Local Authorities
Information especially for Local
Authorities and referring agencies
Lika Family Fostering is an independent therapeutic foster care agency operating across London in the United Kingdom. We want every foster carer, and every foster child, to have an outstanding experience.
At Lika, every decision we make as an agency, as social workers and as foster carers, is based on the principles of Systemic Family Therapy — the idea that understanding what influences the way a young person acts and thinks, and responding with the right techniques, can lead to positive life changes.
We work collaboratively with most of Local Authorities across the Greater London area.
Lika is rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
LEARN MORE
We offer a range of placement options to Local Authorities across Greater London.
Local Authorities
Information especially for Local
Authorities and referring agencies
Lika Family Fostering is an independent therapeutic foster care agency operating across London in the United Kingdom. We want every foster carer, and every foster child, to have an outstanding experience.
At Lika, every decision we make as an agency, as social workers and as foster carers, is based on the principles of Systemic Family Therapy — the idea that understanding what influences the way a young person acts and thinks, and responding with the right techniques, can lead to positive life changes.
We work collaboratively with most of Local Authorities across the Greater London area.
LEARN MORE
We offer a range of placement options to Local Authorities across Greater London.
Local
Authorities
Information especially for Local
and referring agencies
At Lika, systemic principles don’t just guide our approach to foster care, they shape every single decision we make as a business, as an agency and as a management team.
Lika Family Fostering is an independent therapeutic foster care agency operating across London and in the North West of England. We want every foster carer, and every foster child, to have an outstanding experience.
At Lika, every decision we make as an agency, as social workers and as foster carers, is based on the principles of Systemic Family Therapy — the idea that understanding what influences the way a young person acts and thinks, and responding with the right techniques, can lead to positive life changes.
We work collaboratively with most of Local Authorities across the Greater London and the North West.
LEARN MORE
We offer a range of placement options to Local Authorities across Greater London and the North West
Long-term Placements
Short
Breaks
Chronically Ill Young People
Short-term Placements
Bridging Placements
Young People
Aged 16+
Emergency Placements
Disabled Young People
Staying Put Arrangements
What Professionals say
“Local authority social workers, independent reviewing officers and commissioners consistently say that they have great confidence in the fostering agency’s ability to provide children with safe, secure and stable foster care. A local authority social worker told the inspector, ‘The placement has been very effective. The carer has been an excellent match. My young person has a deep sense of connection; deep relational attachment to the family.’
Ofsted Report 2023
Packages of
placement support
Lika can offer a range of therapeutic packaged support for placements. These are either Standard or Enhanced packages from level 1 to 4, depending on complexity, risk and need. Lika also offers a Staying Put Specialist package of support.
All costings and contracts are in line with London Care Services at London Councils, South London Commissioning Partnership and the West London Alliance.
- Dual qualified supervising social workers
- Systemic Psychotherapists
- Support workers
- Respite
- Family Supervision
- Enhanced Network Meetings – facilitated by one of our Psychotherapists
- Life Story Work
- Specialist Training to meet the need of the placement
- Targeted Clinical Interventions undertaken by Lika’s therapeutic team
- The Local Authority Social Worker is able to attend any training linked to their young person’s placement.
What our carers say
“Leaders and managers encourage staff to share ideas, question practice and learn together without fear of blame. This reflective culture strengthens professional curiosity and contributes to continuous improvement across the agency.”
“Leaders and managers develop strong and constructive relationships with placing authorities, host authorities and a wide range of partner agencies.”
FEEDBACK SURVEY 2025
Our Promise
Complete transparency in all communications
A thoughtful & risk-sensitive matching process
Risk assessment & monitoring of 47 areas of physical & emotional need
Stable & committed
agency leadership
Evidenced-based
interventions
Collaborative & consistent approach to working with Local Authorities
Dual qualified social workers with manageable caseloads
Extensive training & support for carers and their network
Fostering assessments are robust & undertaken by dual qualified practitioners
Our Approach
to Matching
Our matching is carefully
considered & robust
As a therapeutic agency, Lika uses a matching process that is evidence- and practice-based, to ensure the right support for children and their carers at every stage of the matching process. We only accept placements that are within our skill range.
The assessment, and management of risk, are the heart of matching and this guides our therapeutic planning to support the placement. After reviewing the initial risk assessment completed by the Local Authority social worker, we have discussions with the Local Authority social work team, any current foster carers or residential care staff, educational provision and therapeutic professionals involved with the young person.
We corroborate and assess the needs of the young person with the identified foster carer through a comprehensive matching support plan, which can be offered in the following areas:
- Strengths and vulnerabilities
- What is to be achieved in the placement, and what change will look like
- The support needed for both stability and change
- A transition plan based on the agreed level of support.
Consultation with our therapeutic team and clinical input are offered during the matching process for more complex placements
What Ofsted says
“Leaders and managers encourage staff to share ideas, question practice and learn together without fear of blame. This reflective culture strengthens professional curiosity and contributes to continuous improvement across the agency.”
“Leaders and managers develop strong and constructive relationships with placing authorities, host authorities and a wide range of partner agencies.”
OFSTED REPORT 2026
Information about Lika Family Fostering
RESOURCE
Lika’s Approach, Method, Technique
We use an evidenced based practice and systemic family therapy ideas to guide practice and improve outcomes for children. Our vision is to create a fostering service which trains and supports foster carers to become skilled professionals in their own right
RESOURCE
Lika Statement of Purpose
This statement of purpose has been developed in accordance with the current legal framework for fostering services in England, including The Children Act 1989, 2004, The Fostering Services Guidance and Regulations and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services.
RESOURCE
Lika Ofsted Inspection 2026
Lika are regulated by Ofsted to ensure we adhere to the National Minimum Fostering Standards (2011) and other relevant legislation, ensuring that children are safe and well cared for by Lika foster carers.
Information about Lika Family Fostering
RESOURCE
Lika’s Approach, Method, Technique
We use an evidenced based practice and systemic family therapy ideas to guide practice and improve outcomes for children. Our vision is to create a fostering service which trains and supports foster carers to become skilled professionals in their own right.
RESOURCE
Lika Statement of Purpose
This statement of purpose has been developed in accordance with the current legal framework for fostering services in England, including The Children Act 1989, 2004, The Fostering Services Guidance and Regulations and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services.
RESOURCE
Lika Ofsted Inspection 2023
Lika are regulated by Ofsted to ensure we adhere to the National Minimum Fostering Standards (2011) and other relevant legislation, ensuring that children are safe and well cared for by Lika foster carers.
Next Steps
If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with our Finance and Strategic Lead, Linda Hill.
Next Steps
If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with our Finance and Strategic Lead, Linda Hill.
