What’s the difference in fostering with a private/independent agency or HSC NI Foster Care?

So you’re considering fostering, but what next?

You may not realise that you can foster with either your local Trust (ie us at HSC NI Foster Care) or an independent/private agency (IFA). While we can often work together to support children in care, there are a number of significant differences in how we each operate.

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Operating across all five Trust areas, HSC NI Foster Care is the corporate parent with statutory responsibility for the welfare of all looked-after children and young people in Northern Ireland. This means that independent agencies come to us to secure the children requiring care to be matched with their pool of foster carers.

Making HSC NI Foster Care your first port of call for fostering means you are going direct, where we are better placed to match children based on their individual needs.

We can match foster carers with children from your local community, offering stability for the child in what is already a time of change, as well as less disruption for you in terms of managing their school, extra-curricular or family commitments. Unfortunately, this can’t always be guaranteed in other settings.

What’s more, we can also offer ongoing fostering opportunities without any long gaps or breaks in your fostering role.

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HSC NI Foster Care operates on a non-profit basis ensuring all resources are directly allocated to family and childcare services to benefit children and young people.

Independent agencies can sometimes provide useful services to enhance our work such as placements for older children, those with more complex needs or when we have exhausted our pool of foster carers, however using independent agencies can be costly.

Independent agencies can promote a generous financial package, specifying sums of money which may appear more attractive to prospective foster carers initially. However, in reality, you might be better off with HSC NI Foster Care.

Whilst we provide a standard allowance, we also offer a number of additional payments to cover other costs eg mileage, school uniforms and expenses, equipment or furniture, childcare (where appropriate), and enhancements to support school trips and holidays.

You may also receive extra financial support or specialist fees based on a child’s specific needs.

With an independent agency, you will need to cover these expenses yourself once you have received your monthly flat rate.

The added extras you receive at HSC NI Foster Care really do add up.

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The range of fostering opportunities available at HSC NI Foster Care means that we can provide an arrangement that best works for you and your lifestyle, including short breaks, emergency foster care, supported lodgings/STAY, or longer-term care.

Some private/independent agencies can have additional stipulations which might limit the opportunities open to you.

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Both independent agencies and HSC NI Foster Care offer comprehensive training and support designed to empower in your role as a foster carer. We deliver training in your local area, attended by foster carers from your community so you can learn whilst also connecting with peers and building your support network.

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Fostering is a big decision so it’s important to do your research beforehand to consider all your options.