Fostering in Sunderland

Every child in care has their own story and individual needs. Some need short-term support during periods of change, while others need a longer-term family environment where they can feel secure and develop confidence for the future. Foster carers play a crucial role in helping children build resilience, maintain important relationships and thrive in a nurturing home.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for caring individuals and families throughout Sunderland who want to make a meaningful difference. Whether you live near the city centre, by the coast or in one of the surrounding communities, fostering gives you the opportunity to support local children while helping them stay connected to the places that matter most to them.

You don't need previous fostering experience to become a foster carer. If you have patience, compassion and a commitment to helping children succeed, we'll provide the training and support needed to help you every step of the way.

If you're ready to explore fostering, our team is here to help you start your journey.

We know that fostering requires commitment, flexibility and dedication. That's why we provide fostering payments designed to support carers while they focus on providing excellent care for children and young people.

Our fostering payments include both allowances and fees. The allowance contributes towards daily costs such as food, clothing, travel, hobbies and household expenses. The fostering fee recognises the valuable role carers play in supporting children's wellbeing, development and future opportunities.

The amount paid depends on the type of fostering you provide and the individual circumstances of each placement. Additional financial support may also be available to help children take part in educational activities, celebrations, family experiences and other important opportunities.

Our aim is to remove financial barriers so foster carers can focus on providing a positive and supportive family environment.

By ensuring carers have practical financial support, we help them create stable homes where children can feel secure and valued.

Becoming a foster carer means joining a team that is committed to supporting you throughout your fostering journey.

Every foster carer receives ongoing support from a dedicated supervising social worker who provides guidance, practical advice and regular supervision. We understand that every family is different, which is why our support is tailored to meet individual needs and circumstances.

We also recognise the importance of building strong connections with other foster carers who understand the realities of the role.

Foster carers have access to:

• Dedicated support from a supervising social worker
• Regular supervision and review meetings
• Foster carer support groups
• Opportunities to connect with experienced carers
• Access to specialist advice and services
• Out-of-hours support whenever required

Many carers find that meeting others within the fostering community provides reassurance, encouragement and practical insight. Sharing experiences with people who understand fostering can be invaluable.

We are committed to ensuring every foster carer feels confident, well supported and able to provide the best possible care for children and young people.

Children in care often need carers who can understand their experiences and respond with patience, empathy and confidence. That's why we invest heavily in training and development for all foster carers.

Training starts before approval and continues throughout your fostering journey. All learning opportunities are provided free of charge and are designed to support carers as they build their knowledge and skills.

Skills to Foster

This introductory programme provides an overview of the fostering role and explores important topics including child development, attachment, safeguarding and understanding the needs of children in care.

Therapeutic Parenting

Many children entering foster care have experienced trauma, loss or instability. Therapeutic parenting training helps carers understand these experiences and develop supportive approaches that encourage trust, security and emotional wellbeing.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding training covers child protection, online safety, health, wellbeing and recognising potential risks that may impact children and young people.

Developing Your Knowledge

As you gain experience, additional learning opportunities become available to help you develop specialist skills and respond effectively to a wide range of situations and children's needs.

Our training programme is designed to support foster carers in creating safe, stable and nurturing homes where children can flourish.

Many people who have the qualities needed to foster don't realise they could be eligible.

In most cases, you may be able to foster if you:

• Are over 21 years old
• Have a spare bedroom
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Can provide a safe and supportive home environment

We welcome applications from people from all walks of life, including:

• Single people
• Couples and partners
• Parents and people without children
• Homeowners and tenants
• Working professionals
• Retired individuals
• People from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community
• People living with disabilities

There is no one-size-fits-all foster carer. Children need different types of homes, personalities and life experiences, which is why a diverse fostering community is so important.

The qualities we value most are kindness, resilience, patience and a genuine commitment to helping children reach their potential.

By becoming a foster carer in Sunderland, you could provide a child with the support, encouragement and stability they need to build confidence and create a brighter future.

Contact our Sunderland fostering team today to find out more about fostering and how we can support you throughout the process.