New to fostering

[BenjiDAD]

Good evening!

Myself and my wife are thinking about fostering and we are keen to hear about other people's experiences. We have been told that private firms are better than the council? Why is this? If so, which private firms are better and why?

Any tips or do's/don'ts from your own experience would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Hi, the thread I will link below is from a few years back (2017) but it addresses the difference between private firms and the council. All the best

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fostering/2917924-Considering-Fostering-New-to-mumsnet-too

I am a social worker for the local authority.

Sometimes agencies offer a lot of different support resources to tap in to however the council can also access a lot of support but you need to be clear with your social worker what you want / need.

Agencies charge the local authority a lot more too per child. I personally would be a LA foster carer and not private agency

Hi. I foster with LA and have had 6 children over the last 2 years - 2 for over 18months. I have not had a day without children since starting. LA pay less especially the first year but then it goes up depending on your training (attending courses). Agencies pay more but the children are usually more difficult to place. It is very rewarding but hard too