Fostering in Kent: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in Kent? This guide brings together the latest allowance rates, a plain-English overview of who you can foster with (Kent County Council or independent fostering agencies), and a step-by-step application path so you know exactly what happens from enquiry to approval.

What you’ll be paid in 2025/26

In England, every foster placement must meet at least the National Minimum Allowance (NMA), which varies by the child’s age and by region. Kent sits in the South East band. For 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the weekly NMA is: £189 (age 0–2), £196 (3–4), £216 (5–10), £247 (11–15), and £288 (16–17). These figures cover a child’s day-to-day costs (food, clothing, transport, utilities, activities). Agencies can, and often do, pay more than the minimum.

Kent County Council (KCC) publishes its own payment scheme and pays above the Department for Education guidance. The 2025 policy confirms a standard maintenance allowance (to cover the child’s costs) plus a reward/fee for the carer’s skills and responsibilities. Current KCC pages also show how some specialist schemes (for example, parent and child) attract higher total packages. Always ask for a written breakdown of allowance vs reward/fees for the placement type you’re considering.

As a helpful benchmark, a KCC information page notes “generous and competitive” payments and gives examples of higher combined packages for specialist arrangements; the exact figure you receive will depend on the child’s needs and your skill level.

Don’t forget mileage, birthdays and holidays

On top of weekly rates, councils typically reimburse mileage for school runs, contact and activities, and provide birthday/festival/holiday contributions. Check the Kent payments policy/handbook for the year you’re applying in so you can plan a realistic budget.

Who can you foster with in Kent?

You have two main routes:

1) Kent County Council (Kent Fostering)

This is the local authority service for children in Kent. KCC runs regular information events and actively recruits carers across the county. The council highlights an urgent need for new carers each year (especially around Foster Care Fortnight), and publishes a clear contact route if you want to get started.

Contact Kent Fostering:

• Phone 03000 420 002 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
• Online enquiry form on the Kent Fostering website
  Both routes are listed on the official “How to apply” and “Contact us” pages.

2) Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs)

IFAs operate alongside the council and are inspected by Ofsted. Examples serving Kent include Next Step Fostering (part of National Fostering Group), ISP (an established therapeutic agency) and The Hazel Project (Kent/Medway/Essex). This isn’t a full list—there are many others—but it shows the range locally. Compare support, training, fee structure and Ofsted reports before deciding.

Local tip: whichever route you choose, ask for a written breakdown showing the child’s allowance, any carer fee/skill payment, and extras (mileage, equipment, birthday/holiday contributions), because headlines sometimes blend those figures together.

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

Kent follows the standard England process and publishes a clear timeline. From first enquiry to approval usually takes up to six months, allowing time for checks, training and assessments.

1. Initial enquiry
   Submit a short online form or call the team (03000 420 002). You’ll have a brief conversation about your household, spare room and motivation, and you can ask questions about types of fostering (short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent & child, etc.).
2. Information & initial home visit
   A worker may visit your home to discuss your circumstances, the support available and next steps. You’ll also get a realistic picture of what fostering involves in Kent’s context.
3. Stage 1 checks
   The service carries out DBS, references, medicals and other safeguarding checks. You’ll begin introductory reading and e-learning. (Nationally, applicants complete the Skills to Foster preparation course; Kent provides local training and development routes.)
4. Stage 2 (Form F assessment)
   A social worker completes a detailed assessment covering your background, support network, caring experience, safer caring plan and the age/needs you’re best matched to. This culminates in your fostering panel, which makes a recommendation to the agency decision maker.
5. Approval & first placement
   Once approved, you’ll be linked with a supervising social worker, a training plan and local support groups. Matching focuses on the child’s needs, your skills and location (school routes, family time/contact, health services).

Training and support in Kent

Kent provides ongoing training (both mandatory and elective), reflective supervision and access to development pathways after approval. Preparation typically includes Skills to Foster (national curriculum) and then a programme of local in-person/online courses. Some Kent-based providers also offer specialist therapeutic training if you foster via an IFA with a therapeutic model.

The council’s Sufficiency Strategy explains how Kent organises mainstream and kinship fostering teams and the county’s priorities for placement stability—useful background if you want to understand the wider system you’ll be part of.

How allowances and fees actually work (and why figures differ online)

It’s easy to get confused by numbers, because websites sometimes quote combined totals (allowance + carer fee) without labelling them, or use figures for specialist schemes rather than standard placements. Here’s a quick decoder:

• Allowance = for the child’s weekly costs (must be at least the NMA in England).
• Carer fee/skill payment = the part that recognises your time and expertise; varies by agency, your training/experience and placement type.
• Extras = mileage, equipment, birthdays/festivals/holidays, and sometimes retainers.

Kent’s payment policy states the council pays above the DfE guidance. Meanwhile, the GOV.UK NMA sets the minimum every provider in England must meet for the child’s maintenance—South East rates apply in Kent. Put the two together and you’ll understand why local packages often exceed the NMA headline table you see on Gov.uk.

Quick FAQs (Kent-specific)

Do I need a spare room?
Yes—children in foster care are expected to have their own bedroom, with rare exceptions for assessed sibling groups. This is checked during your home assessment. (Discuss any space constraints at your initial call.)

How long does approval take?
Kent aims to complete within six months, though complex checks can add time. Starting your DBS promptly and attending training helps keep things on track.

Is there help for travel and extras?
Yes—check the current payments policy/handbook for mileage, birthday/festival and holiday contributions so you can budget accurately.

Can I speak to someone first?
Absolutely. Call 03000 420 002 or use the online enquiry form on Kent Fostering. They also run regular information events.

Next steps

If you’re ready to explore fostering in Kent:

• Contact Kent Fostering on 03000 420 002 or complete the online enquiry form to start your application and book an information session.
• If you’re comparing routes, check Ofsted reports for any independent fostering agency you’re considering and request a written breakdown of allowance, fees and extras for the placement types you’re open to.

Fostering transforms lives—and Kent needs carers from all backgrounds, across every town and village. With clear allowances, structured support and a straightforward application process, you can move from “curious” to “approved” in a matter of months and start making a difference close to home.