How does carer status differ between fostering approaches?

Carer status describes the formal arrangement under which you foster, including the organisation responsible for your approval, your fostering agreement, supervision, reviews and payments. The day-to-day role of caring for a child can look similar across approaches, but the organisation behind the arrangement affects how decisions are made and where you go for support.

Local authority foster carer

A local authority foster carer is approved within the council’s fostering service. The council sets the terms of approval, provides supervision and training, and manages the placement in line with its own policies and procedures. The council is also responsible for reviewing your approval and considering whether changes are needed, such as approval for different ages, numbers or types of placement.

Your fostering agreement explains your responsibilities, including safeguarding, record keeping, working with professionals and supporting a child’s care plan. The child’s social worker remains responsible for the child’s wider care planning, so being an approved foster carer does not make you the child’s legal parent.

Independent fostering agency carer

An independent fostering agency carer is approved through an agency rather than directly through a council. The agency provides the fostering agreement, supervising social worker, training, support and review arrangements. It also works with local authorities when a placement is being considered and helps you follow the child’s care plan.

Independent agency carers have the same core safeguarding duties as other approved foster carers. The agency must operate within the applicable fostering regulations and standards, and its procedures should explain how concerns, complaints, allegations and placement difficulties are managed. The agency’s policies may differ from those of a council, so it is important to read the proposed agreement carefully before proceeding.

Voluntary fostering agency carer

Voluntary foster care usually refers to fostering through a not-for-profit or charitable fostering organisation. In terms of formal status, this is generally a form of independent agency fostering rather than a separate legal category. The organisation still sets out the approval terms, support arrangements, training requirements and payment structure in its fostering agreement.

The word ‘voluntary’ can cause confusion because it describes the nature of the organisation, not unpaid fostering. Foster carers normally receive fostering payments and allowances under the terms agreed with their fostering service. The amount and structure vary, so ask for current information about payments, expenses, tax treatment and any conditions attached to allowances.

Whole family fostering

Whole family fostering describes an approach in which a child and their family may be supported together, often through a carefully assessed and structured placement. It does not create a separate type of carer status. The formal status comes from the organisation that approves you and the specific fostering arrangement set out in your agreements.

This approach can involve additional assessment, training, boundaries and professional support because the work may include both the child and members of their birth family. Before accepting such a placement, clarify who is responsible for each part of the plan, how safeguarding concerns are reported, what contact arrangements apply and what support is available to everyone involved.

What does not change between approaches?

• You must meet the relevant assessment and approval requirements.
• You are responsible for providing safe, suitable care and following safeguarding procedures.
• You must work with social workers, education professionals, health services and other people involved in the child’s plan.
• Your approval, training needs and ongoing suitability are reviewed rather than treated as permanent and unrestricted.
• You must maintain confidentiality while sharing information appropriately to protect the child.

Foster carers do not usually become employees of the council or agency simply because they are approved. The exact contractual and payment position should be confirmed with the fostering service, as arrangements can differ. Fostering payments may also have specific tax rules, so independent tax advice can be useful.

How status affects important decisions

Your fostering service normally manages the approval process, matching discussions, supervision and formal reviews. However, the local authority responsible for a looked-after child remains central to decisions about that child’s care plan. Foster carers contribute observations and views, but they do not normally make major legal or care-planning decisions alone.

Parental responsibility is another area that should be distinguished from carer status. Foster care approval does not usually give a carer parental responsibility. The extent to which day-to-day decisions can be delegated will depend on the child’s legal status, the care plan and the instructions given by the responsible professionals.

How to compare your options

When considering a route, look beyond the label and ask:

• Who will supervise you and how often will support be provided?
• What training is required before approval and throughout your fostering career?
• How are fostering allowances, expenses and any additional payments explained?
• How are allegations, complaints and safeguarding concerns escalated?
• Who attends reviews and makes decisions about changes to your approval?
• What happens if a placement ends, your circumstances change or you want to transfer to another fostering service?

The most suitable route depends on the type of fostering you are considering and the level of support you want around your household. Comparing the fostering agreement, approval terms, training programme, support structure and payment information will give you a clearer picture of what your carer status would mean in practice.