Birmingham is the largest city outside London and has the highest number of looked-after children of any local authority in England. Whether you live in the city centre, Erdington, Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Moseley, Kings Heath, Handsworth, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Perry Barr or further across the West Midlands, there are local and national fostering agencies ready to support you.
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Birmingham is England’s second city and the largest local authority in the country with a population of over 1.1 million. The city has the highest number of looked-after children of any single local authority in England, and the demand for foster carers is urgent and ongoing, particularly for people who can support teenagers, sibling groups, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and those with additional needs.
Whether you are in the city centre or the surrounding areas of Erdington, Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Handsworth or Sutton Coldfield, there are both local authority and independent fostering agencies operating in your area. Independent agencies often offer higher allowances, more training and dedicated one-to-one support.
Think Fostering helps you compare fostering agencies in Birmingham and across the West Midlands so you can find the right fit for you and your family. All enquiries are free, confidential and without obligation.
Highest number of LAC of any local authority in EnglandCompare local authority and independent agencies100% free, no obligation enquiryCompare Ofsted-registered fostering agencies covering Birmingham and the West Midlands
Specialist foster care across the West Midlands with therapeutic placements and comprehensive carer support. Dedicated social workers and 24/7 helpline.
Enquire NowHigh-quality foster placements across the West Midlands with a focus on stability, matching and long-term outcomes for children and young people.
Enquire NowBirmingham-based agency offering generous allowances, small social worker caseloads and tailored training programmes for new and experienced carers.
Enquire NowSupporting foster families across Birmingham with specialist teen placements, parent and child fostering, and emergency care. Weekly peer support groups.
Enquire NowTherapeutic fostering agency with offices in Birmingham and Coventry. Trauma-informed care, attachment-focused training and dedicated clinical support for carers.
Enquire NowBirmingham’s own fostering service — the largest local authority fostering service in England — with direct links to local schools, health services and community support.
Enquire NowFostering agencies in Birmingham cover the city and surrounding areas of the West Midlands
Birmingham has the highest number of looked-after children of any local authority in England and the need for foster carers is urgent, particularly for teenagers, sibling groups and UASC.
Independent agencies in Birmingham offer competitive weekly allowances, typically between £450 and £860, with most fostering income effectively tax-free under Qualifying Care Relief.
Agencies across Birmingham provide dedicated social workers, out-of-hours helplines, peer support groups and regular supervision to help you succeed.
Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, and agencies actively recruit carers from all backgrounds, cultures, faiths and family structures to match children’s needs.
Agencies in Birmingham offer comprehensive induction programmes, specialist training and ongoing professional development to build your skills and confidence.
From emergency and short-term through to long-term and specialist therapeutic care, all types are in demand across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Foster carers in Birmingham receive a weekly allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child, plus a skills-based fee that reflects your experience and training. Most fostering income is effectively tax-free under HMRC Qualifying Care Relief.
Average weekly fostering payments across independent agencies in Birmingham and the West Midlands range from roughly £450 to £860 per week per child, with higher payments for older children or specialist placements. Some agencies also provide extra payments for birthdays, festivals and holidays. Comparing through Think Fostering can help you find the best package.
Tax-free income under Qualifying Care ReliefAverage £450–£860 per week across West Midlands IFAsCompare agencies to find the best total package
Find answers to the most common questions about fostering in Birmingham. For more detailed information, visit our FAQs page or get in touch to speak with an agency directly — all enquiries are free and without obligation.
Birmingham has the highest number of looked-after children of any single local authority in England. Across the wider West Midlands there are over 8,000 children in care. Nationally, around 67% of looked-after children live with foster carers, with roughly 54,800 in foster placements on 31 March 2025.
Birmingham continues to recruit carers because maintaining local placements helps children stay connected to their communities, schools and support networks. The council works actively with independent fostering agencies to meet demand across the city.
