Fostering in Kent

Kent is home to a wide range of communities, from busy towns and growing urban areas to market towns and rural villages. Children entering care have different experiences, backgrounds and needs, but all benefit from having a trusted adult who can provide consistency, reassurance and a sense of belonging.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for people across Kent who can offer a nurturing home and a commitment to helping children thrive. Whether you're considering fostering for the first time or revisiting a long-held ambition, we'll provide the training, guidance and support needed to help you succeed.

You don't need previous fostering experience or specialist qualifications. What matters most is your ability to care, listen and provide a stable home where a child can feel valued and supported.

If you have a spare room and the desire to make a meaningful difference, fostering could be one of the most rewarding opportunities available to you.

We understand that fostering is a significant commitment that involves both emotional and practical responsibilities. That's why we provide fostering fees and allowances designed to support carers and the children they look after.

Fostering payments are made up of two elements. An allowance helps cover the everyday costs of caring for a child, including clothing, food, travel and activities. In addition, a fostering fee recognises the time, dedication and skills that foster carers bring to the role.

The amount you receive will vary depending on the type of fostering you provide and the individual needs of the child placed with you. Additional support may also be available for important milestones, special occasions and other placement-related expenses.

Our aim is to ensure that foster carers feel financially supported, enabling them to focus on what truly matters: providing children with safety, stability and opportunities to succeed.

With the right financial support in place, foster carers can concentrate on building positive relationships and helping children reach their full potential.

Successful fostering relies on having strong support around you. At Action for Children Fostering, we work alongside foster carers every step of the way, providing professional guidance, practical assistance and ongoing encouragement.

Every foster carer is supported by a dedicated supervising social worker who will be there to offer advice, supervision and support throughout your fostering journey. We understand that every fostering family is different, so we tailor our support to meet your individual needs.

You'll also have the opportunity to connect with other foster carers, sharing experiences and learning from people who understand the challenges and rewards of fostering.

Support available includes:

• Dedicated support from an experienced supervising social worker
• Foster carer support groups and networking opportunities
• Regular supervision and guidance
• Specialist advice from experienced professionals
• Ongoing practical and emotional support
• Emergency and out-of-hours assistance when required

Many foster carers tell us that being part of a wider fostering community gives them confidence and reassurance. Talking through experiences, sharing advice and celebrating achievements can make a real difference.

Our goal is to ensure that every foster carer in Kent feels supported, valued and equipped to provide high-quality care.

We believe that high-quality training is essential to helping foster carers provide the best possible care for children and young people.

Our training programme starts before approval and continues throughout your fostering journey. Every course is provided free of charge and is designed to build your confidence, knowledge and understanding.

Skills to Foster

This introductory training provides a comprehensive overview of fostering. It explores topics such as child development, attachment, trauma, fostering responsibilities and working with professionals supporting children in care.

Therapeutic Parenting

Many children who enter care have experienced difficult life events, including loss, trauma or instability. Therapeutic parenting training helps carers understand these experiences and develop approaches that support children's emotional wellbeing and development.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding training covers essential areas including child protection, health and wellbeing, online safety and understanding the risks and challenges children may encounter.

Continuing Professional Development

Learning doesn't stop once you're approved. Foster carers have access to ongoing training opportunities that help them develop specialist skills and respond confidently to the changing needs of children and young people.

Through training, support and regular supervision, we help foster carers build the confidence needed to provide nurturing and stable homes.

Many people assume they wouldn't be suitable for fostering, but foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and family situations.

If you're over 21, have a spare bedroom and have the right to live and work in the UK, there's a good chance you could become a foster carer.

We welcome enquiries from:

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

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

The qualities that matter most are patience, empathy, resilience and a genuine commitment to helping children feel safe and supported.

By fostering in Kent, you could provide a child with stability at a critical point in their life and help them develop the confidence and security needed to build a brighter future.

Contact our Kent fostering team today to learn more about becoming a foster carer and the support available to help you get started.