Fostering in Kent and Medway
Foster with an independent, carer-led agency based in Faversham, with local support across the whole county.
Kent and Medway have a constant need for new foster carers. Every week, children and young people across the county need a safe place to call home, from toddlers entering care for the first time to teenagers and young people who have arrived in the UK alone through Dover and the Kent ports.
Lighthouse Fostering is an independent fostering agency based at Quayside House in Faversham. We recruit and support foster carers right across Kent and Medway, from Dartford and Gravesend to Canterbury, Thanet, Folkestone, Ashford, Maidstone and the Medway Towns.
We were started by foster carers and care leavers, so we know first-hand what good support looks like. We're not owned by a large corporate group, and our independent foster carer forum has a real say in how the agency is run. It's a genuinely personal service: you'll know our team, and our team will know you and your family.
Because we're local, your training, support groups and social worker visits happen close to home. Every carer is also offered our 12-week therapeutic parenting course, giving you the confidence to help children who have experienced trauma feel safe and settled.
Ready to find out more? Call our Kent team on 01227 250096, our Medway team on 01634 562074, or request a call back. We're always happy to come to you for an informal chat.
Who can foster in Kent?
There's no such thing as a typical foster carer. Our carers in Kent include couples and single people, homeowners and renters, parents and people without children, and people from every background. What matters is that you're usually over 21, have a spare bedroom and can offer a child stability, patience and care. Read more about fostering as a single person.
How much are foster carers paid in Kent and Medway?
With Lighthouse, you could receive up to £40,040 a year for each child you care for, or up to £49,660 a year as a specialist parent and child carer. Our Reward Pathway adds extra weekly payments as your skills and experience grow, and HMRC Qualifying Care Relief means most carers pay little or no tax on their fostering income. See our pay and allowances.
Which parts of Kent do you cover?
We cover the whole of Kent and Medway: North Kent (Swale, Gravesham and Dartford), East Kent (Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Thanet, Dover and Deal), South Kent (Ashford, Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh), West Kent (Maidstone, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells) and Medway (Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Rainham and Strood).
Foster carer pay and allowances in Kent
Fostering is a profession, and we reward it properly. Lighthouse foster carers in Kent and Medway could receive up to £40,040 a year per child, rising to £49,660 a year for specialist parent and child placements.
As your experience grows, our Reward Pathway adds extra weekly payments in recognition of your training, skills and years of service. Most carers also pay little or no tax thanks to HMRC Qualifying Care Relief.
On top of your fostering allowance, you'll receive 20 days of paid respite a year, birthday and holiday payments, school clothing support and free FosterTalk membership.
The types of fostering most needed in Kent
We match every child carefully with the family best placed to meet their needs. In Kent, we're especially looking for carers who can offer:
- Homes for teenagers, who often wait longest for a foster family.
- Placements for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, many of whom first arrive in the county.
- Sibling placements, so brothers and sisters can grow up together.
- Parent and child fostering, supporting young parents to care for their babies.
- Short-term, long-term, emergency and short break fostering, depending on what suits your family.
North Kent
Our head office is in Faversham, so North Kent is right on our doorstep. We support foster carers throughout Swale, including Faversham, Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey, as well as Gravesend, Northfleet, Dartford and Swanley. Carers here benefit from quick access to our office, local support groups and training close to home.
Fostering in North Kent
East Kent
From the historic city of Canterbury to the coastal towns of Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Dover and Deal, East Kent is home to many children who need foster families. Our carers here play a vital role, including caring for young people who have recently arrived in the UK through Dover.
Fostering in East Kent
South Kent
We're looking for foster carers across Ashford, Folkestone, Hythe, New Romney and the villages of Romney Marsh. Whether you live in a busy town or a rural village, you'll have a dedicated social worker and local training, so distance is never a barrier to great support.
Fostering in South Kent
West Kent
West Kent covers Maidstone, the county town, along with Tonbridge, West Malling, Sevenoaks and Royal Tunbridge Wells. Foster carers across the area help children stay connected to their schools and communities while they're in care, with our team on hand to support you every step of the way.
Fostering in West Kent
Medway
Medway is one of the largest urban areas in the South East, taking in Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Rainham and Strood. Medway Council is a separate local authority from Kent, and many local children need foster homes close to where they grew up. Call our Medway team directly on 01634 562074.
Fostering in Medway