Aldershot Open Day
7 March 2026
If you are thinking about becoming a foster carer, one of the first questions you may ask is: Is it better to foster through an Independent Fostering Agency or a Local Authority?
It is an important question. Choosing who to foster with is not just about paperwork or processes. It is about the level of support you will receive, the training available to you, and how confident you will feel when welcoming a child or young person into your home.
Both Independent Fostering Agencies, often called IFAs, and Local Authority fostering services play a vital role in supporting children and young people. The right choice depends on what matters most to you as a future foster parent.
This guide will help you understand the difference, so you can take the next step with clarity and confidence.
An Independent Fostering Agency is a specialist organisation that works in partnership with Local Authorities to provide foster placements for children and young people.
IFAs recruit, assess, train and support foster carers. When a Local Authority needs a suitable placement for a child or young person, they may commission an Independent Fostering Agency to provide that support.
Independent agencies are often smaller organisations with dedicated fostering teams. Many, like Step by Step, offer enhanced training and a relationship-led approach, with a strong focus on therapeutic and trauma-informed care.
As a charitable organisation, Step by Step reinvests any surplus back into its services, strengthening support for foster parents and enabling more children and young people to access safe, stable homes.
Local Authority fostering services are run directly by councils. They are responsible for children and young people in care within their area and recruit their own foster carers.
When you foster with a Local Authority, you are directly connected to the council that holds parental responsibility for the child or young person.
Local Authorities often have a wide range of services available internally, and foster parents may feel closely linked to their local community.
Both models are regulated and inspected, and both aim to provide safe, stable homes for children and young people who need them.
While the overall goal of both is the same, there are some important structural differences that may influence your decision.
One of the most significant differences often lies in the level of individual support.
Independent Fostering Agencies typically work with smaller caseloads. This can mean your supervising social worker has more time to provide regular contact, guidance and responsive support when challenges arise.
Local Authorities can have larger teams and broader responsibilities, which may result in higher caseloads for supervising social workers.
If having consistent, personalised support is a priority for you, this is an area worth exploring in more detail.
All foster carers receive core training. However, the depth and specialism of that training can vary.
Many Independent Fostering Agencies, such as Step by Step Fostering, provide enhanced therapeutic and trauma-informed training. This equips foster parents with practical strategies to understand behaviour, build trust and support children and young people who may have experienced significant adversity.
Local Authorities also offer training programmes, though the range and frequency may differ depending on the council.
If you are looking for specialist training and ongoing professional development, ask detailed questions about what is included.
Matching is crucial to creating stable placements.
Independent Fostering Agencies often place strong emphasis on careful matching, considering not only availability but the strengths, experience and preferences of the foster carer.
Local Authorities manage a large number of placements and may need to respond quickly in urgent situations.
In either case, open communication about the types of placements you feel prepared for is essential.
Fostering allowances are paid to cover the cost of caring for a child or young person. The structure of payments can vary between Local Authorities and Independent Fostering Agencies.
Some Independent Fostering Agencies offer competitive fees alongside allowances, reflecting the specialist nature of the care provided. At Step by Step Fostering, we offer upwards of £460 per child or young person per week.
It is important to look beyond headline figures and understand what support, training and professional development are included as part of the overall package.
Some foster parents value being part of a smaller, close-knit fostering community. Independent Fostering Agencies often create strong peer networks, support groups and events that build connection and shared learning. At Step by Step we regularly hold coffee mornings where local foster carers and Supported Lodgings hosts can come together and make connections.
Local Authorities may offer larger networks across a wider geographical area.
Consider what type of environment will help you feel supported and confident in your role.
There is no single answer that fits everyone.
If you value direct connection to your local council and a broad internal structure, a Local Authority may feel like the right fit.
If you are looking for a supervising social worker who can dedicate plenty of their time to you, enhanced trauma-informed training and a highly personalised support structure, an Independent Fostering Agency may offer the reassurance and guidance you are seeking.
The most important factor is how supported you feel. Foster parents do not work alone. The strength of the professional team around you can make a meaningful difference to both your experience and the child or young person in your care.
Many carers choose an Independent Fostering Agency because of the level of individual attention and specialist expertise available.
At Step by Step, we are committed to trauma-informed practice, equipping our foster parents with the skills and confidence to support children and young people who have experience instability or loss.
Our smaller caseloads allow supervising social workers to build strong, consistent relationships with carers. We believe that behind every child or young person who thrives is a network of adults who feel supported, valued and prepared.
Fostering is not about being perfect. It is about being present, supported and willing to make a difference.
If you are exploring whether fostering is right for you, the next step does not need to feel overwhelming.
You can download our fostering guide to explore the process, training and support in more detail.
Or, if you would prefer a conversation, speak directly with our fostering team. We are here to answer your questions, talk through your concerns and help you decide what feels right for you and your family.
Behind every child or young person who thrives is someone who cared enough to take the first step.
Take that next step today.
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