Preston and Lancashire have a significant number of children in care, and the need for foster carers across the county continues to grow. Whether you live in the city centre, Fulwood, Penwortham, Leyland, Chorley, Bamber Bridge, Longridge or Garstang, there are local and national fostering agencies ready to support you on your journey.
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Lancashire is one of the largest counties in England and has over 2,100 looked-after children. Preston, as the county's administrative centre, is at the heart of fostering services across the region. The demand for foster carers continues to grow year on year, and there is a particular need for people who can support teenagers, sibling groups and children with additional needs.
Whether you are in Preston or across wider Lancashire including Chorley, Leyland, Burnley, Blackburn, Lancaster or Blackpool, 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 Preston and across Lancashire so you can find the right fit for you and your family. All enquiries are free, confidential and without obligation.
Urgent need for foster carers across LancashireCompare local authority and independent agencies100% free, no obligation enquiryCompare Ofsted-registered fostering agencies covering Preston and Lancashire
Specialist foster care across Lancashire with therapeutic placements and comprehensive carer support. Dedicated social workers and 24/7 helpline.
Enquire NowHigh-quality foster placements across Lancashire with a focus on stability, matching and long-term outcomes for children and young people.
Enquire NowPreston-based agency offering generous allowances, small social worker caseloads and tailored training programmes for new and experienced carers.
Enquire NowSupporting foster families across Lancashire with specialist teen placements, parent and child fostering, and emergency care. Weekly peer support groups.
Enquire NowTherapeutic fostering agency with offices in Preston and Lancaster. Trauma-informed care, attachment-focused training and dedicated clinical support for carers.
Enquire NowLancashire's own fostering service with direct links to local schools, health services and community support. Recruiting carers for children across the county.
Enquire NowFostering agencies in Preston cover the whole of Lancashire including towns and cities across the county
Lancashire has over 2,100 looked-after children and the need for foster carers continues to grow across the county, particularly for teenagers and sibling groups.
Independent agencies in Preston and Lancashire offer competitive weekly allowances, typically between £400 and £575, with most fostering income effectively tax-free.
Agencies across Preston and Lancashire provide dedicated social workers, out-of-hours helplines, peer support groups and regular supervision to help you succeed.
Preston is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Lancashire, and agencies actively seek carers from all backgrounds to better match children with families.
Agencies in Preston and Lancashire 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 Preston and Lancashire.
Foster carers in Preston 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 Preston and Lancashire range from £400 to £575, depending on the child's age, needs and placement type. Allowances vary between agencies, so comparing multiple agencies through Think Fostering can help you find the best package for your circumstances.
Tax-free income under Qualifying Care ReliefAverage £400–£575 per week across Lancashire IFAsCompare agencies to find the best total package
Find answers to the most common questions about fostering in Preston. 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.
Lancashire is one of the largest county councils in England and has over 2,100 looked-after children across the authority area. Preston, as the administrative centre, plays a key role in the delivery of fostering services for the region. Nationally, England had 81,770 children looked after on 31 March 2025.
Around 56,400 children were in foster care at the start of the 2024 to 2025 fostering reporting period. In practical terms, Lancashire needs carers across different home types and life stages, including people able to support older children and teenagers, sibling groups, and children with additional needs.
Over 2,100 looked-after children across LancashireEngland-wide, 81,770 children were looked after on 31 March 2025Around 56,400 children were in foster care at the start of 2024 to 2025Carers with different skills and home types are neededYou can foster directly with Lancashire County Council or with an independent fostering agency. Both options are Ofsted-regulated and can be the right choice depending on what you need. Local authority fostering connects you closely to local planning and services, while IFAs may offer higher allowances, smaller caseloads and specialist therapeutic models.
The best approach is to compare how support works in practice. Ask about supervising social worker caseloads, out-of-hours advice, training pathways, respite, and how the agency supports you when placements are challenging. Pay matters, but day-to-day support often matters more for long-term sustainability.
Both routes are Ofsted-regulatedCompare supervision, training, respite and out-of-hours supportLancashire County Council runs its own fostering serviceSpeak to several providers and judge responsivenessFostering payments in Preston depend on the provider, the child's age and needs, and the type of fostering you are approved to do. Independent agencies across Lancashire typically pay between £400 and £575 per week, while local authority rates may differ. Most fostering income is effectively tax-free under HMRC Qualifying Care Relief.
When comparing agencies, look at the total package including the weekly allowance, skills-based fee, training provision, support and any additional payments for birthdays, holidays and equipment. A good agency should provide a written breakdown before you commit.
Independent agencies typically pay £400–£575 per weekMost fostering income is tax-free under Qualifying Care ReliefPay varies by child age, needs and placement typeAsk for a written breakdown of all fees and allowancesAll types of fostering are in demand across Lancashire including short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child placements, and specialist therapeutic care. There is a particular need for carers who can support teenagers, as the largest cohort of children in care across the region is aged 10 and over.
Lancashire also needs carers who can support sibling groups, children with complex emotional or behavioural needs, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people. During your assessment you will discuss which types suit your skills and household.
All types of fostering are needed across LancashireParticular need for carers supporting teenagersSibling groups need to stay together where possibleYour approval terms will reflect your preferences and strengthsNo. You do not need to own your home to foster in Preston. What matters is that you have a stable living situation and that your home is suitable for a child, including adequate space, safety and privacy. You can foster if you own your home or are in a secure rental agreement.
If you rent, services will want to understand the security of your tenancy and whether you have landlord permission where required. A good agency will guide you through what is needed and will not expect perfection, just a safe and welcoming home.
You can foster whether you own or rentA dedicated spare bedroom is required for the foster childRenting may require tenancy and landlord checksHome suitability is discussed during assessmentStart with regulated sources. Fostering services in England are inspected by Ofsted, and you can search by location to view ratings and inspection history. This helps identify agencies with strong leadership, training and outcomes for children.
You can also use comparison directories like Think Fostering to shortlist Ofsted-rated providers in Preston and Lancashire. A practical approach is to shortlist three to five providers, speak to each one, and ask the same questions about supervision, out-of-hours support, training, respite and placement matching.
Use Ofsted reports to verify registration and ratingsConsider the Lancashire County Council routeUse a directory to shortlist multiple providersCompare support, not just fees, by asking consistent questionsThere is no single fixed number, because agencies can operate across multiple local authority areas and change their coverage over time. The most reliable way to get an up-to-date view is to use the Ofsted provider search for fostering services and filter by location.
Preston includes access to Lancashire County Council's fostering service plus multiple independent fostering agencies with North West coverage. Focus on quality signals like Ofsted ratings and inspection history, then contact a shortlist for direct conversations.
Use Ofsted provider search for the most accurate countPreston includes the LA service and multiple IFAsNumbers change, so focus on quality and inspection historyShortlist and compare based on support and responsivenessThousands of children across Lancashire 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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