Birmingham has the highest number of LAC of any LA in EnglandNationally, about 67% of looked-after children live in foster careRoughly 54,800 children in foster placements across EnglandContinued recruitment helps keep children near family, friends and schoolChoosing to foster with Birmingham City Council or with an independent fostering agency depends on the kind of support, structure and matching approach you prefer. Fostering directly with the council means you work within the local children’s services team and may be prioritised for local placements, with direct access to community resources, educational and health professionals.
IFAs are regulated by Ofsted just like local authorities, and many offer strong support systems with their own training, social work teams and out-of-hours services. The most practical way to decide is to speak to a few different providers and ask about support, training, supervision, respite arrangements and how placements are matched to carers’ strengths.
Local authority fostering connects you directly with local care plannersIndependent agencies offer regulated support, training and social work teamsBirmingham City Council runs the largest LA fostering service in EnglandCompare support models, training and placement matching before decidingFoster carer payments in Birmingham vary depending on the provider, the child’s age and individual needs, and whether you are approved through the local authority or an IFA. All foster carers receive weekly allowances to cover the cost of caring for a child, including food, clothing, pocket money and other day-to-day costs.
IFAs across the West Midlands often publish allowances ranging from roughly £450 to £860 per week per child, with higher payments for older children or specialist placements, and sometimes extra payments for birthdays, festivals and holidays. The UK government publishes minimum weekly fostering allowance bands; for 2025–26 a child aged 5–10 has a minimum of about £194 and older teens £258–£267.
All carers receive a weekly fostering allowance to cover the cost of careLocal authority fees may include a skills-based professional elementIndependent agencies often publish allowances of £450–£860+ per weekGovernment minimum allowances vary by child age and regionBirmingham needs foster carers across a range of fostering types. The city has a particular need for carers who can support teenagers, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, sibling groups and children with additional emotional or behavioural needs.
Respite care and short-notice emergency care are also commonly needed. Carers from Birmingham’s diverse communities, including those who speak additional languages or have experience of different faiths and cultures, are especially valued.
Teenagers, UASC and sibling groups are in high demandSibling placements and short-term care are part of local demandSpecialist carers for emotional or behavioural support are valuableCarers from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds are especially valuedNo, you do not need to own your home to foster in Birmingham. What matters is that you have a secure and stable home environment with a spare bedroom suitable for a child or young person, including space for their personal bed and belongings.
Renting is usually acceptable provided the tenancy is secure and you can demonstrate that the foster child will have their own space and safety. Stability and suitability of the home are central to fostering approval, not ownership status itself.
Home ownership is not required to fosterYou need a secure home with a spare bedroom suitable for a childRenting is normally acceptable where tenancy is stableStability and suitability are central to approval, not ownershipStart by using Ofsted’s provider search, which lists registered fostering services and their inspection reports so you can compare quality and ratings. You can search by location and the category “Fostering” to see all agencies that work in or near Birmingham.
You can also contact Birmingham City Council’s fostering team directly for local authority options. Fostering comparison sites like Think Fostering allow you to filter by area and build a shortlist. Speak with agencies about support, training, supervision and placement approaches to judge which is the right fit.
Use Ofsted’s search to find registered fostering agencies near BirminghamContact Birmingham City Council’s fostering team for LA optionsCompare support, training, matching and inspection ratingsUse directories like Think Fostering to filter by areaThe West Midlands has over 60 fostering providers and Birmingham, as the largest local authority, is served by a significant number of these. The city includes Birmingham City Council’s own fostering service plus numerous independent agencies with city-wide and regional coverage.
The most reliable way to get an up-to-date view is to use the Ofsted provider search and filter by location. A practical approach is to compare all relevant providers based on their support offers, inspection ratings and local presence.
Birmingham is served by numerous IFAs and the council’s own serviceUse Ofsted’s provider search to see who accepts carers in BirminghamMany IFAs cover multiple local authorities including BirminghamCompare all relevant agencies covering BirminghamThousands of children across Birmingham and the West Midlands need safe, loving homes. Take the first step today — compare agencies, ask questions, and find the right fit for your family.
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