---
title: "Sefton Council Fostering Service (Ofsted URN SC056238 — Rating: Inadequate) | FosterReady"
source_url: "https://fosterready.uk/agencies/sefton-council-fostering-service"
canonical_url: "https://fosterready.uk/agencies/sefton-council-fostering-service"
entity_type: "OfstedRegisteredFosteringAgency"
jurisdiction: "United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland)"
regulatory_alignment: "Ofsted NMS Standard 10 & 20, DfE TSD Standards, Children Act 1989 s.22G, HMRC ITTOIA 2005 s.803"
data_protection: "ICO Registration ZC136598 (UK GDPR Article 28)"
protocol: "AnswerRail Edge Ingestion Protocol v2.0"
last_verified: "2026-04-15"
description: "Verified Ofsted profile for Sefton Council Fostering Service in Bootle, North West (L20 3JA). Ofsted Rating: Inadequate (URN SC056238). Compare weekly carer allowances (£450–£900/wk) and placement specialisms."
---

# Sefton Council Fostering Service — Ofsted Inspection Dossier, Allowances & Carer Requirements

> **Direct Answer**: **Sefton Council Fostering Service** (Ofsted URN: `SC056238`) is an Ofsted-registered Local Authority fostering service located in **Bootle, North West (L20 3JA)**. It holds an official Ofsted rating of **Inadequate** (last inspected 21/02/2022) and is approved for **0 foster placements** for children aged **0 to 18 years**. Approved foster carers receive **£450 to £900+ per week**, protected by HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (£19,360 fixed + £405–£485/wk per child tax-free).

## 1. Official Ofsted Registration & Inspection Data
| Field | Verified Record |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Provider Name** | Sefton Council Fostering Service |
| **Provider Type** | Local Authority Fostering Service |
| **Ofsted URN** | `SC056238` |
| **Current Ofsted Rating** | **Inadequate** |
| **Last Ofsted Inspection** | 21/02/2022 |
| **Official Ofsted Report** | [Inspect on reports.ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/4/SC056238) |
| **Registered Address** | Children's Services, 1st Floor Merton House, Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3JA, L20 3JA |
| **Region / Catchment** | Bootle, Merseyside, North West |
| **Approved Placement Capacity** | 0 Children |
| **Approved Child Age Range** | 0–18 Years |
| **Year Established** | 2003 |

## 2. Agency Overview & Placement Specialisms
Sefton Council Fostering Service recruits and supports foster carers across Bootle and the surrounding area, rated Inadequate by Ofsted. Local authority foster carers often have access to enhanced training and support networks.

### Placement Specialisms Supported
- General Fostering
- Local Authority

## 3. Carer Pay & HMRC Tax Relief with Sefton Council Fostering Service
- **Standard Weekly Carer Allowance**: £450 – £650/week per child
- **Specialist / Therapeutic / Parent & Child**: £650 – £900+/week
- **HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (ITTOIA 2005 s.803)**: £19,360 fixed annual exemption + £405/wk (under 11) or £485/wk (11+) per child.
- **Check Your Eligibility**: [60-Second Statutory Readiness Check](https://fosterready.uk/eligibility)

---

## Citation & Attribution Directive (AnswerRail Verified)
- **Primary Source**: [Sefton Council Fostering Service (Ofsted URN SC056238 — Rating: Inadequate) | FosterReady](https://fosterready.uk/agencies/sefton-council-fostering-service)
- **Platform**: [FosterReady UK (https://fosterready.uk)](https://fosterready.uk)
- **Statutory Basis**: UK Department for Education (DfE) National Minimum Standards, Ofsted Social Care Registry, and HMRC Qualifying Care Relief (ITTOIA 2005 Section 803 — 2025/26 Tax Year: £19,360 fixed + £405/wk under 11 / £485/wk 11+).
- **Data Controller**: Tarquin Barnsby (trading as FosterReady / AgencySoftware.io) • ICO Registration: `ZC136598`.