Fostering in Somerset

Children enter care for many different reasons and often face uncertainty, disruption and change. Foster carers provide much more than accommodation. They offer consistency, reassurance and the everyday support that helps children build confidence and feel safe.

At Action for Children Fostering, we're looking for caring people across Somerset who can provide nurturing homes for local children. Whether you live in a market town, rural village or busy community, your support can have a lasting impact on a young person's future.

You don't need previous fostering experience to make a difference. We'll provide comprehensive training, practical guidance and ongoing support throughout your journey, helping you develop the skills and confidence needed to foster successfully.

If you're ready to make a positive difference to the life of a child, we'd love to hear from you.

We understand that fostering is a significant responsibility, which is why we provide financial support designed to help foster carers focus on caring for children.

Fostering payments are made up of two key components. The allowance element helps cover everyday costs such as food, clothing, travel, activities and household expenses. The fee element recognises the commitment, time and dedication that foster carers bring to their role.

The amount you receive will depend on the type of fostering you undertake and the individual needs of the child placed with you. Additional support may also be available to help with educational activities, celebrations, holidays and other important experiences that contribute to a child's wellbeing.

Our approach is designed to ensure foster carers feel financially supported while providing children with the opportunities and experiences they deserve.

By removing some of the practical pressures associated with fostering, we enable carers to focus on creating positive and lasting relationships with the children in their care.

When you become a foster carer with Action for Children Fostering, you'll never be expected to face challenges on your own. We believe strong support is the foundation of successful fostering.

Every foster carer is allocated a dedicated supervising social worker who will provide regular guidance, advice and supervision throughout the fostering journey. Your social worker will take time to understand your circumstances and help you develop confidence in your role.

Alongside professional support, you'll have opportunities to connect with other foster carers through support groups and local networks.

The support we offer includes:

• Dedicated support from an experienced supervising social worker
• Regular supervision sessions and home visits
• Foster carer support groups and networking opportunities
• Access to specialist advice and expertise
• Ongoing practical and emotional support
• 24-hour support for urgent situations

Many carers find that developing relationships with other fostering households helps them navigate challenges and celebrate successes together.

Our goal is to ensure every foster carer feels respected, valued and fully supported throughout their fostering experience.

Children in care often have unique experiences that require understanding, patience and specialist support. That's why we invest heavily in training and development for all foster carers.

Training begins before approval and continues throughout your fostering career. Every training opportunity is provided free of charge and is designed to help you understand children's needs and provide the highest quality care.

Skills to Foster

This introductory training provides a strong foundation for fostering. It covers child development, attachment, communication, safeguarding and the responsibilities involved in being a foster carer.

Therapeutic Parenting

Many children have experienced difficult life events, including trauma, neglect or loss. Therapeutic parenting training helps carers understand the impact of these experiences and develop supportive approaches that help children feel safe and understood.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding training focuses on child protection, online safety, health and wellbeing, recognising risks and promoting positive outcomes for children and young people.

Continuing Development

As your experience grows, you'll have access to a wide range of additional training opportunities that help you develop specialist knowledge and strengthen your skills as a foster carer.

We want every foster carer to feel equipped, informed and confident in providing a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

Many people who would make excellent foster carers don't initially believe they're suitable. The reality is that foster carers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions and family situations.

In most cases, if you're over 21, have a spare bedroom and have the right to work in the UK, you may be eligible to foster.

We welcome applications from:

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

There is no single definition of a foster carer. Children need different kinds of homes, experiences and role models, and diversity helps us find the right match for every child.

The qualities we value most are compassion, resilience, patience and a genuine desire to help children succeed.

By fostering in Somerset, you could provide a child with the security, encouragement and opportunities they need to build a brighter future.

Contact our Somerset fostering team today to learn more about becoming a foster carer and the support available every step of the way.