Fostering in Cornwall

For many children in care, remaining close to familiar surroundings can make a significant difference. Staying connected to schools, friendships and local communities helps children maintain a sense of continuity during what can often be a challenging time. Foster carers across Cornwall play a vital role in making this possible.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for compassionate people throughout Cornwall who are willing to open their homes and hearts to children who need support. Whether you live in a coastal town, a rural village or a larger community, fostering gives you the opportunity to have a lasting impact on a young person's future.

You don't need previous fostering experience to become a foster carer. With patience, commitment and a genuine desire to help children thrive, we'll provide the training and support you need every step of the way.

If you're ready to learn more about fostering, our local team is here to help you explore whether fostering could be right for you.

We recognise that fostering is a significant commitment and want carers to feel fully supported, both practically and financially.

Our fostering payments are designed to help cover the costs of caring for a child while recognising the important role foster carers play. Payments are made up of two elements: an allowance to support the day-to-day costs of caring for a child and a fee that reflects the time, dedication and skills involved in fostering.

Allowances help cover expenses such as food, clothing, travel, hobbies and other everyday needs. Fees vary depending on the type of fostering you provide and the circumstances of the child or young person placed with you.

Additional support may also be available for special events, educational opportunities and other important aspects of a child's development.

By providing financial support, we help foster carers focus on creating a safe, stable and positive home environment where children can feel secure and valued.

We believe that foster carers should never feel that they're facing challenges alone. That's why we provide a strong network of professional and peer support to every fostering household.

When you become a foster carer with Action for Children Fostering, you'll have a dedicated supervising social worker who will support you throughout your fostering journey. From regular supervision visits to practical advice and guidance, you'll always have someone to turn to.

We understand that every fostering situation is unique, so our support is tailored to meet the needs of both you and the children in your care.

Support available to foster carers includes:

• Dedicated support from an experienced supervising social worker
• Regular supervision and one-to-one guidance
• Foster carer support groups
• Opportunities to connect with other fostering families
• Access to specialist advice and expertise
• Out-of-hours support for urgent situations

Many foster carers tell us that connecting with other carers helps them feel part of a wider community. Sharing experiences, asking questions and learning from others can provide reassurance and confidence throughout the fostering journey.

Our aim is to ensure that every foster carer feels supported, appreciated and equipped to provide the best possible care.

Children in care can have a wide range of experiences and needs. To help foster carers feel confident and prepared, we provide comprehensive training before approval and throughout their fostering journey.

All training is delivered free of charge and is designed to help carers build the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to support children effectively.

Skills to Foster

This introductory course provides the foundation for fostering. You'll learn about child development, attachment, the foster carer role, safeguarding and working alongside professionals who support children and young people.

Therapeutic Parenting

Many children in care have experienced trauma, loss or instability. Therapeutic parenting training helps carers understand how these experiences affect behaviour and development, while providing practical ways to build trusting relationships and emotional security.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding training covers child protection, health and wellbeing, online safety and understanding the challenges that children and young people may face.

Ongoing Development

Learning doesn't stop once you become approved. We provide additional training opportunities that allow carers to build specialist skills, deepen their understanding and respond confidently to the changing needs of children.

Our training programme is designed to help foster carers feel well prepared, well supported and capable of providing nurturing homes where children can thrive.

Many people who make excellent foster carers don't initially think they're eligible. The reality is that fostering is open to people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

Generally, if you're over 21, have a spare bedroom and have the right to live and work in the UK, you may be able to foster.

We welcome enquiries from:

• Single people
• Couples and partners
• Parents and non-parents
• Homeowners and tenants
• Full-time workers and retired people
• People from all cultures, communities and faiths
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community
• People living with disabilities

There is no single type of foster carer. Children need different kinds of homes and different positive adult role models.

The most important qualities are kindness, patience, understanding and a willingness to support a child through both challenges and achievements.

By becoming a foster carer in Cornwall, you could provide a child with stability, encouragement and opportunities that help shape a brighter future.

Contact our Cornwall fostering team today to find out more about fostering and the support available to help you begin your journey.