Who can foster?

That's okay. Our foster carers need experience with children or young people, but you don't have to have been a parent!

Your experience could be:

• Looking after children in your family
• Volunteering
• Working with children and young people.

We'll always make sure you have the training and the support you need to look after the children in your care.

Read John and Geraldine's story: "Fostering filled a gap we didn't even realise we had"

It doesn't matter whether you own or rent your house, you can foster either way. But if you rent, you'll need to ask your landlord for permission.

We provide a weekly allowance, so you can focus your time and skills on the children and young people in your care. We also help cover expenses while you have a foster child with you.

38% of our foster carers have returned to work since they started. As long as you're there for the young person when they need you, there is some flexibility.

Lots of our foster carers have children living at home, all at different ages.

During the assessment, we look at how a fostered child could fit into your home. We also look at how you would meet the needs of your own children and the fostered child.

If your own children are very small, we may ask for you to wait a little, but please do get in touch to chat it through with us!

Read Lauren's story: "How growing up in a fostering household has given me lifelong skills"

We welcome everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. We want our foster carers to reflect diverse families.

If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, apply!