Local Authority vs IFA: Which Fostering Route Is Best?

Choosing between your Local Authority (LA) and an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) is one of the first—and biggest—decisions you’ll make on your fostering journey. Both routes approve foster carers, train and support you, and place children who need safe, nurturing homes. But they operate differently, offer distinct support packages, and can suit different lifestyles and skill sets. This guide breaks down the practical differences so you can decide which route fits your family, your finances, and the type of care you want to provide.

How the two routes are structured

What a Local Authority does

Local Authorities are responsible for children in their care. They run their own fostering services, from recruitment and approval (Form F) to placement matching and ongoing supervision. Because children in care are the LA’s statutory responsibility, LA teams typically try to place with their own carers first before approaching external providers.

What an Independent Fostering Agency does

IFAs are registered organisations (charitable or private) that recruit and support foster carers and accept referrals from LAs when local in-house options aren’t available or suitable. IFAs vary in size and specialism—some focus on therapeutic fostering, Parent & Child (P&C) placements, UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking children), or complex needs. Their model is to provide intensive support to carers, often with additional training, out-of-hours assistance, and specialist services.

Placement flow and likelihood of matches

Local Authority placement flow

Because LAs hold the duty of care, they see every referral first. In many areas this means good placement continuity for in-house carers, especially for short-term and long-term placements. For emergency and short-notice referrals, LA carers are often contacted first.

IFA placement flow

IFAs receive referrals when an LA can’t match internally—due to availability, location, sibling group size, age/needs, or specialist requirements. In regions with high demand or shortages of certain placement types (e.g., teens, sibling groups, P&C), IFA carers can experience steady matching. In regions with strong LA sufficiency, IFAs may see peaks and troughs in referrals unless they specialise.

Takeaway: If you want a broader variety of complex or specialist placements, an IFA may bring more opportunities. If you prefer steady mainstream work and strong links with local schools/social care, the LA route often provides consistent matching close to home.

Allowances, fees and financial clarity

Two parts to pay

No matter the route, foster carer pay typically has two elements:

1. Allowance – money to cover the child’s day-to-day care (food, clothing, utilities, transport, activities).
2. Fee/Skill payment – recognition of your role, skills and availability (sometimes called “professional fee”).

Local Authority pay profile

LAs must meet or exceed national minimum (or recommended) allowances. Fees can vary by skill level, training completed, and placement type. Some LAs offer retainers, enhanced rates for complex needs, and additional payments for birthdays/holidays/festive periods, equipment, and mileage.

IFA pay profile

IFAs often advertise higher combined packages (allowance + fee) for hard-to-place children or specialist schemes. Many provide clear written breakdowns and enhanced rates for skills, complexity, or specific programmes (therapeutic, P&C). Because IFAs rely on good retention, you’ll often see well-defined extras—e.g., respite entitlement, 24/7 on-call, therapy access.

Takeaway: IFAs can pay more for certain placements, but the key is transparency. Regardless of route, ask for a written schedule that separates allowance and fee, lists enhancements, and explains retainers, cancellation terms, and review points.

Training, supervision and wraparound support

Local Authority support

LA services provide the Skills to Foster pre-approval course, a supervising social worker (SSW), regular supervision visits, and access to LA training, support groups and foster carer networks. You’ll also have direct links to Looked After Children’s nurses, the Virtual School, and the child’s social worker, which can make education and health coordination smoother.

IFA support

IFAs emphasise high-touch support: frequent SSW contact, 24/7 out-of-hours support, and access to specialised training (trauma, PACE, de-escalation, safeguarding, therapeutic parenting). Many IFAs run peer hubs, Mockingbird-style constellations, reflective practice groups, and include clinical consultation for carers handling complex needs.

Takeaway: If you want intensive coaching and a tight-knit practice culture, IFAs can be compelling. If you value close alignment with local education/health and direct LA systems, the LA route is often simpler.

Education, CAMHS and multi-agency coordination

Local Authority edge

Because LAs manage Virtual School teams and hold statutory responsibility, they often have faster escalation routes in school admission disputes, PEP meetings, and attendance/exclusion issues. For routine CAMHS referrals, the LA’s existing pathways can be more straightforward.

IFA edge

Where an IFA invests in education and clinical partnerships, you may access specialist consultations, in-house therapists, and education advisers who help you advocate during PEPs or EHCP processes. Strong IFAs coach carers on paperwork, evidence gathering, and multi-agency meetings—a big plus when needs are complex.

Takeaway: For routine education and health, LA pathways can be direct. For complex needs, an IFA with therapy and education specialists can bolster your toolkit.

Matching philosophy and say-so

Local Authority matching

LA matching tries to keep children in their school and near family/community where safe. You’ll often be asked to consider local placements, which reduces travel time and helps stability. You should still have space to ask questions quickly and say no where the risks don’t fit your safer-caring plan.

IFA matching

IFAs handle large volumes of multi-LA referrals, and a good IFA will filter cases to your approval range, household profile, and safer-caring policy. Many provide a standard “questions to ask” checklist so you can make decisions quickly and safely.

