Fostering in Kent

Kent has one of the largest choices of fostering services in the South East. You can foster with Kent County Council, Medway Council, or with independent agencies across the county, from Medway and Maidstone to Canterbury, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells.

Fostering services in Kent

Fostering services in Kent:

• Kent County Council Fostering – Maidstone
• UK Fostering – Dartford – Bridge House, High St, Dartford DA1 1DJ
• The Homefinding and Fostering Agency – 67 College Rd, Maidstone ME15 6SX
• Silver Lining Fostering Agency Kent – 2nd floor, ms therapy center, bradbury house, KENT CT4 7DZ
• Pilgrims Corner Fostering Service – Highland Court Farm, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5HW
• Pilgrims Corner – Herne Bay (CT6 7GQ) – 5 The Links, Herne Bay CT6 7GQ
• Pilgrims Corner – Herne Bay (CT6 8JY) – 185 Sea St, Herne Bay CT6 8JY
• People Who Foster – Rochester – Unit 8 Watermill Wharf, Canal Rd, Rochester ME2 4DT
• People Who Foster – Bexhill-on-Sea – Unit 17 Napier House Elva Business Centre, Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 5BF
• Ownlife Fostering Limited – 3-5 Sandpit Rd, Dartford DA1 5BU
• Next Step Fostering Services – 41 Stone St, Faversham ME13 8PH
• Lighthouse fostering – Quayside House, Standard Quay, Faversham ME13 7BS
• ISP Fostering – Whitstable – Regent St, Whitstable CT5 1JD
• ISP Fostering – Teynham – Conyer Rd, Teynham, Sittingbourne ME9 9EA
• ISP Fostering – Rainham – The Old Church, High St, Rainham, Gillingham ME8 8AY
• ISP Fostering – East Sussex – Glengorse Estate, Garden Suite, Battle TN33 0TX
• Heath Farm Fostering – 144b King’s Rd, Herne Bay CT6 5AT
• Harbour Fostering – 185 Parrock St, Gravesend DA12 1EN
• Futures For Children Whitstable Fostering – John Wilson Business Park, Futures For Children Unit 123, Harvey Dr, Chestfield CT5 3QY
• Futures For Children – The Masters House, College Rd, Maidstone ME15 6YQ
• Fostering Together (children with disabilities) – Ashford – The Old Granary, Penstock Hall Farm, Canterbury Rd, East Brabourne, Ashford TN25 5LL
• Fostering Support Group Ltd – St Augustines College, 125 Canterbury Rd, Westgate-on-Sea CT8 8NL
• Fostering Outcomes – 1st Floor, Unit F1, Imperial Business Estate, West Mill, Gravesend DA11 0DL
• FosterCare UK – Sandwich – Innovation House, Discovery Park, Ramsgate Rd, Sandwich CT13 9ND
• FosterCare UK – Ashford – Newbury House, Court Lodge Farm, Hinxhill, Ashford TN25 5NR
• Following Whispers Family Consultancy Ltd – Manston Business Park, Investaco House, Unit 14 Invicta Way, Ramsgate CT12 5FD
• Flourish Fostering – The Cedars, Holborough Rd, Snodland ME6 5PL
• Family Matters Fostering – 1 Kings Way, Folkestone CT19 5EY
• Family Fostering Ltd – 2, Spratling Court Office Suites, Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5AN
• evolve Therapeutic Fostering Service – First Floor, Innovation House, Discovery Park, Ramsgate Rd, Sandwich CT13 9FF
• Ethelbert Children’s Services – 17 Leigh Rd, Newington, Ramsgate CT12 5EU
• Diverse Care UK Ltd – Quayside House, Quayside, Gillingham, Chatham ME4 4QZ
• Diagrama Fostering – SUITE 20, Kent Space, 6-8 Revenge Rd, Chatham ME5 8UD
• Credo Care Disability Foster Placements – 12 High St, Lydd, Romney Marsh TN29 9AJ
• Compass Fostering – West Malling – Suite 24, Business Park, 60 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4YE
• Compass Fostering – Hastings – Coleman House, Brook Way, Ivyhouse Ln, Hastings TN35 4NN
• Caldecott Fostering – Caldecott House, Ashford TN25 6SP
• By the Bridge with Cambian Fostering – Head Office – The Oast House, Wrens Rd, Borden, Sittingbourne ME9 8JE
• Blue Sky Fostering Kent – Forge House, Forge Ln, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4DT
• Barnardo’s Fostering, London and East and South East England – 128 London Rd, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells TN4 0PL
• Attachments Fostering – Lenvale House, 2 East St, Snodland ME6 5BA
• Anchor Foster Care Services Ltd – 69a Maidstone Rd, Chatham ME4 6DP
• ALL4U Fostering Ltd – Wood Farm, Burlings Ln, Knockholt, Sevenoaks TN14 7PF
• 365 Foster Care – 25A Pudding Ln, Maidstone ME14 1PA
• 360 Fostering Consultancy – Unit 7 Pickerhill Business Centre Smallhythe Road,, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7LZ

You can also browse all fostering agencies in the South East or see fostering in London.

What fostering is like in Kent

As a large county with busy ports, Kent cares for many children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, so carers are needed for teenagers as well as younger children.

Council or independent fostering agency?

Council fostering services work directly with the authority responsible for the child, and children are often placed close to home. Independent fostering agencies recruit and support carers on behalf of councils, often care for children with more complex needs, and may offer higher fees and extra support. Speak to more than one service before you decide.

How much do foster carers get paid?

Foster carers in the South East receive a higher national minimum allowance than most of England. For April 2026 to April 2027 the weekly minimums are:

• £195 for a child aged 0 to 2
• £203 for a child aged 3 to 4
• £223 for a child aged 5 to 10
• £255 for a child aged 11 to 15
• £298 for a young person aged 16 to 17

Most councils and agencies pay more than this, and many add a weekly fee for the carer’s skills.

For full 2026/27 rates across the UK, see How much do foster carers get paid?

How to become a foster carer

• Make an enquiry – a short, no-obligation chat with your chosen service.
• Home visit – a social worker visits to talk about fostering and your home.
• Training – a preparation course before or during your assessment.
• Assessment – a detailed assessment over a few months, including checks and references.
• Fostering panel – an independent panel recommends whether you are approved.

Fostering in Kent: FAQs

Do I need to own my home?

No – you can rent or own, but you will usually need a spare bedroom. See Can I foster if I don’t own my home?

Can I foster if I work full-time?

Sometimes, depending on the child’s age and needs. Read Can you foster if you work full-time?

Can single people foster?

Yes. You can foster whether you are single, married or in a relationship, LGBTQ+, and of any faith or none.

Learn more

Read our free fostering guide or browse fostering guides for other areas.