Fostering in Wandsworth: Allowances, Agencies and How to Apply

Thinking about fostering in Wandsworth? You’re in a strong area to start. Wandsworth Council has an active recruitment team, London-weighted allowances, and access to the new West London regional hub so your enquiry can be picked up quickly and guided through to approval. Below you’ll find the latest on payments and allowances, who to foster with (council vs agencies), and a step-by-step application guide tailored to Wandsworth.

How fostering works in Wandsworth (quick overview)

Children who need safe, stable homes are looked after by local authorities. As a prospective carer in SW London, you can apply either to Wandsworth Council’s fostering service or to a nearby Independent Fostering Agency (IFA). The process is thorough but structured—initial chat, home visit, training, assessment (often called Form F), panel, and approval. Wandsworth signposts each stage clearly and indicates a typical timeframe from first contact to approval.

If you prefer a single “front door” and shared information events across boroughs, you can also start via Foster with West London, a regional recruitment hub for several West London councils. The hub explains the journey, runs information sessions and routes you to the right council once you’re ready.

Foster carer allowances in Wandsworth (2025/26)

England has a national minimum fostering allowance (NMA) which goes up each April. For 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, minimum weekly rates for London are:

• 0–2 years: £198
• 3–4 years: £201
• 5–10 years: £225
• 11–15 years: £257
• 16–17 years: £299

These are baseline amounts to cover the cost of caring for a child; councils and agencies can top up with additional fees depending on the child’s needs and the carer’s skills/experience.

Most local authorities and many IFAs pay above the minimum. Sector bodies also confirmed the 2025/26 uplift to England’s minimum, underlining that figures are reviewed annually. Always check the current year’s page before you publish, as councils sometimes update their local top-ups mid-year.

What about Wandsworth-specific fees and extras?

While the national minimum is public, local fee structures (the “carer fee” paid on top of the allowance) vary and are usually set out in a council’s fostering scheme. Wandsworth’s published scheme includes useful details on things like retention/retainer payments between placements—e.g., a time-limited payment for four weeks at the lowest fee, then 50% if a new placement hasn’t been identified—showing the council’s approach to continuity of income for approved carers. (Exact figures and rules can change—check the latest PDF before quoting.)

Other typical payments you should ask about when you speak to the team:

• Birthday/religious festival/holiday contributions (often embedded in local policies).
• Mileage and travel for school runs, contact and activities.
• Equipment for babies/toddlers or specialist items for complex needs.
  These items are widely recognised as claimable elements in local schemes across England and are covered by the national minimum framework and local guidance.

Wandsworth Council vs Independent Fostering Agencies (which to choose?)

There’s no single “right” answer; it depends on the match you want and the support you value.

Fostering with Wandsworth Council

• Local placements first: Councils generally offer placements to in-house carers before agencies, which can mean more consistent local matches. Wandsworth states this clearly among its benefits.
• Integrated local support: Your supervising social worker, child’s social worker, CAMHS, education (Virtual School) and contact arrangements are all within the same local system.
• Peer groups and forums: Wandsworth promotes dedicated carer forums, support groups and access to Fosterline.

Fostering with an IFA (near Wandsworth)

• Potentially higher fees for specialist roles (e.g., therapeutic, parent & child, step-down from residential), depending on agency.
• Broader catchment: IFAs work with many councils, which can increase variety of referrals—helpful if you’re flexible on age/needs and travel.
• Examples near Wandsworth: Agencies marketing locally include By the Bridge and Ascent Fostering (check CQC/Ofsted style info and ask for their Statement of Purpose and fee ranges before deciding). We’re not endorsing any one IFA—always compare support, training, and placement types.

Tip: Whichever route you choose, ask for a written breakdown of: weekly allowance + carer fee by age/needs; uplift policies; respite rates; training expectations; and any retainer provisions between placements (Wandsworth publishes its approach publicly—use that as a benchmark).

Who can foster in Wandsworth?

You don’t need to own a home, be married, or have parenting experience to apply. Wandsworth’s criteria highlight that you must be at least 25, have a spare bedroom for the child (babies/toddlers under 2 may share with the main carer), and be able to meet the child’s needs with a stable support network.

Checks and preparation are standard nationwide: DBS, medical, references, home assessment and training (often “Skills to Foster”). National guidance explains that the assessment and panel decision can take several months; local services like Wandsworth present a similar staged pathway.

