Fostering with Redbridge

Fostering with your local council

foster carer playing the piano with their fostered child

When you foster for Redbridge Council, you provide a safe and supportive home for a child from your local community. You’ll be supported by professionals who understand the needs of children and families in the borough.

Fostering with the council can help children stay close to familiar people, schools and neighbourhoods. This can give them greater stability and help them maintain important connections and a sense of belonging.

Redbridge is part of Local Community Fostering, a council-led partnership with Havering, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. By working together, the four councils can share knowledge, training and resources while continuing to provide support at a local level.

As a Redbridge foster carer, you’ll be part of a public service that makes decisions based on the needs and wellbeing of children.

Learn more about fostering with your local council

Benefits and support for foster carers

Fostering is a significant commitment, and Redbridge Council recognises the responsibility foster carers take on every day. That’s why carers are supported by a fostering service that has been recognised Outstanding by Ofsted for the quality of care, leadership and outcomes achieved for children.

Fostering fees and allowances in Redbridge

Weekly fostering payments between £376 and £840 per child (foster carer fee and child allowance combined), depending on the age of the child or young person, their needs, and the carer’s training and experience.
£1,000 per week for a parent and child fostering arrangement, where you support a parent and their baby or child in your home. Carers will also receive the standard weekly child allowance in addition to this payment, where the child in the home is looked after by the local authority.
Enhanced payments between £806 and £1,140 per child per week, for foster carers supporting children moving from residential care to foster care.
Up to 80% council tax discount for eligible carers.
Extra annual support including festival allowance, birthday allowance, holiday allowance.

Redbridge support and training

When you foster for your local council, you’re supported by a local team throughout your journey, including:

A dedicated supervising social worker and regular supervision.
Access to out-of-hours support through the Emergency Duty Team (EDT).
Peer support through foster carer groups, foster carer associations and a fostering buddy scheme.
Opportunities to connect with other carers through events held throughout the year.
A Fostering Network membership.

In addition to the support available across Local Community Fostering, Redbridge Council also offers:

A trauma-informed fostering approach.
Face to face clinical psychologist support for specialist carers looking after children with more complex needs.
Participation in the Mockingbird model, providing peer support and shared care within constellations.
Access to the Caring Life app to document and reflect on children’s histories and progress.
An extensive year round training programme, delivered by experienced trainers, flexible learning through an online training platform for carers with work or family commitments.

Additional benefits for Redbridge foster carers

Bedroom furniture provided for children once carers are approved.
A national Max Card, providing free or discounted entry to attractions across the UK.

Transferring to Redbridge Council

If you already foster through an independent agency or another local authority, you may be considering a move to council fostering. Transferring to Redbridge can help you work more closely with local services and support children from your own community.

Our team will explain the transfer process, liaise with your current fostering service and support you throughout. We’ll work with everyone involved to make the transition as smooth as possible and avoid any gap in support.

Each carer’s circumstances are different. If you’re thinking about transferring, complete the form below and we’ll contact you to answer your questions and discuss your options.

Transferring to local council fostering

To find out about how your Council supports foster carers, click the logos below

We’re the choice for people from all backgrounds—single, coupled up, LGBTQ+, renting, or owning—who want to open their hearts and homes to local children and become part of a loved local community.

Fill out this short form and one of our team will reach out for an open and honest chat. Or feel free to call us on 020 8496 3437 or email hello@localcommunityfostering.gov.uk.

You’re more ready than you think.

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