Takeaway: Both routes should respect your right to decline a placement. IFAs may present wider options; LAs may prioritise local stability.

Allegations, standards of care and safeguarding culture

Local Authority process

All fostering services follow safeguarding procedures, but LAs carry investigative duties. You should expect clear allegations guidance, access to an independent support service, and consistent communication during enquiries.

IFA process

IFAs usually emphasise proactive safer-caring, robust recording, and independent advice for carers during investigations. Many carers appreciate the responsiveness of IFA out-of-hours teams if an allegation lands after 5pm.

Takeaway: Ask both routes for their allegations guide, support contacts, and timescales, and check how they help with recording, logs, and de-briefs after incidents.

Flexibility, distance and lifestyle fit

Local Authority lifestyle fit

If your priority is shorter travel, same-city schools, and strong ties to local services, the LA route often minimises disruption. This can suit carers with young birth children, school-hour constraints, or a desire to stay highly community-based.

IFA lifestyle fit

If you can flex to wider catchments (e.g., neighbouring boroughs/counties), IFAs can offer more diverse referrals and sometimes higher fees for complex needs. This can suit carers who enjoy specialist work, have availability for training, and are confident with multi-agency settings.

Takeaway: Think practically about school runs, contact travel, appointments, and your work patterns before deciding.

Who should choose which route? (Real-world scenarios)

Scenario 1: “Local, stable, and school-friendly”

You live in Maidstone and prefer steady mainstream placements that keep children in their current school. You have strong ties with local clubs and a supportive extended family nearby.
Best fit: Local Authority, where local matches and direct Virtual School links are likely to make life smoother.

Scenario 2: “Therapeutic and complex”

You’re in Hounslow, have a background in education or health, and want to specialise in trauma-informed care, perhaps with teens, sibling groups, or Parent & Child. You value clinical consultation, reflective supervision, and enhanced training.
Best fit: A therapeutic IFA with strong clinical input and higher-intensity support.

Scenario 3: “Transfer with experience”

You’re an experienced carer already approved elsewhere, considering a transfer for better support or fees.
Either route can work—prioritise the one offering the best match pipeline, transparent package, and supervision style you prefer. Ask both for a written transfer plan (notice periods, continuity of approvals, and start date).

Questions to ask before you choose

Matching & demand

• What placement types are most in demand in my area this year (teens, UASC, sibling groups, P&C, disability/complex)?
• How often do carers in my profile receive referrals?

Support & supervision

• How many households does each supervising social worker hold?
• Is there 24/7 support? How is it staffed?
• What specialist services (therapy, education advocacy) are available and how do I access them?

Money & extras

• Can you provide a written breakdown of allowance vs fee, with enhancements (complexity, mileage, birthdays/holidays, equipment, respite, retainers)?
• How are retainers and cancellations handled?
• How do review points work for moving up skill levels?

Allegations & wellbeing

• What independent support is available during allegations?
• What training do you provide on recording, safer-caring, and de-escalation?
• How do you support carer wellbeing and prevent burnout (respite, peer groups, Mockingbird, counselling)?

Pros and cons at a glance

Local Authority – strengths

• First look at all referrals and strong local matching
• Streamlined access to Virtual School, health and statutory processes
• Often easier school continuity and shorter travel

Local Authority – watch-outs

• Fees/skill payments can be less flexible or slower to review
• Support intensity varies by area and staffing levels
• Specialist placements may be routed to partner IFAs

IFA – strengths

• Often higher combined packages for complex or specialist placements
• Strong training, 24/7 support, and clinical/education add-ons
• Wider choice of placement types across multiple LAs

IFA – watch-outs

• Referral flow can be variable depending on local sufficiency
• Travel distances may be greater (schools, contact, health)
• You rely on external LA systems for some decisions

How to decide—step-by-step

Step 1: Define your approval range and lifestyle limits

Be honest about ages, needs, bedroom availability, pets, work patterns, and school run reality. This narrows the field.

Step 2: Shortlist 2–3 providers of each type

Pick your home LA plus one neighbouring LA if applicable; add one generalist IFA and one specialist IFA (therapeutic or P&C) to compare.

Step 3: Request written packages and talk to current carers

Ask for the itemised allowance/fee schedule, enhancements, and real examples for the placements you want. Speak to current carers about support quality and out-of-hours responsiveness.

Step 4: Map referrals to your calendar

If you work part-time or have school-age birth children, ask how referrals would affect contact days, PEPs, reviews, and training. The best provider will fit your life, not fight it.

Step 5: Choose the team—not just the rate

A slightly higher fee can be outweighed by weak support. Prioritise supervision quality, training depth, and carer wellbeing safeguards.

The bottom line

There’s no universal “best” route—there’s only the best fit for you and the children you’ll care for.

• Choose your Local Authority if you want local placements, simpler links to statutory services, and a strong community feel with steady mainstream matches.
• Choose an IFA if you’re drawn to specialist work, want intensive support and training, and you’re comfortable with wider travel or complex needs—often with higher combined packages.