Step-by-step: how to apply in Wandsworth

1) Make an initial enquiry
Contact the Wandsworth fostering recruitment team. They’ll talk through your situation, explain the role, and note your details for next steps. Email: Freephone: 0808 175 3327. You can also submit an online enquiry or join an information event.

2) Home visit / initial assessment
A worker visits to look at space, talk through your lifestyle and support network, and answer questions about age ranges/types of fostering. This is also where you’ll discuss practicalities (bedroom, work, pets, transport, typical school runs).

3) Preparation training
You’ll attend a preparation course (commonly Skills to Foster) covering trauma, attachment, safer caring, recording, education and contact. It’s a good chance to meet other applicants and ask about real-world scenarios.

4) Formal assessment (Form F)
A trained assessing social worker builds a detailed picture of your experience, strengths, and support network, with background checks and references. You’ll draft a safer caring policy and look at matching considerations (age, siblings, disabilities, UASC, parent & child, etc.). National guidance sets expectations for timescales and the order of steps.

5) Fostering panel and approval
Your assessment goes to an independent panel, which makes a recommendation. The service then issues the decision, confirms your approval terms (e.g., age range, number of children), and provides your supervising social worker contact. Wandsworth notes a smooth, structured pathway and supportive onboarding.

Prefer a hub first?
If you’re browsing options across boroughs, start with Foster with West London. They’ll answer early questions, run events, and route your enquiry to the right council (including Wandsworth) when you’re ready.

What you’ll be paid (and what affects it)

Your weekly payment is usually allowance + any carer fee. The allowance covers day-to-day costs (food, clothing, transport, utilities, trips). The fee reflects your skills/availability and the placement’s complexity. Payments rise with age band, and there can be enhanced rates for specialist fostering (therapeutic, parent & child). National and local guidance confirm the allowance is a baseline; top-ups and extras are decided locally.

Key variables that can change the weekly amount:

• Child’s age and needs (older children/complex needs usually attract higher rates).
• Placement type (e.g., therapeutic, emergency, parent & child).
• Your training and experience (some schemes have “skill levels” linked to fees).
• Mileage and contact (claimable expenses can increase totals).
• Retainers (time-limited payments between placements—Wandsworth publishes its approach).

Support you can expect

Wandsworth highlights: dedicated supervising social worker, comprehensive training, peer groups, social events and access to independent advice like Fosterline. For education, the borough’s Virtual School works with carers and schools on admissions, PEPs and attainment. (Ask the team how Pupil Premium Plus is managed locally.)

If you’re with an IFA, compare like-for-like: out-of-hours cover, in-house therapeutic advice, mentoring/buddy systems, respite arrangements, and specialist training (PACE, de-escalation, neurodiversity). IFAs often provide detailed handbooks—request them before you sign.

FAQs: quick answers for Wandsworth applicants

Do I need to live in Wandsworth to foster with the council?
Generally, councils prioritise carers who can take local placements. If you’re nearby and can manage Wandsworth school runs/contact, ask the team—many services recruit from just beyond the border for the right match.

Is there an upper age limit?
No. Wandsworth says you must be 25+ to start; there’s no upper age limit if you can meet the child’s needs (one current carer is 84).

How long does approval take?
National guidance indicates the process can take a number of months from application to decision. Wandsworth presents a clear sequence from enquiry to panel. Timelines vary by checks, training dates and your availability.

What’s the allowance right now?
For 2025/26 the national minimum for London ranges from £198 (0–2) to £299 (16–17) per week. Local fees and extras may lift your total—ask Wandsworth for the current breakdown.

Where do I start?
Email call 0808 175 3327, submit an online enquiry, or join an information event. If you want a cross-borough picture first, browse Foster with West London for events and guidance.

Next steps (contact & links)

• Wandsworth Fostering – Enquiry & Contact: online form, email and freephone. Join an information event and speak to the team.
• Wandsworth process overview: what happens from first call to approval.
• Why foster with Wandsworth: benefits (local placements first, structured timeline, training).
• Foster with West London: regional recruitment hub with events and a single front door for early enquiries.
• National minimum allowances 2025/26 (England): current weekly rates by age band and region—including London.
• Wandsworth allowance scheme (policy detail including retainers): check for the most up-to-date local terms before quoting.

Final word

Whether you apply through Wandsworth Council or an IFA, focus on fit and support: the children you feel equipped to care for, the training you’ll receive, and the team that will stand beside you. Use the figures above as a starting point, then ask for Wandsworth’s current allowance + fee breakdown and what’s included (travel, equipment, respite, retainers). With the right preparation and support, your home can change a child’s life.