Why foster with an agency over the Local authority?

The main reason many people foster with an agency over the Local authority is the better levels of support that agencies can provide. 

The fostering network states “The level of support – especially practical – is often higher with an agency than an LA. They have a better ratio of supervising social workers to foster carers so one is usually available to step in, if necessary, in an emergency and offer hands-on support, for example, by collecting a child from school”

At Fair Ways, we find not only does fostering with an agency mean the practical support is better but also the emotional support is improved, due to the better relationships the Supervising Social Workers can build with the foster carers, their families and the young people in their care. These relationships are generally better with Supervising social workers due to them having a lower case load ratio and agencies having better staff retention rates.

Fostering with an agency also means we work with a number of local authorities not just one. This improves the matching process to ensure the best compatibility with your family and birth children or any other foster children you may be already looking after. 

Although allowances vary, agencies do generally pay their foster carers a higher allowance than the local authorities. At Fair Ways, we know foster carers are financially better off fostering with us than the 5 main local authorities in our area