Fostering in Sevenoaks: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about becoming a foster carer in Sevenoaks? You’re in a great place to start. Sevenoaks sits within Kent County Council (KCC), so your local authority route is via Kent Fostering—with a strong network of support, training, and competitive payments. Alongside the council, a number of reputable independent fostering agencies (IFAs) work across West Kent, giving you choice on pay, support style, and placement types. Below is a clear, practical guide to allowances, how the money works, who to apply to, and what to expect from first enquiry to approval.

Allowances in Sevenoaks (2025/26): what you’re paid and why

In England, all approved foster carers receive a weekly maintenance allowance for each child in their care. The UK Government sets a national minimum that varies by the child’s age and region and is uplifted each April. Sevenoaks is in the South East band. For the tax year 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the national minimum weekly allowances are: 0–2: £189, 3–4: £196, 5–10: £216, 11–15: £247, 16–17: £288 (South East rates). These are the minimums—local authorities and agencies can (and often do) pay more.

Local authorities then structure total pay as two parts:

1. Maintenance – to cover the child’s day-to-day costs (food, clothing, activities, travel, etc.).
2. Fee/Reward – a recognition of your time and professional skill. This varies by agency/council, your experience, and placement type. For example, Kent Fostering explains the split and shows that certain specialist placements (like Parent & Child) can reach £1,191.04 per week because of the intensity of the work.

The Government confirmed a 3.55% uplift to England’s national minimum for 2025/26, which is why the figures above are slightly higher than last year. It’s a good baseline when you’re comparing offers.

What about equipment, birthdays, holidays and mileage?

Beyond the weekly rate, you’ll usually be reimbursed for mileage (school runs, contact, activities) and receive additional payments for birthdays, festivals and holidays. Check the latest KCC payments policy or your agency’s handbook for exact figures and how to claim.

Tax relief for foster carers

Most carers benefit from Qualifying Care Relief, which can significantly reduce or eliminate income tax on fostering income. (You’ll still complete Self Assessment.) Ask your agency’s finance team or an accountant familiar with fostering to walk you through it.

Should you foster with Kent County Council or an Independent Fostering Agency?

You can apply either directly to Kent Fostering (your local authority) or to an IFA. The right choice depends on your priorities: support style, training pathway, fees, and the types of children you feel best placed to care for.

Kent Fostering (Local Authority)

• Pros: direct line to local placements; established training and social work support; clear public-sector ethos; strong links with schools/health in Kent.
• How to enquire: KCC invites residents to start with a short online enquiry form or to call 03000 42 00 02 (Mon–Fri, 9–5).

Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) serving Sevenoaks & Kent
IFAs are commissioned by local authorities when they need additional placement options. Some agencies with active Kent coverage include:

• Lighthouse Fostering (Kent & Medway coverage).
• Anchor Foster Care (recruiting across East/West Kent and Medway).
• National Fostering Group (NFA) (large IFA group with teams across Kent).
• UK Fostering (dedicated page for Sevenoaks).

Tip: We don’t endorse any single provider. Always compare support, out-of-hours cover, training (e.g., therapeutic/PACE), respite, mileage rules, and fees—not just the headline weekly number.

Why there’s demand for carers

National data shows ongoing pressure on placements and recruitment, which is why both councils and IFAs are actively seeking more households—especially in the South East. Staying local (Sevenoaks/Tonbridge/Dartford corridor) helps children maintain school, friendships and family contact.

How to apply to foster in Sevenoaks: step-by-step

The assessment is thorough but supportive. Here’s the usual route if you apply to Kent Fostering; IFAs follow a very similar pathway.

1) Enquiry and initial call

Submit the online form or phone the team. You’ll discuss your household, spare bedroom, caring experience, work patterns, and motivations. If there’s a good initial fit, you’ll be invited to an information event or home visit.

2) Home visit / initial visit

A social worker visits to talk through fostering in more detail, look at the practical setup (bedroom, space, pets), and plan the next steps. Don’t worry if your home isn’t perfect—what matters most is safety, warmth, and your ability to meet a child’s needs.

3) Training: Skills to Foster

You’ll attend a pre-approval course covering safeguarding, attachment, therapeutic approaches, safer caring, recording and education. Many applicants say this is where fostering “clicks”—you’ll meet other applicants and ask all your questions.

