Reliable Support for Your Family

The initial requirements to foster are simple:

• Be over 21 years old.
• Have a spare bedroom available for a child.
• Have the right to live and work in the UK.
• Be committed to making a difference in a child’s life.

If you meet these requirements, together, we’ll assess your personal situation to determine if fostering is right for you and if you can provide a safe and stable home for a child.

If you feel nervous about reaching out because you worry something might prevent you from fostering, why not have an informal chat with one of our advisors?

We’ve helped countless people become foster parents who thought they might not be eligible. If fostering isn’t for you right now, we’ll handle this with care as well.

Yes, many foster parents have their own children. We provide extensive support to ensure the experience is positive for your whole family, including:

• Resources to help prepare your children for fostering
• Additional support from a Family Support Worker
• Dedicated support groups, events, and activities

Our goal is to make sure every child in your home feels safe, happy, and heard. We regularly ask for feedback to ensure we’re providing the best possible support for your children.

The first step to fostering is an informal chat with one of our friendly fostering advisors. This quick call helps us get to know you a little better and gives you the chance to ask any questions.

After the call, you might decide you’re ready to move to the next step – an initial visit – where we’ll discuss you, your family, and how fostering works in more detail.

Or, you might prefer to join one of our online information events to learn more before taking the next step.

You may even decide that fostering isn’t right for you, and that’s okay too.

You’ll never be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.

The process can vary but typically takes around four to six months from your initial enquiry to becoming an approved foster parent.

You’ll have a team of professionals around you to help, both on your journey to becoming a foster parent and into your fostering career too.

Our comprehensive support package includes:

• Dedicated support throughout your assessment.
• Professional training tailored to your needs.
• A dedicated social worker and family support worker.
• 24/7 helpline for emergency assistance.
• Access to educational and therapeutic resources.
• Local support groups and mentoring schemes.
• Additional support and resources for your children too.
• Excellent tax-free allowance for each child in your care.
• 2 weeks of paid respite.

Yes, foster parents receive a generous tax-free allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child.

In addition, you’ll also receive:

• Birthday allowance
• Religious festival allowance
• 2 weeks of paid respite per year
• Exclusive refer-a-friend scheme
• Access to our rewards and discounts platform