Fostering in York

Children come into care for many different reasons, and every child's situation is unique. What they often need most is a trusted adult who can provide consistency, reassurance and a nurturing environment where they can feel secure. Foster carers give children the opportunity to build positive relationships, develop resilience and experience the everyday routines that help them thrive.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for foster carers from across York and the surrounding area who can provide caring homes for local children. Whether you live in the city, on the outskirts or in a nearby village, fostering gives you the chance to make a meaningful difference while helping children stay connected to the communities that matter to them.

You don't need to be a parent or have previous fostering experience to get started. What matters most is your ability to provide patience, understanding and a commitment to helping children succeed.

If you've ever thought about fostering, now is an excellent time to find out how your support could change a child's life.

We recognise the dedication that foster carers bring to their role and believe they should receive financial support that reflects their commitment.

Fostering payments are made up of two parts: an allowance and a fostering fee. The allowance helps cover the costs associated with caring for a child, including food, clothing, travel and activities. The fostering fee recognises the responsibility, time and skills involved in providing high-quality care.

The amount you receive will depend on several factors, including the type of fostering you provide and the needs of the child placed with you. Additional financial support may also be available to help with educational opportunities, family experiences, holidays and other activities that contribute to a child's wellbeing and development.

Our aim is to help foster carers focus on creating positive opportunities and experiences rather than worrying about financial pressures.

With practical support in place, foster families can concentrate on providing children with the stability and encouragement they need to thrive.

Fostering can be incredibly rewarding, but it's important to have access to the right support when challenges arise. That's why we place a strong emphasis on ensuring every foster carer feels supported throughout their journey.

When you become a foster carer with Action for Children Fostering, you'll have a dedicated supervising social worker who will work closely with you, providing advice, guidance and regular supervision. We build strong relationships with our carers and ensure support is always available when needed.

You'll also become part of a wider fostering community where carers can connect, share experiences and learn from one another.

Support available includes:

• A dedicated supervising social worker
• Regular supervision and support visits
• Foster carer support groups
• Opportunities to connect with other fostering households
• Access to specialist advice and resources
• Out-of-hours support for emergencies and urgent situations

Many foster carers tell us that peer support becomes one of the most valuable parts of the fostering experience. Being able to speak with others who understand the role can provide reassurance, insight and encouragement.

Our goal is to ensure every foster carer feels confident, informed and supported from their first enquiry through to becoming an experienced foster carer.

Children and young people in care often have individual needs that require understanding, patience and specialist support. To help foster carers provide the best possible care, we offer a comprehensive programme of training and development.

All training is provided free of charge and begins before approval. Learning continues throughout your fostering journey, helping you build your confidence and develop new skills over time.

Skills to Foster

This introductory programme provides a thorough introduction to fostering, covering child development, attachment, communication, safeguarding and the responsibilities involved in caring for children and young people.

Therapeutic Parenting

Children who come into care may have experienced trauma, neglect or loss. Therapeutic parenting training helps carers understand these experiences and develop approaches that build trust, emotional wellbeing and positive relationships.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding training explores child protection, online safety, mental health, wellbeing and recognising potential risks that may affect children and young people.

Further Learning Opportunities

As your experience grows, you'll have access to a variety of additional training opportunities that allow you to develop specialist knowledge and strengthen your fostering skills.

Our training programme is designed to ensure carers feel prepared, capable and confident in helping children achieve positive outcomes.

Many people who become successful foster carers originally thought they wouldn't be suitable. In reality, fostering is open to people from a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences.

Generally, you may be eligible to foster if you:

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

We welcome applications from:

• Single people
• Couples and partners
• Parents and people without children
• Homeowners and tenants
• People who work full-time
• Retired individuals
• People from all ethnic, cultural and faith backgrounds
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community
• People living with disabilities

There is no "typical" foster carer. Children benefit from different types of homes, experiences and positive adult role models, which is why diversity is so important within fostering.

The qualities we look for most are compassion, resilience, patience and a genuine desire to help children feel safe, supported and valued.

By fostering in York, you could provide a child with the stability, care and encouragement they need to build confidence and create new opportunities for the future.

Contact our York fostering team today to find out more about becoming a foster carer and the support available throughout your fostering journey.