Choosing the right foster agency
Choosing an agency to begin fostering with, can be confusing. People understandably often assume that foster parents or carers are engaged solely by Local Authorities (LA), however this is not that case. In addition to Local Authorities, there are a large number of Independent Fostering Agencies known as IFAs. In England these are registered with Ofsted.
At the end of March 2021, there were 425 agencies in England, 145 LA agencies and 280 IFAs.
So, as you can see the choice, is quite over whelming. Not only do you have your Local Authority, but also neighbouring Local Authorities, then additionally you have approximately 280 IFAs. Picking one to go with can be difficult and this article aims to suggest important matters for you to consider.
Here are some key considerations:
Ofsted Registration: Ensure that the agencies you’re looking at are registered with Ofsted. Take time to read their Ofsted reports here, as this will provide you with lots of information about how they operate and how Ofsted judge them.
Reputation: Do some research and find out what other foster parents are saying about the agency you’re interested in. Ask to speak directly to existing foster parents. Look at comments on social media etc. A good reputation is a strong indicator of an agency’s quality.
Types of Foster Care: There are many different types of fostering. Some focus on specific age groups or provide specialised care such as therapeutic, parent and child or remand. So, make sure it matches your interests and capabilities or ask to find out more about them.
Learning and Development: What training and development opportunities are offered. This is important because the task of being a foster parent is challenging, complex and often different from parenting birth children. Accessing good quality, accessible and relevant training is critical. Consider if there is a clear progression or development route.
Fees and Allowances: Foster Parents are paid an ‘allowance’ to cover the costs of bringing up a child. In most cases, particularly in IFAs, they are also paid a ‘fee’ for their professional time and skill. These together make the payment. These vary greatly and therefore need to be explored. Additionally, some agencies pay a retainer for periods when a child in not living with the foster parent.
Placement Process: Understand how the agency matches children with foster families. Your involvement in this process is essential for a successful placement.
Support: All agencies say they provide fantastic support, so this becomes tricky to assess. It’s also difficult to know before you foster, what support might be essential when you are fostering. Support can mean many things, it can refer to how often you see your Supervising Social Worker, how accessible they are, the quality of the relationship with you, their ability to enable you to find solutions or to assist you to develop and grow. There maybe access to Support Workers to support your family or Therapists to enable you to process and reflect on the difficult feelings that are present when fostering. How easy is it to access these things? Another consideration is the support provided by the fostering community. All these aspects make it difficult to assess and therefore researching around the agency and speaking to people is essential.
Support Groups and Networking: Consider how the agency provides support groups and networking opportunities. Connecting with other foster parents can be invaluable.
Location: Think about the agency’s location in relation to your home. Proximity can affect logistics like visitations and attending panel.
Cultural Sensitivity: Check if the agency is sensitive to cultural diversity and provides appropriate training. Is diversity, valued and understood?
Philosophy and Values: Ensure that the agency’s values align with your own beliefs and goals as a foster parent.
Not for Profit or For-Profit status: Most IFAs are profit making companies, generating dividends or profits for owners and shareholders. This is not the case with Local Authorities. There is a small minority of IFAs which are not for profit or are charities. There is a membership organisation for this group, called the Fairer Fostering Partnership.
Approval and assessment process: Understand the agency’s assessment and approval process, requirements, and the steps involved.
Trust Your Instincts: Finally, trust your instincts. Your comfort level with the agency is essential, so pay attention to how you feel during your interactions with them.
