Fostering in Surrey (County-wide): Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in Surrey? You’re in a strong spot. Surrey County Council runs an established fostering service with clear training, practical support and a pathway from first enquiry to approval. On top of that, a number of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) operate locally for people who want a different support model or placement mix. Below you’ll find the latest on allowances in the South East for 2025/26, how the application and assessment process works in Surrey, and who to contact—plus practical tips on choosing between the council and IFAs.

Local allowances and fees in Surrey (2025/26)

In England, every fostering service must pay at least the UK government’s national minimum fostering allowance, which is updated every April. For the 2025/26 tax year (6 April 2025–5 April 2026) the weekly minimums are region- and age-based. Because Surrey sits in the South East band, 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 day-to-day costs of care (food, clothing, utilities, routine travel, etc.). They were uplifted again for 2025/26 following national adjustments to help with cost pressures.

What Surrey County Council actually pays

Local authorities often pay more than the minimum via a mix of allowance plus skill-level or fee payments that recognise training and experience. Surrey’s public guidance explains that most carers start on “payment level 2” after pre-approval training, with higher levels available as you build evidence of learning and undertake further training. That means the package typically rises over time.

You can also expect reimbursable extras like mileage for school runs and contact, holiday/birthday/festive contributions, and items needed at the start of a placement (e.g., bedroom equipment for a younger child). Exact amounts and processes are set out during onboarding by your supervising social worker. (If you’re comparing services, ask each provider for a written breakdown of: weekly allowance, fee/skill element, retainer rules, respite rates, and what’s included or claimed separately.)

How IFA payments compare

IFAs generally set their own combined allowance + fee packages. Some public-facing pages reference tax reliefs and headline rates but figures vary by age, placement type and complexity; always request the written schedule and escalation policy. Examples of IFAs active in and around Surrey include Foster Care Associates, Sunbeam Fostering, and Diagrama Fostering—all serving towns like Guildford, Woking, Reigate, Dorking and Leatherhead.

A note on the wider picture: there’s strong national demand for new carers, with official data showing approvals down and leavers up in recent years. That context is one reason you’ll see enhanced support and recruitment drives locally.

How to start your fostering application in Surrey

You can foster as a single person or couple; you’ll need a spare bedroom, time and stability to meet a child’s needs, and a support network. Surrey County Council outlines the steps clearly and provides training and guidance from enquiry onwards.

Step 1: Make an enquiry and attend an information session

Reach out to Surrey County Council’s fostering recruitment team to discuss your situation, ask about age ranges, placement types (short-term, long-term, respite, emergency, parent & child), and current local needs. The team can also explain allowances at each skill level, what’s reimbursed, and typical travel for school and family time.

Step 2: Initial visit and screening

A social worker will visit your home (or meet online initially) to talk through space, routines, pets, work patterns, and your support network. They’ll also explore your motivations, resilience and experiences with children. Surrey’s materials confirm who can foster and how the council supports you to prepare.

Step 3: Pre-approval training – “Skills to Foster”

Before formal assessment, you’ll complete pre-approval training to learn about attachment and trauma, safe caring, education and contact. Completing this is also what places you at payment level 2 with Surrey (with potential to progress post-approval).

Step 4: The Form F assessment (home study)

Your assessing social worker gathers references, DBS checks, medicals and a full household profile, and works with you on a Safer Caring Policy. They’ll talk through matching preferences and the types of support you’ll need early on (e.g., school transport or contact supervision). This culminates in a report to the fostering panel. (National guidance sets the overall process; Surrey provides the local roadmap.)

Step 5: Panel and approval

You’ll meet the independent fostering panel, discuss your strengths and learning, and answer questions about caring for different age groups. The Agency Decision Maker confirms the outcome after panel. From there, your supervising social worker helps you get ready for your first match.

Step 6: Matching and first placement

Matching in Surrey considers your family life, skills and preferences alongside a child’s needs, school location and contact plans. Ask for written referral information, expected routines, contact frequency, mileage assumptions, equipment needs and how out-of-hours support works. (With the current shortfall of carers nationally, services work hard to make good matches and sustain placements.)

Top council and IFA contacts serving Surrey

Surrey County Council (Fostering Service)

• Learn about allowances, support, who can foster and how to apply on the council site.
• Read about allowance levels/skill payments and training progression.
• Contact (recruitment): Phone 0300 470 9100 or email fostering.recruitment@surreycc.gov.uk (as listed on the “Foster With Your Council” Surrey page).

Independent Fostering Agencies with Surrey coverage (examples):

• Foster Care Associates (FCA) – Surrey: regional office pages and enquiry forms; asks you to request current allowance schedules.
• Sunbeam Fostering – Surrey: eligibility guidance (spare bedroom, age, etc.) and local team contact.
• Diagrama Fostering – Surrey & surrounds: covers Guildford, Dorking, Leatherhead, Reigate, Woking; emphasis on support and training culture.

