Fostering in Stockport

Fostering is about helping children feel safe during times of uncertainty. It means providing consistency, listening when they need someone to talk to and celebrating the milestones that help build self-confidence and resilience. The care you provide can have a lasting impact on a young person's future.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for people throughout Stockport who can offer local children a supportive and nurturing home. Whether you live in a busy urban area or one of Stockport's surrounding communities, fostering gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while helping children stay connected to their local area.

You don't need previous fostering experience to become a foster carer. We're looking for people with compassion, patience and the commitment to provide children with the stability they deserve.

If you have a spare room and want to make a genuine difference in a child's life, fostering could be the opportunity you've been searching for.

We recognise the commitment foster carers make and believe they should receive financial support that allows them to focus fully on caring for children and young people.

Fostering payments are designed to cover the practical costs of caring while recognising the important role foster carers play. Payments consist of a fostering allowance, which helps cover everyday expenses, and a fostering fee, which reflects the dedication, responsibility and skills involved in the role.

The allowance can help with costs such as:

• Food and household expenses
• Clothing and footwear
• Travel and transport
• School activities and hobbies
• Day-to-day living needs

Payment levels vary depending on the type of fostering you provide and the needs of the child placed with you. Additional support may also be available for special occasions, educational opportunities and activities that promote development and wellbeing.

Our aim is to ensure foster carers feel financially supported and able to provide children with positive experiences and opportunities.

We understand that fostering is both rewarding and demanding, which is why support sits at the heart of our fostering service.

From your first enquiry onwards, you'll have access to an experienced team dedicated to helping you develop and succeed as a foster carer. Every foster carer is supported by a supervising social worker who provides regular guidance, practical advice and ongoing supervision.

We believe fostering works best when carers feel confident and connected to a wider support network.

Our support package includes:

• A dedicated supervising social worker
• Regular supervision sessions
• Foster carer support groups
• Peer support from other carers
• Access to specialist services and professional advice
• 24-hour support when urgent help is needed

Many foster carers tell us that being able to share experiences with others who understand the realities of fostering provides reassurance and valuable practical insight.

We're committed to ensuring foster carers across Stockport feel supported, respected and equipped to provide the best possible care.

Children and young people in care often have complex needs and experiences. To help foster carers feel prepared and confident, we provide a comprehensive programme of training and ongoing development.

All courses are provided free of charge and begin before approval. Training continues throughout your fostering journey, supporting you as you gain experience and develop new skills.

Skills to Foster

This essential introduction covers the fostering role in depth, exploring child development, attachment, communication, safeguarding and the challenges children in care may face.

Therapeutic Parenting

Many young people in care have experienced trauma, separation or instability. Therapeutic parenting training helps carers understand the impact of these experiences while introducing approaches that promote security, trust and positive emotional development.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding training helps carers understand how to keep children safe and covers topics such as child protection, online safety, emotional wellbeing and recognising signs that additional support may be needed.

Further Development Opportunities

As your fostering experience grows, you'll have the opportunity to attend additional courses focused on specialist skills and areas of interest relevant to the children you support.

Our training programme is designed to help foster carers provide safe, nurturing homes where children can feel supported to achieve their potential.

Many people assume fostering isn't something they could do, but successful foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

You may be able to foster if you:

• Are over 21 years of age
• Have a spare bedroom
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Can provide a safe and stable home

We welcome enquiries from:

• Single people
• Couples and partners
• Parents and non-parents
• Homeowners and tenants
• People who work full-time
• Retired individuals
• People from all cultural and faith backgrounds
• LGBTQ+ individuals and couples
• People living with disabilities

There is no single type of person who becomes a foster carer. Children need a diverse range of homes, experiences and positive influences, and we're committed to finding the right match for every child.

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

By fostering in Stockport, you could provide a child with the stability, encouragement and opportunities they need to build confidence and create a brighter future.

Contact our Stockport fostering team today to learn more about becoming a foster carer and discover how you could help change a child's life.