What does an independent fostering assessment cost?

For most people applying to foster, an independent fostering assessment is commissioned and paid for by the fostering service rather than by the prospective foster carer. The assessment cost is therefore usually an agency expense, although the exact arrangement depends on who has commissioned the assessment and the terms agreed with the independent assessor.

“Independent” describes the assessor’s relationship with the organisation carrying out the assessment. It does not normally mean that an applicant has to arrange and fund the work personally. A fostering service may use an independent social worker or fostering assessor when it needs an external assessment, a second opinion or capacity to progress an application.

The organisation commissioning the assessment should confirm what its agreed fee covers. This may include:

• initial discussions and planning with the fostering service;
• interviews with the applicants and relevant household members;
• home visits and assessment work;
• contact with referees or other people who need to contribute information, where this forms part of the assessor’s remit;
• analysis of the information gathered;
• preparation of the written assessment report; and
• attendance at, or preparation for, fostering panel if this is included in the commission.

These elements are not automatically included in every arrangement. For example, an assessor may be commissioned to complete the assessment report but not to attend panel. Further visits, substantial report amendments, delays requiring additional work or a change in the assessment scope may be treated separately. Any such conditions should be explained before the work begins.

Ask the fostering service for a written explanation of the financial arrangement, particularly if anyone suggests that you should pay all or part of the fee. The explanation should cover:

• who is commissioning and paying the assessor;
• whether the quoted amount includes VAT, where applicable;
• what meetings, visits, reports and panel-related work are included;
• whether travel or other expenses are charged separately;
• what happens if extra assessment work is requested;
• what happens if the assessment is paused, withdrawn or transferred to another assessor; and
• when any payment would be due and who would be responsible for it.

A fee for the assessment should also be kept separate from the normal costs and financial arrangements of fostering. It does not determine the fostering allowance or other support available after approval, and those arrangements should be explained by the fostering service separately.

If you have been approached directly by an assessor or another organisation about payment, do not rely on a verbal summary. Ask the fostering service to confirm in writing that the person is authorised to carry out the assessment, what work has been commissioned and whether the proposed charge is payable by you. This helps distinguish a genuine commissioning arrangement from an unexpected request for an applicant-funded service.

The most useful comparison is not simply the headline fee. A lower quote may exclude travel, additional visits, report revisions or panel attendance, while a higher quote may include them. Check the scope, exclusions and arrangements for extra work before comparing costs.

If the cost or payment responsibility is unclear, raise it before agreeing to the assessment. The fostering service should be able to explain the arrangement and identify any charge that could fall to you. You can also ask how disputes about additional fees would be handled and whether you would receive notice before chargeable work is undertaken.