4) Checks and references

Expect an enhanced DBS, references (including employers/ex-partners where applicable), medical checks, a health & safety review (including pet risk assessments), and a financial overview. These checks are standard across the UK and focus on children’s safety and carer resilience.

5) Form F assessment (your home study)

A qualified assessing social worker visits across several sessions to build your Form F report—a comprehensive picture of your background, family, support network, strengths, and the types of placements you’re best matched to. You’ll co-produce a Safer Caring Policy tailored to your household.

6) Fostering Panel

Your Form F goes to an independent panel that reads the assessment and meets you (usually with your assessing social worker). They make a recommendation to the agency decision maker, who issues the formal decision shortly after.

7) Matching and your first placement

Once approved, your supervising social worker (SSW) discusses referrals with you—looking carefully at age, needs, school distance, contact arrangements, and your family dynamics—so you can say yes safely (and no when it’s not right). Good matching is the key to stability and positive outcomes.

How long does it take?
Most assessments take 4–6 months from enquiry to panel if documents/training progress smoothly. Complex checks or availability can extend this timescale; staying responsive and completing training promptly helps. (Ask your assessor for a realistic plan at the start.)

What kinds of fostering are most needed around Sevenoaks?

• Short-term (care during assessment/court decisions).
• Long-term/permanence (children who will grow up with you).
• Emergency (same-day or out-of-hours).
• Respite (short stays to support other carers/families).
• Parent & Child (intensive, structured; higher pay due to responsibilities).

If you can support teens, siblings, or children with additional needs (SEN, neurodiversity, trauma), you’ll be especially in demand across Kent.

Bedroom, work and lifestyle: common questions

Do I need a spare room?
Yes—children need their own bedroom (with limited, risk-assessed exceptions such as some sibling scenarios). Talk this through early in the assessment.

Can I rent and still foster?
Yes—many carers rent their homes. You’ll need landlord consent and a safe, stable tenancy.

Can I foster and work?
Yes, but the child’s needs come first. School hours, contact, meetings and emergencies can clash with work. Some carers reduce hours or choose flexible roles; others foster full-time.

What about pets?
Pets are welcomed in many fostering households. You’ll complete a pet risk assessment and discuss boundaries (e.g., dog-free sleeping space).

Support you can expect (and should ask for)

• 24/7 out-of-hours advice line.
• Regular supervision visits and phone check-ins.
• Training & CPD (therapeutic parenting, PACE, trauma, safeguarding).
• Peer support groups—ask about local hubs or Mockingbird-style constellations.
• Practical reimbursements: mileage, school uniform, activity fees; extras for birthdays/festivals/holidays.

Good providers will also help with education (Virtual School liaison), health/CAMHS navigation, and contact arrangements. Don’t be afraid to ask exactly what’s included, how many respite nights you’ll have, and how supervision frequency works.

Local routes to get started

• Kent Fostering (KCC) – Start with the online enquiry form or call 03000 42 00 02 (Mon–Fri, 9–5).
• IFAs working across Sevenoaks/Kent – Explore and compare:
  • Lighthouse Fostering (Kent & Medway).
  • Anchor Foster Care (recruiting across Kent).
  • National Fostering Group (NFA) (Kent coverage).
  • UK Fostering – Sevenoaks page (local focus).

When you speak to any provider, use a simple checklist: fees/allowances, training, out-of-hours, respite, mileage, specialist support, and what a typical match looks like in Sevenoaks/West Kent.

The bigger picture—and why Sevenoaks needs you

England continues to face a shortage of foster carers, while the needs of children are becoming more complex. High-quality local fostering keeps children close to their school, friends and family, improving stability and outcomes—and it reduces costly out-of-area placements. Your spare room in Sevenoaks can make a life-changing difference for a child nearby.

Quick recap

• Allowances: For 2025/26 in the South East, the national minimum is £189–£288/week depending on age (many providers pay above this; specialist placements pay more).
• Who to apply to: Kent Fostering (local authority) or a local IFA—compare support as well as pay.
• Process: Enquiry → visit → training → checks → Form F → panel → matching.
• Support: 24/7 advice, training, supervision, reimbursements, and extras (birthdays/holidays/mileage).

Next step: If you live in or near Sevenoaks, start with Kent Fostering’s enquiry form or phone line, and book yourself onto the next information session. Even if you’re early in your research, that first conversation will help you understand timelines, pay, and the types of placements that would suit your home—and your heart.