Fostering in Redbridge: Agencies, Fees and Support

Thinking about fostering in Redbridge? You’re in a strong location to start. As a London borough with high and diverse need, Redbridge offers a clear route into fostering through the council team and a range of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs), plus London-weighted allowances, specialist support, and practical help with training and day-to-day costs. This guide pulls together the essentials—who to foster with, how the money works, and the support you can expect—so you can make an informed decision.

Why Redbridge needs more foster carers

Each year, Redbridge seeks families for children of all ages—babies to teens, sibling groups, and young people with additional needs. The borough’s own service regularly invites new carers to get in touch and runs information sessions to help you explore the role. The dedicated fostering phone line is 020 8708 6068.

The council’s fostering pages confirm you’ll be guided from the first enquiry through assessment, approval and beyond, and they publish an indicative weekly allowance range to help you plan.

Routes to foster in Redbridge: Council vs IFA

You can foster directly with Redbridge Council or with an Independent Fostering Agency that covers the borough. The right path depends on your preferences for training, support model, and placements.

Fostering with Redbridge Council

• Local placements and relationships. Council teams work closely with local schools, health, and support services; that can simplify logistics (school runs, therapy, contact).
• Allowance & extras. Redbridge publishes an indicative allowance range—recent council information puts payments in the region of ~£370 to ~£550 per child per week, calculated by child age and needs. (Always check the latest figure when you enquire; rates can change annually.)
• How to enquire. Call 020 8708 6068 or complete the short form via the council website to book an info session.

Past council updates also highlight additional benefits for local carers (for example, council tax discounts subject to conditions). Treat these as illustrative and confirm current details during your call.

Fostering with an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)

IFAs recruit and support carers across London, including Redbridge. They typically package the child’s allowance with a carer fee and may specialise in therapeutic fostering or complex needs. Examples active in or around Redbridge include ISP Fostering, Shining Stars, and Sunbeam Fostering (not exhaustive; always compare several providers and read Ofsted reports).

To check providers, search Ofsted reports by postcode and filter for fostering agencies operating near IG postcodes. Read the latest inspection outcome (Good/Outstanding) and the narrative on support and safeguarding.

Money matters in 2025/26: allowances, fees, and tax

It helps to separate three layers of income/support you might hear about.

1) National Minimum Allowance (England)

England sets a National Minimum Allowance (NMA) by age band and region each tax year. For 6 April 2025–5 April 2026, the London weekly minima are: £198 (0–2), £201 (3–4), £225 (5–10), £257 (11–15), £299 (16–17). These are the baseline amounts that should cover a child’s day-to-day costs.

Important: Local authorities and IFAs can—and often do—pay above these minima once you include carer fees and any top-ups for complexity.

2) Redbridge council allowances and examples

Redbridge’s own page gives an illustrative range for weekly payments across age/needs (roughly £370–£550 per child per week). That figure is not a flat rate; it varies by age, placement type, and any additional agreed support (mileage, holidays, equipment). Use it to benchmark when you discuss packages with the team.

Some IFAs advertise higher headline packages for certain placements (e.g., therapeutic or specialist), but formats differ (some show “up to” amounts or include respite/specialist rates). Always ask for a written breakdown that separates child allowance from carer fee and clarifies what’s included (contact mileage, birthdays, holiday allowances, retainers).

3) Tax relief for foster carers (Qualifying Care Relief)

For 2025/26, HMRC’s Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) gives you:

• a fixed household amount of £19,360 (noting an indexation order now points to £19,690 for 2025/26), plus
• a weekly amount per child of £415 (under 11) or £495 (11+).

In practice, many carers pay no income tax on fostering because their receipts fall under the “qualifying amount”. Always use the latest HMRC helpsheet and keep records for self-assessment.

What support looks like in Redbridge

Training and development

New carers complete pre-approval training (often the “Skills to Foster” course) and receive ongoing CPD, supervision, and access to specialist training—particularly relevant if you’re interested in therapeutic or parent & child placements. Council teams and many IFAs provide 24/7 support lines for advice and crisis help. Redbridge publishes duty/out-of-hours contacts for approved carers.

Practical help and extras

Typical extras you should ask about include mileage for school and contact runs, equipment (e.g., cots, car seats, stair gates), birthday/holiday allowances, and retainers between placements (varies by scheme). National guidance explains what the NMA is meant to cover; local handbooks explain how to claim.

Education and health

Expect a joined-up approach with Virtual School (education), designated health professionals, and CAMHS links. Redbridge-based placements often benefit from local coordination across schools and services because teams are familiar with borough pathways. (When fostering via an IFA, you still liaise with Redbridge children’s services and the placing authority; the IFA provides your supervision and training.)

Who can foster in Redbridge?

You can foster if you’re over 21, have the right to live in the UK, and can provide a stable, safe home with a spare bedroom for each foster child (exceptions can apply for sibling groups/infants; discuss during assessment). Diversity is welcomed—single carers, couples, homeowners and renters, people working full-time or part-time. The key is your availability, resilience and support network, not your relationship status or background. (Redbridge’s enquiry team will talk through your situation and what placements might fit.)

