We are passionate about supporting our foster carers and believe there are some great reasons why you should join us. With competitive fees, comprehensive training, and dedicated social worker support, our foster carers are never alone on their rewarding journey. Join us and make a real difference in a child's life while reaping the benefits of being part of our fostering family.
Allowances
It is important that you feel financially secure when you foster a Brent child. In April 2025 we increased our fostering allowances to ensure our allowances are competitive.
Brent foster carers can now receive up to £495 a week, depending on the child’s age and the carer’s experience.
The allowances are to reward the foster carer for their skills as well as providing for the expenses involved in looking after the child.
They are made up of an allowance to cover the needs of the child, calculated on their age and a fee element for the carer, based on their level of skill and experience.
Weekly combination of fostering child allowances and foster carer fee:
| Age of child/young person | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 4 year | £232.19 | £378 | £412 |
| 5 - 10 years | £244.80 | £391 | £426 |
| 11 - 15 years | £278.52 | £433 | £467 |
| 16+ years | £308.58 | £460 | £495 |
On top of this, we also offer:
- a free laptop or tablet to ensure that foster carers can access virtual meetings, attend virtual training and keep up to date with emails and logs
- a Blue Light Card with more than 15,000 discounts from national and local retailers
- annual social and celebration events for foster carers, including a summer seaside trip and end of year celebration ball
- £1,000 referral reward for foster carers who refer a friend or family member and they become a Brent foster carer
- one-off payments for special occasions throughout the year like birthdays, holidays and festivals
- support with items such as a bed or cot, mattress, bedding and a car seat to help up get set up.
Benefits, support and training
In addition to a generous allowance, our fostering package also includes:
- dedicated one-to-one support from an experienced social worker
- 24/7 telephone support
- extensive learning, development and training opportunities
- membership with The Fostering Network which provides foster carers with market-leading legal protection insurance covering the whole fostering household, independent support, and connection to a UK network of foster carers
- mockingbird family programme – Brent’s Mockingbird model of support is now live. For those who wish to join the Brent Mockingbird programme, you will have support from experienced foster carers to provide regular support to you including sleepovers, training and social events
- peer support group
- access to free therapeutic support and training to support foster carers along their foster caring journey.
Cost of day-care for a foster child
Working and fostering
You can be a foster carer for Brent and continue to work full time. Many of our foster carers are in full‑time employment.
Free childcare funding
Most foster carers can get free childcare funding for children aged 9 months to 4 years. This includes 15 hours of free early years education each week.
From 1 September 2025, some foster carers may be able to apply for extra funded childcare hours. Eligibility depends on things like your work situation and the child’s care plan.
30 hours of free childcare
You may be able to receive 30 hours of free childcare for the child in your care if:
- it is consistent with the child’s care plan
- you and your partner (if applicable) work outside your fostering role
- you have discussed the application with the child’s social worker and the supervising social worker before applying.
