Guidance

Register an independent fostering agency: guidance for applicants

How to register with Ofsted and apply to open, manage, or be associated with an independent fostering agency.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 11 November 2014
• Last updated: 28 November 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 28 November 2025

     Independent fostering agencies guidance updated. The guidance is now organised into 4 clear sections: - Independent fostering agencies registration policy - Apply to register an independent fostering agency - Apply to be associated with an independent fostering agency - Responsibilities of providers and managers in Ofsted-registered independent fostering agencies

  2. 24 May 2024

     Removed the need for a financial reference, following a change in legislation.

  3. 22 February 2021

     Revised throughout for clarity.

  4. 11 November 2014

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Independent fostering agencies registration policy

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Apply to register an independent fostering agency

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Apply to be associated with an independent fostering agency

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Responsibilities of providers and managers in Ofsted-registered independent fostering agencies

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Details

This guidance explains the policies and registration requirements Ofsted uses to assess your application to run a independent fostering agency.

It also outlines what to expect after your independent fostering agency is registered.