes to an independent fostering panel which recommends to the agency decision-maker whether to approve you for fostering. After approval you’ll be matched to suitable placements, with supervision and ongoing training.
If you’re already an approved carer elsewhere, you can transfer to KCC or another IFA—ask about notice periods, portability of your approval, and any retainer during transfer.
Education and wrap-around support (Virtual School Kent)
Fostered children in Gravesham benefit from the county’s education arrangements via Virtual School Kent (VSK)—which helps with admissions, Personal Education Plans (PEPs), and use of Pupil Premium Plus (PP+). For 2025/26, VSK indicates an initial PP+ of £1,200 per child in care, paid in three £400 termly instalments, with more available according to need through the PEP process.
National Pupil Premium guidance sets the broader conditions of grant each year; your child’s school and the VSK team will make sure PP+ spending targets the child’s outcomes (literacy, attendance, SEMH, tuition, resources etc.).
Taxes, benefits and fostering in Gravesham
Most foster carers pay little or no tax on fostering income thanks to HMRC’s Qualifying Care Relief (QCR)—a simplified scheme that sets a tax-free threshold made up of a fixed household amount plus a weekly amount per child (higher for older children). You still need to register as self-employed and file a Self Assessment each year; check HMRC’s 2025 helpsheet for the current rules and examples.
Universal Credit and other benefits: fostering payments are treated differently from earnings, and many carers remain eligible for certain benefits—always get personalised advice before you apply or change work patterns. (HMRC’s QCR page and your fostering service can signpost impartial guidance.)
What types of fostering are needed locally?
Gravesham carers are needed for short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, sibling groups, teens, and therapeutic placements. Kent also recruits for Parent & Child (P&C) and emergency schemes, with higher payments reflecting the complexity.
Frequently asked questions (Gravesham)
Do I need a spare room?
Yes. A foster child normally needs their own bedroom (there are limited exceptions for babies under 2, who may sleep in your room). Expect your assessor to look at room size, safety, and how siblings would be accommodated.
Can I foster if I rent in Gravesend or Northfleet?
Yes—home ownership is not required, but your landlord’s consent and a safe, suitable home are. Many approved carers rent.
Is there an upper age limit?
No legal upper limit. You must be fit enough to meet a child’s needs and pass routine medical checks. Most services ask applicants to be 21+.
Can single people or LGBTQ+ applicants foster?
Yes. Single carers and LGBTQ+ carers are welcomed; the key is your capacity and support network. (KCC’s “Could you foster?” page busts common myths.)
How long does approval take?
Kent indicates an aim of around six months from enquiry to approval (it can be quicker or slower depending on checks and availability for training/panel dates).
Next steps: start your Gravesham fostering journey
- Choose who to apply with.
- Kent Fostering (local authority): strong countywide network, direct access to Virtual School Kent, clear path to approval.
- Independent agencies (examples near Gravesham): By the Bridge (Faversham), Capstone South East (Kent office), UK Fostering (Dartford), Hythe House Support (Sittingbourne)—all Ofsted-registered. Compare support, training and fees before deciding.
- Make an enquiry.
Kent Fostering offers an online enquiry and a phone line, and explains the steps (checks, home visits, training, references and panel). - Get ready for assessment.
Start assembling ID and address documents; think through your support network, work patterns, and the types/ages of children you could best support. - Ask the money questions.
Use the Government’s 2025/26 South East minimums as your baseline, and ask each provider to explain enhancements, mileage, equipment, retainers and specialist fees (e.g., P&C).
Quick checklist for Gravesham applicants
- Bedroom: one spare room (exceptions for under-twos).
- Time: flexibility for school runs, meetings and contact.
- Eligibility: 21+, right to work, able to meet a child’s needs.
- Money: understand South East NMA and any agency top-ups; ask about extras.
- Education: know how Virtual School Kent and PP+ support your child’s learning.
- Tax: register as self-employed and learn Qualifying Care Relief.
Final word
Fostering in Gravesham means becoming part of a strong Kent network with real wrap-around support—from training and supervision to education help through Virtual School Kent. Whether you apply via Kent Fostering or an independent agency, start by having a conversation, asking about support, and comparing fee structures against the South East national minimum. Children and young people locally need safe, stable homes—and you could be the difference for one of them.