Thinking about fostering in Nottingham this year—or already approved and comparing support? Here’s a clear, locally focused guide to allowances, fees, training and support, how to apply, and who’s recruiting across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire in 2025. We also explain the new regional recruitment hub for the East Midlands and what it means for your journey from enquiry to first placement.
The quick picture for 2025
- Where you’ll apply: Most new enquiries in and around Nottingham now flow through Foster for East Midlands, a joint recruitment hub for Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County, Derby City and Derbyshire County. It centralises enquiries and early-stage support so you get a consistent experience, while you still foster for your local council.
- What you’ll be paid: Councils must meet at least the national minimum fostering allowance (to cover the child’s day-to-day costs). Nottingham City’s policy makes that explicit. Local packages can include additional payments and carer fees on top.
- Baseline England rates (2025/26): For the tax year 6 April 2025 – 5 April 2026, the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) per child, per week is £170–£299 depending on the child’s age and region (London/South East/Rest of England). Nottingham falls under Rest of England.
- Local uplift examples: Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed increases and publishes breakdowns of what the basic allowance is meant to cover (food, clothing, utilities, pocket money, etc.).
Allowances vs fees: know the difference before you compare
Allowance = money intended for the child’s living costs (food, clothing, utilities, transport, activities, pocket money).
Fees/skills payments = the professional element recognising your skills, training and the complexity of care. Councils (and independent fostering agencies) layer these differently, but the allowance must meet or exceed the national minimum. Nottingham City’s payments policy sets the principle; the hub’s FAQs explain what the allowance should cover.
Tip: When you ask for figures, always request a written breakdown that separates (1) the child’s allowance from (2) your carer fee and (3) any extras (mileage, equipment, birthday/holiday payments, retainer, respite). That makes it easier to compare like-for-like across providers.
2025/26 minimum rates at a glance (England)
GOV.UK lists the weekly NMA for 6 April 2025 – 5 April 2026. For carers in Nottingham (Rest of England band), the baseline is: £170 (age 0–2), £176 (3–4), £194 (5–10), £220 (11–15), £258 (16–17). Councils and agencies can (and often do) pay more through fees and add-ons.
Local context: Nottinghamshire has public news items and leaflets showing recent increases and an itemised view of what the allowance is meant to cover (e.g., household contribution, pocket money). That transparency is helpful when you’re budgeting.
Who’s recruiting in and around Nottingham?
1) Your local councils via Foster for East Midlands (recommended first stop)
Since March 2024, the four councils created a regional recruitment hub to improve the applicant journey—one front door for initial enquiries, guidance and early training, with placements ultimately made by your home council. For prospective carers in or near Nottingham, this is the most direct “foster for your council” route.
What you can expect from the hub:
- A dedicated recruitment team guiding you from enquiry to application
- Clear information on allowances vs fees, and extras (e.g., birthdays/holidays)
- Early-stage advice on home checks, DBS/medical, and training (“Skills to Foster”)
- Signposting to local support groups, 24/7 out-of-hours support and ongoing CPD once approved
2) Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs)
Several established IFAs operate in Nottingham, working with local authorities when an in-house match isn’t available. Their websites often highlight “up to” weekly package figures (allowance + fees) and extras. Always ask for the breakdown and compare support/training like-for-like with your council offer. Examples include Sunbeam and NFA (National Fostering Agency).
How to apply in 2025 (step-by-step)
Step 1: Enquire and attend an information session
Submit an enquiry to Foster for East Midlands. You’ll be invited to an online or in-person session covering types of fostering, payments, and what the assessment involves.
Step 2: Initial home visit & checks
A social worker will look at space and safety (e.g., bedroom arrangements) and discuss your support network. You’ll complete DBS, medical, references, and a home study. Nottingham City’s policy sets out how payments and eligibility are aligned with national standards.
Step 3: Training – Skills to Foster
You’ll do core preparation training. The hub highlights strong support and training for carers across the region, with additional modules available after approval (e.g., therapeutic approaches, safeguarding).
Step 4: Panel and approval
Your assessor compiles your report (often called Form F) for an independent fostering panel to consider. If approved, your supervising social worker will work with you on matching.
Step 5: Matching and first placement
The councils aim to place children with their own carers first—so when you foster via the hub/council, you’re considered in-house. That tends to mean closer links with local schools, health services and the child’s social work team—and often shorter travel for contacts and meetings.
