What to Consider When Choosing a Fostering Agency

To be a foster carer you must be registered with a fostering service. This could be through your local authority or an independent fostering agency. But how do you know which fostering agency to choose?

In this blog, we’re highlighting what to consider when choosing a fostering agency.

Location

Fostering agencies typically work within a certain geographical area. For example, here at Olive Branch Fostering, we cover the North West of England.

Your first step when choosing a fostering agency will be to find out which fostering agencies cover your region.

Fostering with an agency that’s local to you or has a base in your area will make it easier for you to attend meetings and training further down the line and to access support as a foster carer should you need it.

Experience and Reputation

To help you make your decision, it’s a good idea to research the experience and reputation of any fostering agency that you’re considering.

You might want to think about:

• How long the agency has been established

• What qualifications and experience the team holds

• The agency’s reputation and whether they come recommended

• Any mention of the agency in the press

• Their ethos and values

If possible, it’s a good idea to speak to a current foster carer at the agency to hear about their experience and views.

You could also look up any reviews or official reports to help you make your decision. All fostering agencies are inspected and rated by Ofsted and the reports are viewable online.

Training

Training is an important aspect of becoming a foster carer. All carers undertake an initial training program as part of the fostering process but a good agency should also offer ongoing training to help carers stay up-to-date with regulations.

You might also be offered specific training tailored to the type of fostering you’ll be doing for example, training for parent and child foster carers or those offering placements to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

Ongoing Support

The support you’ll be given as a foster carer is a crucial aspect of your fostering agency’s role and can make all the difference to your fostering journey and the experience you have as a carer.

What level of support you can expect from your agency is something you’ll want to know before deciding to foster with them.

Olive Branch Fostering offers a comprehensive package of support so our carers can rest assured that we’ll be there for them should they need support or advice at any stage of the fostering process or later down the line.

Allowance and Benefits

All foster carers receive an allowance to cover the costs of caring for a foster child. However, how much foster carers are paid depends on several factors, such as whether they foster through their local council or an independent fostering service.

How much you receive as a foster carer can also depend on other factors, such as:

• The type of fostering placement you’re offering

• The number and ages of children you foster

• Any additional needs the child/ren have

• Where you live

• Any additional training or qualifications you hold

When choosing a fostering agency, you should find out what allowance you’ll be entitled to and if the agency offers any additional benefits.

For example, at Olive Branch, all our carers benefit from cost of living support, petrol allowances, and high-street discounts. Plus we hold social events and arrange days out for our foster families.

A Sense of Community

Becoming a foster carer is a big step, and while it can be incredibly rewarding, it can bring challenges too. That’s why having a fostering community around you is so important. Knowing that others are going through similar experiences means you will always have someone to turn to for support or to celebrate your achievements with when things are going well.

When choosing a fostering agency, ask what kind of community they can offer - do their carers meet regularly? Do they hold fostering forums or informal get-togethers for carers? What about family events, outings and clubs?

Joining a fostering agency that has a sense of community can make all the difference to your experience of fostering so it’s worth bearing in mind when comparing the different fostering agencies in your area.

Find Out More

Here at Olive Branch Fostering we’re always looking for new carers to provide safe, loving homes for children across the North West.

If you’d like to know more about becoming a foster carer or want to discover if Olive Branch is the right fostering agency for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can call us on 01706 558910 or fill out our online enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.