Tip for comparisons: ask every provider for a written breakdown of (1) weekly allowance by age band, (2) any fee/skill level supplement, (3) retainer rules between placements, (4) mileage reimbursement rate and what journeys count, (5) holiday/birthday/festive amounts, and (6) respite rates.

Should you choose Surrey County Council or an IFA?

There’s no single “right” answer; consider the factors below and speak to both.

Why foster with Surrey County Council:

• You’ll be part of the local placement pathway, often giving access to more nearby schools and services.
• Clear training progression mapped to payment levels, with most carers starting on level 2 after pre-approval training.
• Strong links to Virtual School for education and to council health teams for Initial/Review Health Assessments.

Why some choose an IFA:

• Different support model (e.g., 24/7 on-call, therapy-linked/trauma-informed packages).
• Occasional specialist schemes (parent & child, therapeutic, step-down from residential) and, in some cases, higher combined payments for complex placements.
• A dedicated supervising social worker with a smaller caseload in some agencies.

Regardless of route, you should expect: a supervising social worker, regular supervision meetings, access to training/CPD, support groups, and emergency cover. Always confirm out-of-hours arrangements, respite availability and how allegations or concerns are managed (ask for the policy).

The types of fostering in Surrey—and what’s most in demand

• Short-term (care during assessment or court proceedings), long-term (permanence), emergency, respite, parent & child, and therapeutic placements all feature in Surrey’s mix. Surrey’s recruitment pages explain who can foster and how each route is supported.
• Nationally, services report ongoing need for carers for siblings, teens, and children with additional needs. Ofsted and sector bodies continue to flag the shortage and the push for recruitment.

If you have flexibility on age range or can take siblings, say so early; it can significantly reduce waiting time for a first placement.

Money matters: tax reliefs and practical claims

Foster carers in the UK benefit from Qualifying Care Relief (QCR), which combines a fixed tax-free amount with a per-child weekly relief. Many carers pay little or no tax on fostering income, though you still need to register for Self Assessment if fostering is your main income. Clarify this with HMRC guidance or a tax adviser before your first return. (Some IFAs and councils offer QCR briefings during pre-approval.) The allowance rates above are not taxable salary—they’re to cover the costs of care—and may be supplemented by fee/skill payments depending on your provider.

For expenses, keep mileage logs (school, contact, activities), receipts for agreed items, and note holiday/birthday/festive contributions. Ask for the claim process and timescales at induction.

What training and support look like

Surrey and local IFAs provide pre-approval training (“Skills to Foster”), plus post-approval CPD on subjects like attachment, PACE, safeguarding, safer internet use, and education advocacy. Surrey’s pathway also links training to payment-level progression, which can increase your overall package as you build experience.

You should also get:

• A Safer Caring Policy tailored to your household.
• Access to support groups and peer networks (valuable during your first year).
• Guidance on recording (daily logs, incident forms, contact notes) that meet court and data-protection standards—ask your supervising social worker for the council or IFA recording handbook.

How to apply in Surrey: quick checklist

1. Contact Surrey County Council to book an info session or home visit; request the allowances & payments guide.
2. Talk to 1–2 IFAs that cover your town (e.g., FCA, Sunbeam, Diagrama) and ask for their current payment schedule and support model.
3. Compare: weekly pay structure, extras (mileage, holidays, equipment), out-of-hours arrangements, respite, local school links, average placement distance.
4. Complete pre-approval training and start your Form F assessment (DBS, references, medical, home study).
5. Panel & approval, then work with your supervising social worker on matching and first-placement preparations.

FAQs (Surrey-specific quick answers)

Do I need to live in Surrey?
Yes, for the Surrey County Council service you’ll need to be a Surrey resident (border-area residents can speak to both Surrey and neighbouring councils/IFAs).

Is there an upper age limit?
No fixed upper limit—fitness to foster is considered during medical checks; many excellent carers start in their 50s and 60s.

Can I foster if I rent?
Yes, but you’ll need your landlord’s consent and a spare bedroom suitable for a child/young person.

How long does approval take?
Allow around 4–6 months from formal application to panel, depending on checks and availability. Surrey’s “How to foster” pages outline the local steps and training.

Ready to take the next step?

• Surrey County Council Fostering: overview, who can foster, how to apply → see the council’s fostering hub; contact the recruitment team on 0300 470 9100 or fostering.recruitment@surreycc.gov.uk.
• Compare with an IFA: Request up-to-date allowance/fee schedules and support details from FCA, Sunbeam, and Diagrama to see what best fits your family.

Whether you choose the council or an IFA, Surrey needs more carers—especially for siblings, teens and children with additional needs. Your skills and spare room could change a child’s life close to home.