Fostering in Dorset

From coastal towns and rural communities to larger urban areas, foster carers across Dorset play a vital role in helping children remain connected to the places and people that matter most to them. By providing a nurturing home environment, foster carers help young people develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for individuals and families throughout Dorset who are willing to make a difference to a child's future. Whether you're exploring fostering for the first time or have considered it before, we'll support you throughout every stage of the process.

You don't need previous experience to become a successful foster carer. What matters most is your ability to provide patience, understanding and a safe place for a child to thrive.

If you have a spare room and a desire to make a lasting impact on a young person's life, our fostering team would love to hear from you.

We recognise the significant commitment foster carers make, which is why we provide a comprehensive package of fostering fees and allowances.

Fostering payments are designed to support both the child in your care and you as their foster carer. The allowance element helps cover everyday expenses such as food, clothing, travel, activities and household costs. The fee element recognises the valuable role foster carers play in supporting children and young people.

The level of payment you receive will depend on factors including the type of fostering you provide and the individual needs of the child placed with you. Additional support may also be available to help with holidays, special occasions and other important events.

Our goal is to ensure foster carers can focus on providing high-quality care without unnecessary financial concerns. By offering practical financial support, we help carers create stable, positive and nurturing environments where children can flourish.

When you foster with Action for Children Fostering, you'll become part of a supportive and experienced fostering community.

Every foster carer receives guidance from a dedicated supervising social worker who will work alongside you throughout your fostering journey. Through regular supervision visits, advice and ongoing communication, they'll help you navigate the challenges and rewards of fostering.

We believe strong support networks are essential for foster carers. That's why we provide opportunities for carers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another.

Our support includes:

• Dedicated one-to-one support from a supervising social worker
• Access to peer support groups and fostering networks
• Regular supervision and guidance
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Out-of-hours support whenever it is needed
• Access to additional specialist advice and expertise

Foster carers often tell us that the support they receive from fellow carers is invaluable. Hearing from people who understand the realities of fostering can help build confidence and provide reassurance during difficult situations.

We are committed to ensuring that every foster carer feels supported, informed and valued.

Providing children with the best possible care starts with excellent training. That's why we offer comprehensive learning opportunities before approval and throughout your fostering career.

All training is provided free of charge and is designed to help you understand children's experiences, meet their needs and feel confident in your role as a foster carer.

Skills to Foster

This introductory programme explores the fostering role in depth. You'll learn about child development, attachment, safeguarding, communication and the professionals involved in supporting children and young people.

Therapeutic Parenting

Many children in care have experienced trauma, loss or disrupted relationships. Therapeutic parenting training helps foster carers understand how these experiences affect behaviour and how positive relationships can support recovery and growth.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Safeguarding training provides the knowledge and skills needed to promote children's safety and wellbeing. Topics include child protection, online safety, health and understanding risk.

Continuous Learning

Fostering is a journey of ongoing development. We provide additional learning opportunities that help carers build specialist skills, increase confidence and respond effectively to the changing needs of children and young people.

Through ongoing training and development, we help foster carers provide safe, nurturing and supportive homes where children can reach their full potential.

Many people assume they wouldn't be able to foster, but the reality is that foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

If you're over 21, have a spare bedroom and have the right to live and work in the UK, you may be eligible to become a foster carer.

We welcome applications from:

• Single people
• Couples
• Parents and non-parents
• Homeowners and tenants
• People from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community
• People with disabilities
• Working professionals and retired individuals

There is no such thing as a perfect foster carer. Children need different types of homes, personalities and experiences.

The most important qualities are patience, empathy, resilience and a genuine desire to help children feel safe and supported.

By becoming a foster carer in Dorset, you could provide a child with the stability and encouragement they need to build a brighter future. If you're ready to learn more, our friendly team is here to answer your questions and help you explore whether fostering is right for you.