The application journey (what to expect)

Step 1: Enquiry & information session

Call 020 8708 6068 or submit the form on the council fostering page. You’ll have an initial chat and be invited to an information session—these are friendly opportunities to ask real-world questions about types of fostering, support and pay.

Step 2: Home visit & pre-assessment checks

A social worker will visit to discuss your experience, home setup (including pets and safety), routines and support network. They’ll explain DBS, medicals and references, and what training you’ll complete early on.

Step 3: Assessment (Form F)

Across several months, you’ll work through Form F—your life story, caring capacity, safeguarding understanding, and matching considerations. You’ll complete “Skills to Foster” training, health & safety checks, and safer caring planning.

Step 4: Fostering panel & approval

Your social worker presents your assessment to an independent panel which makes a recommendation to the agency decision maker. After approval, you’re ready to be matched—often quickly in London due to demand.

Agencies to research (shortlist and compare)

Here are examples of providers operating in/around Redbridge to help you build a comparison list. This is not exhaustive—use Ofsted’s search to widen your shortlist and read the latest inspection reports.

• Redbridge Council Fostering – local authority service, local placements, borough networks; start here if you prefer local authority fostering. Phone 020 8708 6068.
• ISP Fostering (Redbridge) – IFA known for therapeutic training and enhanced London packages; check Ofsted report and package breakdown.
• Shining Stars Fostering – IFA advertising strong rates and an Outstanding Ofsted rating; verify current report and pay structure.
• Sunbeam Fostering – large IFA group operating across London; again, read Ofsted report for the specific branch covering your area and request itemised pay.
• Use Ofsted search – filter by fostering agencies around IG1–IG8 to surface more options and view inspection histories.

How to compare:
Ask each provider for (1) allowance vs fee split by age/placement type, (2) mileage/holiday/birthday policies, (3) retainers between placements, (4) training and 24/7 support, and (5) typical placement types you’re likely to be offered (siblings, teens, UASC, parent & child).

Redbridge cost-of-living realities: planning your budget

London is banded separately in the national minimum allowance because costs are higher—from groceries to transport. The London NMA rates (above) reflect that. When you speak to the team (or an IFA), discuss realistic weekly costs for your household and ask to see a sample budget for a child in your preferred age group. The goal is to ensure day-to-day costs are covered by the allowance and that your fee fairly recognises your time and skills.

Tax note: with QCR at its 2025/26 levels (fixed household amount plus weekly amounts), many carers pay no income tax on fostering receipts—especially with one long-term placement. Confirm your position with HMRC’s helpsheet or a qualified adviser, especially if you also have PAYE or self-employed income.

Support after approval: what good looks like

• 24/7 advice line for urgent questions; clear escalation out of hours. Redbridge publishes emergency contacts for approved carers.
• Regular supervision with your supervising social worker, plus peer support groups and carer forums.
• Training pathway beyond “Skills to Foster”: safeguarding, therapeutic parenting (PACE), education advocacy, neurodiversity, and managing allegations confidently.
• Education advocacy via Virtual School and PEP meetings; focus on attendance and attainment.
• Health access: initial health assessments, dental checks, and referrals (CAMHS or alternatives).
• Short breaks/respite and retainer arrangements (ask each provider about their policy).
• Financial extras: birthday/holiday allowances, equipment, and mileage for contact/school (each scheme sets the rules—get them in writing).

FAQs for Redbridge applicants

Do I need a spare bedroom?
Yes, typically each foster child needs their own room for safeguarding and privacy (exceptions can apply for very young siblings; discuss during assessment).

Can I foster if I rent?
Yes—get landlord consent and ensure the tenancy allows fostering home visits; your assessor will advise on the home safety checklist.

Can I work and foster?
Yes—many carers work. Your availability for school runs, contact, and meetings is key; some placements (e.g., teens) can be compatible with part-time work.

What about council tax discounts?
Redbridge has publicised council tax discount routes for carers in certain circumstances; confirm current eligibility with the council when you enquire because criteria and schemes can change.

How quickly will I be matched?
In London, matches can be fast due to demand. Timescales depend on your approval terms (age range, placement types) and safeguarding considerations.

Next steps: how to start today

1. Speak to Redbridge Fostering: Call 020 8708 6068 to book an information session and ask about current priority needs (siblings, teens, UASC, parent & child).
2. Shortlist 2–3 IFAs (if you want to compare models) and pull Ofsted reports for each.
3. Compare pay packages like-for-like: London NMA baseline vs allowance+fee+extras; request it in writing.
4. Plan your budget using NMA + expected fee; factor transport, school uniform, clubs, and holidays.
5. Check tax relief with HMRC’s 2025/26 QCR figures before you apply—many carers find their fostering income is tax-free.

Final word

Fostering in Redbridge is both needed and well-supported. Whether you choose the council route or an IFA, the essentials are the same: robust training, 24/7 advice, and a financial package that covers the cost of caring—anchored to London’s national minimum—with additional fees and top-ups for your skills and the placement’s needs. Start with a conversation, ask for transparent figures, and choose the support model that fits your family.