Making the decision to become a foster carer is one of the most meaningful steps you can take in life. It’s not just a change of lifestyle — it’s a commitment to opening your heart and your home to a child who needs safety, stability, and support. But before you dive in, it’s vital to feel confident that you’re working with the right foster agency.
Whether you’re thinking about fostering for the first time or switching from another agency or local authority, it’s perfectly natural to have questions. And in truth, asking the right questions can make all the difference in finding an agency that matches your values, supports you fully, and prepares you properly for the fostering journey ahead.
Here we will explore some of the most important questions you should ask a foster agency before you sign up, along with insights into why these questions matter — and what to listen out for in their answers.
What Type of Placements Do You Specialise In?
Not all foster agencies are the same, and understanding the types of placements they handle is key. Some agencies focus on long-term placements, while others may specialise in short-term care, emergency placements, or parent and child fostering. Others may have particular expertise in therapeutic care, supporting children with complex emotional needs or trauma.
Before committing to an agency, it’s important to ask about the nature of the placements they usually manage. This gives you a clear sense of what to expect, the types of children you might care for, and how well their services align with your own capacity, skills, and lifestyle. For example, if you’re keen to foster teenagers or sibling groups, you’ll want an agency with a proven track record in that area.
By asking this early on, you’re not just showing that you’re serious about the role — you’re also making sure the agency can support you in the type of fostering you’re most suited to.
What Support Will I Receive As a Foster Carer?
Support is not just important in fostering — it’s essential. Fostering can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. The quality of support your agency offers will have a direct impact on your confidence, wellbeing, and ability to meet the needs of the children in your care.
One of the first things you should ask any foster agency is how they support their carers on a daily, weekly, and long-term basis. This includes everything from out-of-hours help and emergency support, to regular check-ins, supervision, mentoring, and access to therapeutic advice. Some agencies offer peer support groups, access to social workers around the clock, or even dedicated support workers for more complex placements.
Don’t be afraid to ask what support looks like in real terms. It’s not about being needy — it’s about being realistic. A good agency will be proud of the support they provide and will be happy to walk you through it in detail.
How Does the Matching Process Work?
Matching is the process of placing the right child with the right foster family — and it’s something that varies greatly between agencies. Some are more thorough than others, and it’s worth asking how the agency approaches this critical part of the journey.
You’ll want to understand how much input you’ll have in accepting a placement. Will you be given detailed background information about the child before they arrive? Will the agency consider your family dynamics, work commitments, home setup, and existing experience when offering a match?
Good matching helps placements succeed. Poor matching can lead to breakdowns, which are distressing for both carers and children. A responsible agency will place a strong emphasis on thoughtful, well-informed decisions that take your preferences and abilities into account. This is not just about logistics — it’s about ensuring the best outcomes for everyone involved.
The best agencies treat matching as a two-way process, where your voice matters and your boundaries are respected.
What Training Is Provided — and How Often?
Training is a fundamental part of fostering. It’s what prepares you before your first placement and what helps you grow, adapt, and respond to the ever-changing needs of the children in your care. When speaking to a foster agency, it’s vital to ask about the type and frequency of training they offer.
You should find out whether pre-approval training is done in person, online, or a mix of both. You’ll also want to know what happens after approval. Does the agency provide mandatory ongoing training? Are there opportunities to specialise in areas like trauma-informed care, autism awareness, or parent and child placements? Is refresher training required regularly?
An agency that prioritises training is showing you that they take quality of care seriously — and that they’re invested in your development as a foster carer. Training should never feel like a tick-box exercise. Instead, it should equip you with the confidence and skills to handle challenges and help children flourish.
How Are Foster Carers Involved in the Child’s Care Plan?
Being a foster carer means working as part of a team. Children in care will often have a range of professionals around them, including social workers, therapists, teachers, and sometimes birth family members. A good foster agency will include you in the child’s care planning and value your observations, insights, and everyday experiences.
Ask the agency what involvement you’ll have in reviews, meetings, and decision-making processes. Will you be kept informed about developments in the child’s case? Will you have opportunities to attend meetings or contribute feedback to the local authority?
Foster carers are on the front line — you’re the one living with the child day-to-day — so your input is hugely important. Agencies that recognise this role and advocate for their carers are the ones who see fostering as a true partnership. The answer to this question will tell you a lot about how much respect and value the agency places on your contribution.
What Happens If a Placement Breaks Down?
Placement breakdowns are something no one wants to think about, but it’s important to be realistic. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a fostering arrangement doesn’t work out. When this happens, the support and response from your agency makes a massive difference.
Ask how they handle placement breakdowns. What steps are taken to support you and the child? Is there an opportunity to debrief or access additional support? How are transitions managed if a child needs to move on?
Good agencies won’t brush this off. They’ll be upfront about how they minimise the risk of breakdowns through good matching and preparation, and they’ll explain what processes they have in place should things become unmanageable. You’ll also want to know whether a placement breakdown affects your status as a carer — the right agency won’t hold it against you, but will help you reflect and grow from the experience.
These are difficult conversations, but important ones. A transparent response is a good sign of a supportive agency.
What Is the Financial Support or Allowance?
Fostering is a commitment, not a job. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be compensated fairly. Foster carers are entitled to a fostering allowance, which covers the cost of caring for a child — things like food, clothing, school supplies, travel, and other essentials — as well as a reward element for your time and effort.
It’s important to ask any agency you speak with how much financial support you’ll receive. Different agencies offer different rates depending on the type of placement, the child’s needs, and the agency’s own structure. You should also ask about payment terms, whether allowances continue during holidays or between placements, and if you’ll receive any tax guidance.
A good agency will explain things clearly and will help you understand how fostering fits in with your broader financial picture. They should never make money the focus — but they should also never leave you in the dark about how it works.
What Makes You Different from Other Agencies?
This may seem like a broad or even cheeky question, but it’s actually one of the most revealing. It gives the agency a chance to tell you what they truly care about, how they support their carers, and why they do what they do.
You’re looking for more than buzzwords here. Listen to how they talk about their carers, their staff, and the children they work with. Are they genuinely passionate about making a difference, or does it feel like a sales pitch? Do they sound like they’d be there for you in a crisis, or are they focused only on recruitment?
The best agencies know exactly who they are and what they stand for. They’ll be open about their strengths and transparent about their expectations. Trust your instincts during this conversation. If it feels right — and they seem genuinely interested in you — then you may have found the right fit.
Take Your Time and Ask Away
Choosing a foster agency isn’t something to rush. You’re not just signing up for a service — you’re joining a team, forming a partnership, and trusting someone to walk with you through a life-changing experience. Asking these types of questions shows that you’re serious, committed, and thoughtful — all qualities that make for a great foster carer.
At the same time, it gives you the power to make an informed decision, rather than one based on a glossy brochure or a polished website. Take notes, ask follow-up questions, and don’t be afraid to speak to more than one agency. You’ll quickly get a feel for who aligns best with your values and who will truly have your back once the journey begins.
