Find out about fostering

Being a foster carer means caring for a child as part of your family in your home.

You could foster a child for a single night or a number of years, even until the child is an adult.

The length of time a child stays with you will depend on the needs of the child and the type of fostering that you sign up for. You could be a short or long term foster carer, or offer emergency and respite care.

As a foster carer, you will be expected to:

• ensure that the child attends school and necessary appointments
• care for the child as part of a team of professionals, including our social workers, and teachers, as well as working with the child’s birth family
• keep records and write reports about the foster child
• advocate for the child
• help the child manage their behaviour and emotions

You can find out more about the role of foster carers and the local authority in a foster child's life by reading the Foster Carer's Charter.

Fostering is one of the most rewarding and worthwhile experiences you can have in life. Like other childcare roles, it can be challenging at times, but you will learn a lot about yourself in the process.

If you foster with us you will benefit from:

• generous allowances to cover the cost of supporting your foster child
• clear and thorough ongoing training to help you feel prepared
• a dedicated Fostering Support team to go to for help and advice, including a Fostering Supervising Social Worker to work with you throughout your fostering career
• access to our fostering social events and support groups for you and your family

Find out more about what support we offer our foster carers.

We encourage you to attend one of our online events to help you understand more about fostering.

View upcoming events and register to attend

Get in touch via our online enquiry form.