Ofsted URN: SC448211 · Type: Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) · Ofsted Grade: Good · Last Inspected: 04 March 2025

Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering — 2026/27 Fostering Allowance, HMRC HS236 Tax-Free Pay & Ofsted Benchmark (SC448211)

Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering (Darlington DL3) is registered with Ofsted under URN SC448211 with an inspection rating of Good [4]. In North West, the 2026/27 statutory GOV.UK National Minimum Allowance is £227/wk (ages 11–15 maintenance only) [1], while Ofsted Good and Outstanding Independent Fostering Agencies pay an average of £485/wk tax-free (£25,220/yr tax-free under HMRC HS236 [2] = £30,139/yr gross PAYE salary equivalent [6]).

2026/27 Pay & Tax-Free Breakdown for Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering (North West)

Benchmark Metric (2026/27 Cycle) Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering / Regional Baseline North West Ofsted Good/Outstanding IFA Avg
Ofsted Registration & Grade [4] URN SC448211 (Good — View Official Ofsted Report) Good / Outstanding (4.8★ Carer Support Benchmark)
Weekly Carer Package (1 Child 11+) £485/wk (Regional IFA Benchmark) £485/wk (Allowance + Professional Fee)
Annual Tax-Free Income (52 Weeks) [2] £25,220/yr (£0 Tax under HS236) £25,220/yr (Inside £45,430/yr QCR Ceiling)
Equivalent Gross 9-to-5 PAYE Salary [6] £30,139/yr £30,139/yr
LA Commissioning Fee Share (CMA Report [3]) 59% of ~£820/wk LA fee 59% passed to foster household

28-Day Regulation 28(13) Transfer, New Carer Matching & Next Steps for Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering

Under Regulation 28(13) of The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and Section 4.3 of The Fostering Network Transfer Protocol [5], approved foster carers with Beta North Ltd trading as Evolve Fostering can explore transferring to a 4.8★ Carer-Rated IFA in North West confidentially. Where a child is settled in placement, the Local Authority and receiving agency coordinate a Simultaneous Panel Day so the child remains safely at home with you and your higher £485/wk allowance starts without a single day’s gap.

Compare Nearby Ofsted Good & Outstanding IFAs in North West

Verified Primary Statutory & Market Sources (2026/27)

  1. [1] GOV.UK NMA 2026/27 (Department for Education): Statutory National Minimum Fostering Allowance (6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027) is £227/wk (Rest of England), £255/wk (South East), and £266/wk (London) for ages 11–15 (full age 0–17 range £176–£309/wk) covering child maintenance only. Official GOV.UK Source
  2. [2] HMRC Helpsheet HS236 (ITTOIA 2005 Part 7 Chapter 2): Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) exempts £19,690/yr fixed household relief plus £415/wk (child under 11) and £495/wk (child 11+) from UK Income Tax (£45,430/yr tax-free ceiling for 1 child aged 11+). Official HMRC HS236 Source
  3. [3] CMA Children’s Social Care Market Study (March 2022 Final Report): Reported an average weekly price paid by Local Authorities for an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) placement of £820/wk (~£820–£910/wk across 2026/27 regional frameworks) with 19.4% average private IFA operating margins. Official CMA Source
  4. [4] Ofsted Social Care Register (491 Fostering Services) & National Statistics: Official inspection directory of 343 Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) and 148 Local Authorities in England (covering 42,190 fostering households & 56,345 approved foster carers). Official Ofsted Source
  5. [5] SI 2011/581 Regulation 28(13) & The Fostering Network Transfer Protocol: Statutory 28-day harmonised agency transfer procedure protecting settled child placements under Section 4.3 Welfare Continuity. Official Legislation.gov.uk Source
  6. [6] DfE National Minimum Standards (NMS 2011) & UK PAYE Equivalence: Standards NMS 15.1 (Safe Matching), NMS 20 (Carer Training), NMS 21.6/21.8 & Reg 17 (SSW Caseloads, 24/7 Support & Paid Respite), NMS 22.9 (LADO Support), NMS 26.2 (Carer Records), and NMS 28.1 (45p/mi Mileage & Allowances). Gross PAYE salary equivalent uses £12,570 Personal Allowance (0%) + 28% combined Basic Rate Tax (20%) & Employee Class 1 NI (8%).