Thinking about fostering in the Medway towns (Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Rainham and Strood)? This guide brings together the latest local allowances, who to foster with (Medway Council or an independent fostering agency), what the approval process looks like, and exactly how to start. It’s written for would-be carers who want straight answers, not jargon.
What fostering looks like in Medway right now
Medway Council’s Fostering Service provides safe, regulated foster homes for local children and sets out its priorities and performance each year in its Annual Fostering Report. The 2024–25 report confirms the service’s focus on recruiting, training and supporting local carers so more children can stay close to schools, friends and family networks.
Allowances in Medway for 2025/26 (South East rates)
England’s national minimum fostering allowance is updated every April and varies by the child’s age and region. Medway sits in the South East band. For 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the minimum weekly allowances are:
- Age 0–2: £189
- Age 3–4: £196
- Age 5–10: £216
- Age 11–15: £247
- Age 16–17: £288
These figures are the baseline to cover the child’s day-to-day costs (food, clothing, transport, activities, etc.). Medway—and many agencies—also offer fees, top-ups or extras depending on the type of fostering, the child’s needs and your skills/experience. Medway’s own policy sets out additional elements, including things like respite/paid leave entitlements and a council tax contribution for foster households (currently listed as £600 per household in 2025), as well as an hourly rate for supporting the service where applicable. Check the current policy for the exact entitlements and terms.
Medway’s public guidance also stresses that there is no single set fee—the overall package depends on factors like the number of children placed, their needs and placement type (short-term, long-term, therapeutic, parent & child, etc.).
Tip: When comparing offers, look at the whole package: weekly allowance, any fee/skill payments, mileage/contact reimbursements, training and support, and retainer or holiday/festival payments where relevant.
Who can you foster with in Medway?
You have two main routes:
1) Medway Council Fostering (the local authority)
You apply directly to the council, are trained and supported by the in-house team, and usually care for Medway children. Start via medway.gov.uk/fostering or call the recruitment line (details below).
2) Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) serving Medway
Several IFAs recruit in the Medway/Kent area. A non-exhaustive sample to illustrate coverage:
- People Who Foster – Medway-based IFA (Ofsted-registered), serving the South East.
- Lighthouse Fostering – has a Kent & Medway hub.
- Anchor Foster Care – recruiting across East/West Kent, Swale and the Medway Towns.
- Diagramma Fostering – works with carers across Kent including Medway.
- Homefinding & Fostering – independent agency specialising in Kent and neighbouring counties.
- National Fostering Group (NFA/Heath Farm) – large IFA group with Kent coverage and local office.
Local authority vs IFA? In simple terms, councils place their own children and aim to recruit enough in-house carers; IFAs provide additional capacity and specialist placements. Fees, support models and expectations vary. There’s also a national debate about placement costs and private providers—useful context when you compare routes.
Eligibility and home requirements in Medway
Medway sets clear criteria. In brief, you need to:
- Be 21+ (no upper age limit).
- Have a spare bedroom for the child to make their own.
- Be fit and healthy, and able to drive with access to a car.
- Have the right to live in the UK (citizenship/settled status).
- Not have a birth child under 1 in your household at approval.
Further myths are addressed on the council site (single carers, renters, same-sex couples and older applicants are all welcome).
Spare room is non-negotiable across the sector because children need a private, safe space. Kent’s guidance and most IFAs echo this.
The Medway application process: step-by-step
- Enquire – Register interest online or call the team. You’ll have an initial conversation and, if you meet basic criteria, be offered a home visit.
- Information/home visit – A fostering social worker explains the role, answers questions and checks the basics (home, spare room, support network).
- Stage 1 checks – DBS, references, medicals, and initial training. Medway requires the Skills to Foster course pre-approval.
- Stage 2 (Form F assessment) – In-depth assessment of your experience, parenting approach, home safety and support network, culminating in a detailed report. (You’ll compile a safer-caring plan and evidence portfolio with your assessing social worker.)
- Panel & decision – You meet the independent fostering panel, which makes a recommendation for approval; the Agency Decision Maker then confirms the decision.
- Matching & first placement – After approval, your supervising social worker discusses referrals and matching so you can say “yes” to the right placement for your home.
Training & support: Medway highlights 24-hour support, regular supervising social worker visits (typically every 4–6 weeks or more if needed), support groups and ongoing training—especially around therapeutic/complex needs.
What training will you complete?
Before approval you’ll do Skills to Foster, a structured preparation course used widely across the UK (and specifically required by Medway). It covers the fostering role, safer caring, child development and working with professionals and birth families. After approval you’ll continue CPD aligned to the Training, Support and Development (TSD) Standards.
Taxes and money matters (quick overview)
Foster carers benefit from HMRC’s Qualifying Care Relief (QCR), which gives a generous tax-free threshold plus a weekly amount per child. Many carers pay little or no income tax on fostering income under QCR. Always read the current helpsheet and keep good records for self-assessment.
Picking between Medway Council and an IFA: how to compare
- Allowance + fees: Don’t just compare the minimum allowance; look at skill/fee payments, respite, council tax contributions, training and therapeutic support. Medway’s published policy sets out its extras (e.g., paid leave/respite days, £600 council tax contribution for 2025, and an hourly support rate for certain activities).
- Support model: How often will your supervising social worker visit? What’s the out-of-hours cover like? Are there specialist teams (e.g., adolescent, sibling groups, parent & child)?
- Training depth: Is there a clear CPD pathway (therapeutic parenting, PACE, trauma, SEND)?
- Placement mix: Which ages/needs are in highest demand locally? (Council annual reports often explain priorities and where they want to grow in-house capacity.)
Frequently asked local questions
Do I need to own my home?
No. You can rent—what matters is a suitable spare bedroom and a stable home.
Is there an upper age limit to foster?
No. Medway confirms 21+ is required; there’s no maximum age. Fitness and availability are what count.
Can single people foster?
Yes—single applicants (including single men) are welcome.
How long does approval take?
It varies by checks, training dates and your availability. The council can outline current timescales at enquiry.
Are there extras beyond the weekly allowance?
Yes. Medway publishes policy details annually (e.g., respite/leave, council tax contribution, skill payments). Ask for the current schedule.
Ready to start? (Medway contacts)
- Medway Fostering recruitment line: 0300 131 2797 (register interest or book a call).
- Alternative contact: 01634 335726 and medway.gov.uk/fostering.
If you’re unsure whether the council or an IFA is the best fit, have two initial conversations: one with Medway Council and one with an agency that serves the Medway Towns. Compare support, payments and training like-for-like—and choose the route that gives you the confidence to provide a stable, nurturing home.
One-page checklist (keep this handy)
- Spare bedroom? If yes, you meet one of the key criteria.
- Over 21 and right to live in the UK? Good to go.
- Call Medway to log your interest and book a home visit: 0300 131 2797.
- Complete Skills to Foster and pre-approval checks.
- Attend panel and get matched—your supervising social worker will guide you from the first referral.
Fostering changes lives—including yours. If you’re in Medway and ready to explore it seriously, make the call today and start the conversation.