Not-for-profit fostering agencies vs national IFA’s

Many people are unaware of the difference between a not-for-profit like Fair Ways and an agency when it comes to foster care, so we put together a quick blog detailing what sets us apart from many local and national foster care providers. 

Fair Ways was established in 2002, and always sought safe, stable placements to children and young people whilst ensuring foster carers received the best possible support in their fostering journey.

There’s three main types of fostering in the UK; private companies, not-for-profit organisations and local authority. Both private agencies and not for profits are known as IFA’s and, due to the demand on local councils, IFA’s now work alongside local authorities to find suitable homes for the rising number of children and young people in need of a foster family.

There is an acute shortage of foster carers in the UK and especially in the Portsmouth. Fair Ways charity are current receiving requests for over 50 new foster placements every day.

Every child and young person deserves a safe, loving environment and a support network that helps them as they move into young adulthood. They deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential, and whilst not all children and young people get off to the best start, we do our best to ensure they receive the support they need to successfully navigate young adulthood. 

In May 2022, The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care reported: “When finding a home for a child in care, our obsession must be putting relationships around them that are loving and lasting. Providing care for children should not be based on profit. The current system is a very long way from these principles and ambitions being realised.” (IRCSC Report)

As a charity, Fair Ways reinvest all surplus funds back into the services we offer, allowing us to provide the highest levels of pay, allowances, training and support to our foster families whilst further investing in our specialist schools, education and support services and staff. Fair Ways fostering team also have access to the skills and experience of these colleagues to help guide any challenges that may arise.

At Fair Ways, the outcomes of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do. We’re incredibly proud that our teams are so aligned in our goals to provide unrivalled support to foster families in Portsmouth. If you could offer a foster child a loving home please contact Fair Ways at fostering.info@fairways.co