Fostering in Haringey: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in Haringey? Great choice. North London—and Haringey in particular—has a steady need for foster carers for babies, siblings, teenagers, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Below you’ll find a clear, up-to-date guide to what you’ll be paid, how Haringey’s process works, the support on offer, and how to apply.

What you’re paid in Haringey (2025/26)

Every foster carer in England receives at least the National Minimum Allowance (NMA), which is updated each April and varies by a child’s age and where you live. For the tax year 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the weekly minimums for London are: £198 (0–2), £201 (3–4), £225 (5–10), £257 (11–15), £299 (16–17). These amounts are to cover the child’s day-to-day costs (food, clothing, transport, activities, utilities).

Local authorities and agencies can pay above the minimum. Haringey promotes a package with fees and allowance “up to £477 per week, per child” (the exact amount depends on the child’s needs, your skills/experience, and placement type). You can request their “Benefits and Perks of Fostering for Haringey” booklet for full details.

Extras and add-ons you may see: birthday and holiday payments, mileage for school runs and contact, initial clothing or equipment, and retainers in some circumstances. Haringey’s foster carer guidance also notes other payments and that final amounts vary with children’s needs and your skill level.

Bottom line: in Haringey you’ll receive at least the London NMA, with potential top-ups and additional allowances depending on the placement and your skills.

Types of fostering that are needed locally

Haringey recruits for a range of placement types, including short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent & child (mother and baby), and teenage placements. Their public pages and information pack highlight these options and the support you’ll get for each.

If you’re open to parent & child fostering, Haringey participates in a North London consortium scheme with a specialist allowance. This is a demanding but rewarding role that helps keep families together while parenting assessments are completed.

What support do Haringey foster carers receive?

Beyond payments, Haringey advertises regular support groups, training, and practical perks such as parking permits for carers. They also provide access to ongoing professional development (e.g., therapeutic approaches, managing contact, education advocacy).

For young people turning 18, Haringey operates Staying Put arrangements, which allow a care-experienced young person to remain in their former foster home after 18 when it’s right for them; the procedure sets out roles, funding, and decision-making.

Who can apply to foster in Haringey?

Haringey welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, whether single, in a couple, renting or owning. You’ll need:

• A spare bedroom suitable for a child/young person.
• Sufficient time and flexibility for school runs, meetings and contact.
• Willingness to work as part of a professional team and complete training.

Everyone aged 18+ in your household will have enhanced DBS and other safeguarding checks, plus medicals and references during the assessment. (These are standard across England for fostering approvals.) For the local safeguarding definition of private fostering (which is different from mainstream fostering and must be notified), see Haringey’s SCP guidance.

How to apply: Haringey’s step-by-step process

Haringey sets out a clear route from first enquiry to approval:

1. Initial enquiry – Contact the fostering team to discuss your circumstances and the types of fostering you’re considering.
2. Home visit – A social worker visits to talk through your motivations, experience with children, home environment, and answer your questions.
3. “Skills to Foster” training – A compulsory three-day course that explores why children come into care, trauma-informed care, and the carer role.
4. Assessment (Form F) – An in-depth home study covering your background, relationships, health, support network, and readiness.
5. Fostering panel – An independent panel reviews your assessment and makes a recommendation to the decision-maker. If approved, you join the pool ready for matching.

How long does it take? Many applicants complete from enquiry to panel in 4–6 months, depending on checks, availability for training, and documentation. (Haringey’s page doesn’t state a fixed timeline; this range reflects typical practice in England.)

Fast-track tips: gather ID and references early, complete e-learning promptly, and start outlining a Safer Caring plan as you go.

Local authority vs. independent fostering agency (IFA): what’s best in Haringey?

You can foster with Haringey Council directly or apply to an independent fostering agency that places across North London. With the council, you’re closer to the local decision-makers, schools, and services; with an IFA, you may find different training models or fee structures. Either way, NMA still applies as a baseline, and overall packages vary by placement type and your skills. (National minimums and annual uplift for England are confirmed by DfE/Government and sector bodies.)

Tip for experienced carers considering a transfer: Haringey provides a dedicated route for existing foster carers looking to change, with contact details for confidential conversations.

Education, health and contact: what to expect day-to-day

• School & progress: You’ll work alongside the child’s school and the Virtual School (every council has one) to secure the right support, use Pupil Premium Plus effectively, and attend PEP meetings—vital for progress and stability.
• Health & wellbeing: Registering with a GP and dentist, arranging initial and review health assessments, and seeking extra support (e.g., CAMHS or local alternatives) when needed.
• Family time (contact): Most children in care have some form of contact with birth family. Carers are key in supporting safe, well-planned contact and keeping balanced records that can be shared with the team or court when required.

(For Haringey’s practice around Staying Put and payments policy context see the council’s procedures and carers’ money guidance.)

How to choose the right agency (a quick checklist)

1. Payments & extras: Compare base allowance, skill fees, holiday/birthday payments, mileage and any retainers. Use the London NMA as your baseline and ask how packages step up for complex placements.
2. Training & support: Look for therapeutic training (PACE/trauma), out-of-hours support, and carer support groups. Haringey highlights robust training and practical perks for local carers.
3. Placement types you want to do: If you’re keen on teenagers, siblings, or parent & child, confirm there’s local demand and the right wraparound services. Haringey’s consortium scheme for parent & child is a plus if that interests you.
4. Stability & outcomes: Ask about breakdown rates, education outcomes, and how matching decisions are made.

Where to start today (contact details)

• Haringey Council Fostering Team – Enquiries: 020 8489 3754 or fosteringrecruitment@haringey.gov.uk. You can also apply via their online enquiry form.
• Benefits & Perks booklet: email the team to request a paper copy spelling out current fee/allowance examples and perks.

If you’re already an approved carer considering a transfer, Haringey welcomes confidential conversations about moving across.

FAQs about fostering in Haringey

How much do Haringey foster carers get paid?
At minimum you’ll receive the London National Minimum Allowance for the child’s age (e.g., £225/week for ages 5–10 in 2025/26). Haringey advertises packages up to £477/week/child depending on needs and your skills.

Do I need a spare room?
Yes, a dedicated bedroom for the child/young person is expected in almost all circumstances (sibling exceptions are assessed case-by-case as part of safer caring).

Can I foster if I rent?
Yes—what matters is permission from your landlord, a suitable tenancy, and that your home meets safety requirements.

How long does approval take?
Most applicants complete in roughly 4–6 months, depending on checks, training availability and documentation. Your assessing social worker will give you a personalised timeline.

What happens at 18?
If it’s right for the young person and you, Staying Put allows them to remain with you after 18, with arrangements and support set out in the council’s procedure.

Is private fostering the same as mainstream fostering?
No. Private fostering is when a child under 16 (18 if disabled) lives with someone who is not a close relative for 28+ days, and must be notified to the local authority. Mainstream fostering follows the standard assessment/panel approval route.

Ready to take the first step?

If you live in or near Haringey and can offer time, space and empathy, the fostering team would love to hear from you. Start with an enquiry call or email to discuss your situation, book your Skills to Foster training, and begin the journey to approval. With London-weighted allowances, local training and strong support, Haringey is a great place to foster.