How to Become a Foster Carer in 2026 — The Complete Guide

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most meaningful things you can do. Over 83,000 children in the UK are in care at any one time — and the demand for foster families far exceeds supply.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the process, from initial enquiry to your first placement.

Who Can Foster?

The eligibility requirements are broader than most people think:

• Age: You must be over 21 (18 in some areas). There is no upper age limit.
• Housing: You need a spare bedroom for the child. You can rent or own your home.
• Status: Single people, married couples, civil partners, cohabiting couples, and same-sex couples can all foster.
• Employment: You can work full-time, part-time, or not at all. Many foster carers balance careers with caring.
• Background: A DBS check is required, but having a criminal record doesn't automatically disqualify you. Each case is assessed individually.

The Assessment Process (Form F)

The formal assessment — known as Form F in England — typically takes 4 to 6 months. It involves:

1. Initial enquiry — A conversation with your chosen agency to establish basic eligibility.
2. Skills to Foster training — Group-based preparation covering child development, safeguarding, and what to expect.
3. Home study — A social worker visits your home multiple times to assess your family, lifestyle, and motivations.
4. References and checks — DBS, medical, personal and professional references.
5. Panel — You attend a fostering panel who make the final approval recommendation.

FosterReady's free training covers much of the same ground as Skills to Foster, giving you a significant head start and demonstrating your commitment to agencies.

How Much Do Foster Carers Get Paid?

Foster carers receive two components:

• Maintenance allowance: Covers the child's day-to-day costs (food, clothing, activities). The government sets National Minimum Allowances (NMA), updated annually.
• Fee/reward: A payment for your time and skills. This varies significantly between agencies — from £0 (some local authorities) to £600+ per week (specialist IFAs).

In total, foster carers typically receive between £450 and £900 per week, depending on the child's age, needs, your region, and your agency.

IFA vs Local Authority — Which Should You Choose?

Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) are private organisations that recruit, train, and support foster carers. They typically offer higher fees, more training, and smaller caseloads.

Local authorities are the statutory providers. They often have lower fees but may offer other benefits like pension contributions and access to local services.

The Fostering Network has a useful comparison tool to help you research agencies in your area.

Getting Started

The best way to start is to contact your local authority or an IFA in your area and ask to attend an information evening — there's no commitment. You can also use our free eligibility checker to get a quick sense of your readiness.

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Sources: Fostering Services NMS (gov.uk) · Children looked after in England (DfE) · Help with the cost of fostering (gov.uk)
Last verified: March 2026