What is fostering?

Foster carers come from all walks of life and all different circumstances. You can be married, single or somewhere in between. A homeowner or a tenant. With children, no children or a house full of pets. You don’t need to be perfect to be a good foster carer - you just need to be you. Who you are is just what they need.

Fostering is a self-employed arrangement with either your local authority or an independent fostering agency. Foster carers need to register as self-employed and submit annual tax returns. Foster carers receive fostering payments made up of a fee and an allowance from their agency or local authority. Find out more about being self employed.

Fostering is a full-time role but, in some circumstances, foster carers are able to undertake additional work outside of fostering. Foster carers are skilled and professional individuals. Can I work and foster?

To become a foster carer you need to be over 21 years of age, have a spare room and be a permanent resident with the right to work in the UK. There are some other requirements depending on your individual situation and we’d be happy to discuss these with you.

Foster carers look after children on behalf of the local authority. They do not have parental responsibility for their foster child. When a child becomes a cared for child by the local authority, the local authority shares parental responsibility with the birth parents and delegates day to day decision making to the foster carer.

At Action for Children Fostering we recognise that being a foster carer is a huge commitment. A foster carer needs to be able to dedicate time to their foster child and be there for them when needed. We look at our foster carers’ individual circumstances, as well as the young person’s, to ensure a fit that’s right for everyone.

It usually takes around 6-9 months to become a foster carer. Action for Children Fostering typically uses a three-step process following your initial enquiry. We’ll visit you and get to know you better and answer any questions you may have. There’s an application form for you to complete as well as mandatory checks and references. You’ll also have to attend a three day Skills to Foster course. Once all this is completed, we’ll attend a panel meeting together and then ask for approval from our agency decision maker. We’ll aim to pair you and a child as soon as your assessment is approved. . Find out more about the process.

Over 30,000 children enter the care system every year and there simply aren’t enough fostering families to take care of them. Children and young people need fostering for lots of different reasons. Many of the children and young people in our care have experienced trauma in their childhood. This could be due to abuse, neglect or exploitation. They need a lot of love and support and a safe place to go, even if just for a short time. A foster carer will need tailored support and training to best meet the ongoing needs of the young person in their care.

There are lots of different types of fostering arrangements and foster carers can choose which type suits them best. From emergency overnight fostering to long-term into adult fostering, we can find a fostering arrangement that works best for you and your family. Find out more about the types of fostering.

Fostering changes lives. Fostering a child is more than just giving them a home. It can be the turning point in their life. Giving them the care, confidence and stability they need to thrive. As a foster carer you’ll be able to see the impact that your care has on a young person. Knowing that you are instrumental in helping them to thrive and reach their potential is hugely rewarding and something to be immensely proud of.

Fostering can be extremely rewarding but it can also have many challenges. We provide full training and offer 24/7 professional support that is truly shaped around our foster carers’ lives. We look after them so that they can look after the young people who need them.