Types of fostering in demand around Nottingham
- Short-term & emergency care: immediate placements where plans are still being decided.
- Long-term/permanence: when the care plan is to grow up in foster care.
- Sibling groups: keeping brothers and sisters together is a priority when possible.
- Teenagers: consistent demand; strong support from schools and the Virtual School networks.
- Parent & Child (assessment) placements: specialist, with additional training and recording expectations.
Local authorities and the hub emphasise that allowances cover the child’s needs while skills/fees reflect your training and the complexity of the placement.
What support looks like (after you’re approved)
Supervision and visits: Regular meetings with your supervising social worker, plus unannounced visits as part of normal safeguarding.
24/7 help: Access to an out-of-hours line for urgent situations.
Training & CPD: Mandatory core modules plus advanced topics (e.g., therapeutic parenting, trauma-informed approaches). The hub stresses its benefits, support and training package for carers.
Extra payments: Many schemes include birthday, festival/holiday and equipment contributions, and mileage for school runs/contact; check your written schedule. Nottinghamshire’s leaflet is a helpful example of how items are broken down.
Money matters in detail (2025)
National Minimum Allowance (Rest of England)
For Nottingham, the Rest of England NMA applies in 2025/26 (see rates above). These are per child, per week and rise each April.
Local increases and clarity on what’s covered
- Nottinghamshire County Council announced increases and provides a line-by-line overview of what the allowance is supposed to cover (household contribution, pocket money, activities etc.).
- Foster for East Midlands sets out that allowances are for the child and that skills payments recognise your experience/training and the complexity of needs—so two carers with different skills/placements can receive different overall packages.
Early years funding that’s relevant to foster parents
There’s also movement on early years entitlements for young children in foster care—Nottingham City shares updated guidance for social workers and foster parents (e.g., 15 hours for eligible under-threes). Your social worker will advise which entitlements apply to your specific child.
LA vs IFA in Nottingham: how to choose
Foster for your council if you want:
- to be prioritised for local in-house placements first;
- strong links with local schools, health teams and the child’s social work team;
- a not-for-profit model with investment back into local services.
Consider an IFA if you need:
- a different package/structure of fees and support;
- specialist training for particular placement types;
- a different style of supervision network.
Examples operating locally include Sunbeam and NFA—both highlight comprehensive training and support; ask for detailed written breakdowns and compare with the council hub’s offer.
Bottom line: Don’t decide on headline “up to £X per week” figures alone. Check:
- how often those figures apply (which ages/needs),
- what’s allowance vs fee,
- what extras are included, and
- what support is actually on call at 11pm on a weekday.
FAQs carers in Nottingham ask us
Do I need a spare room?
Generally yes: children need their own bedroom (there are limited exceptions, e.g., some sibling arrangements). Your assessor will explain what’s acceptable locally during the home visit.
Can I foster if I rent?
Yes—landlord consent is typically required and your home must meet safety standards. The hub team will talk you through checks and paperwork.
How long does the process take?
A typical path from enquiry to panel is a few months, depending on checks, training dates and your availability. The regional hub’s purpose is to make this stage smoother and more consistent.
What about money while I wait for a match?
Allowances are paid per child, per week while a child is placed. Some schemes include retainers in limited situations; ask for the policy in writing. The hub’s payments pages explain the standard components.
Are there extra payments for birthdays and holidays?
Yes—many local schemes budget for birthdays, festivals/holidays, equipment and mileage. Nottinghamshire’s published leaflet shows one clear example of how these are itemised.
How to get started
- Enquire with Foster for East Midlands to attend an info session and get your pre-assessment questions answered.
- Ask every provider (council or IFA) for a written breakdown: allowance, fees, extras, mileage, respite, retainers. Compare the whole package, not just a headline figure.
- Plan your support network (backup carers, school run flexibility) and get your home ready for a health & safety visit.
- Complete training and assessment—the hub team will steer you through the steps, then onto panel and matching.
Final word
Nottingham is a good place to foster in 2025: you’ve got a joined-up regional hub to guide you, transparent minimum allowance baselines, and a choice between council in-house and experienced IFAs—each with robust training and support. Use the sources above to benchmark allowance vs fees, check the extras you’ll receive, and choose the route that best fits your household, your time and your goals as a carer.
When you’re ready, start with the Foster for East Midlands hub and ask every question you have—payments, training, bedroom requirements, matching, out-of-hours support. That one conversation can save you weeks of guesswork and help you begin fostering with confidence.