Does a fostering agency work with my local authority?

Yes, an independent fostering agency can work with your local authority. The agency and the local authority have different responsibilities: the agency assesses, approves and supports foster carers, while the local authority responsible for a child arranges and oversees the child’s care plan and may request a placement with an approved carer.

You do not usually have to foster for the council where you live. If you apply to a fostering agency, that agency becomes responsible for your assessment, approval and ongoing supervision. Once approved, you may be considered for placements made by different local authorities, depending on your approval terms, the needs of the child and whether the placement is a suitable match.

The process involves cooperation between the agency, the placing authority and other professionals involved in the child’s care. Before a placement is agreed, information is shared about the child’s needs, routines, relationships, education, health and any risks that need to be managed. The agency should help you understand this information and consider whether your household can provide the right care before you make a decision.

When a child is placed with you, the local authority remains responsible for the child’s statutory care arrangements. It will usually lead on matters such as the child’s care plan, contact arrangements and reviews. The fostering agency continues to support you as the carer, including through supervision, advice, training and liaison with the child’s social worker and other professionals.

Both organisations need to work within agreed procedures. These can cover:

• how referrals and potential placements are shared;
• the information provided before a placement is considered;
• who should be contacted about safeguarding, health, education or contact issues;
• how placement agreements and delegated authority are recorded;
• how concerns, incidents and changes in a child’s circumstances are managed; and
• how placement reviews are arranged and attended.

Delegated authority is particularly important. A child’s parents and the local authority retain legal responsibilities, but some everyday decisions may be delegated to foster carers. The placement agreement should explain what you can decide, such as ordinary school activities, haircuts, hobbies or routine healthcare, and which decisions need approval from the local authority or someone with parental responsibility.

Local authorities may have their own procedures, paperwork and expectations, but these do not replace the agency’s responsibility to support its approved carers. You should have a named supervising social worker or equivalent point of professional support, regular supervision and access to relevant training. The agency should also help you raise questions or concerns with the placing authority when decisions affect the child or the placement.

It is sensible to ask a fostering agency how it works with councils before applying. Useful questions include:

• Which local authorities does the agency regularly work with?
• How are placement referrals explained and discussed with foster carers?
• What support is available during the first days of a placement?
• How are disagreements between the carer, agency and local authority handled?
• What training is provided for the needs of children likely to be placed?
• How are allowances, expenses and other financial arrangements explained?

Our staff support foster carers across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire. We have offices in Droitwich and Stoke, with staff located across the region to provide local support. The important point is that your local council does not have to be your fostering provider: an agency can approve and support you while working with the appropriate local authority to identify and manage suitable placements.