This page lists independent fostering agencies working across the South East of England, covering Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and the surrounding areas. Compare agencies side by side and find the one that feels right for your family.
The Need for Foster Carers in the South East
The South East has a lower rate of children in care than northern regions, but that does not mean the need is small. With a large population spread across counties like Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Hampshire, the actual numbers of children who need foster placements are substantial.
Nationally, nearly 84,000 children are in care across England at any one time. Many of those children are in the South East, placed in foster families across commuter towns, coastal communities, and rural villages. The challenge in this region is often geographical – matching children to carers within reasonable distances of their birth families and schools.
A Region of Contrasts
The South East is a genuinely varied region. It includes some of the most affluent areas in England alongside pockets of significant deprivation, particularly in parts of Kent, coastal Essex, and Hampshire. The need for foster carers runs across all of these communities.
There is also a specific context in parts of Kent, which sees significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arriving and needing urgent placements. Some agencies in this region specialise in supporting this group, and carers who can offer stability and cultural sensitivity to young people navigating extremely difficult circumstances are in particular demand.
Independent Agencies vs Local Authority Fostering
As across all of England, you can choose to foster through your local council or through an independent fostering agency. Both routes are regulated by Ofsted. Both produce excellent outcomes for children.
Independent agencies in the South East vary in size from large national organisations with regional offices to smaller, locally-focused agencies. The advantages of independent agencies include more personalised supervision, higher allowances in many cases, and access to specialist training. Local authority fostering tends to focus on keeping children placed within familiar local communities.
What Does Good Support Look Like Here?
In a large and spread-out region like the South East, the quality of support can vary significantly between agencies. A supervising social worker based two counties away is not the same as one who can be at your door within the hour.
When comparing agencies, ask directly about your supervising social worker's location and caseload. Ask how often they will visit in person. Ask what out-of-hours support looks like and whether it is genuinely responsive. The answers will tell you more than any glossy brochure.
Could You Foster in the South East?
The eligibility criteria are the same across England. You need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom, and have the right to live and work in the UK. You do not need to own your home, be in a couple, or have a specific professional background.
People across the South East who have raised their own families, worked with young people, or simply feel they have something meaningful to offer a child are well placed to explore fostering. Geographic location is rarely a barrier – rural areas can provide exactly the kind of calm, stable environment that some children need most.
Types of Fostering in the South East
Short-term fostering is the most common starting point, covering placements of weeks or months. Long-term fostering provides a permanent family. Emergency fostering requires availability at very short notice. Short breaks fostering offers regular planned care for another family's child. Parent and child fostering supports a young parent alongside their baby. Therapeutic fostering is a specialist area for children with more complex trauma histories.
Some South East agencies also specialise in caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, which requires specific skills and training.
Finding Your Agency
Browse the agencies listed below, compare their Ofsted ratings and specialisms, and reach out to those that interest you. The first conversation is always informal and carries no commitment.