1. The Local Authority can sometimes find it difficult to place certain children, so they approach local independent agencies for a placement for them. Independent agencies have a wider range of vacancies for longer term placements.

2. The Local Authority can be a faster-paced way of fostering. If you are looking to take children for short-term placements this can be great, and your spare room won’t be empty for long. This is beneficial for people who want to foster as a full-time job as you are more likely to have a continuous income. If you are looking to work and foster, while possible, this can become a stressful way of living. Independent agencies have a range of different placement types such as long-term, respite, and short-term or parent and child/mother and baby. This way bonds are built, and routines can be made for both you and the child in placement.

3. People often wonder who pays more, your Local Authority, or an independent agency. The pay you get from fostering will always differ throughout your fostering journey. How many children you have in your home and the needs they require will affect your fostering income. This is partly because you can foster children with disabilities who require additional support and provision of specialist equipment can attract a higher rate of pay, as can parent and baby placements, and in some cases you can have multiple unrelated children in your care, depending on your situation.

4. Independent Agencies cover wider areas than a Local Authority. Many agencies cover locations across the UK, but Local Authorities tend to only cover local areas and are council-based. As there are wider areas being covered by an independent agency, they can take enquiries from families from across the UK.