Why Foster

Working together to achieve the best for looked after children in the South West.

WHY BECOME A FOSTER CARER

People choose to foster for many reasons—some have backgrounds in social care, while others are responding to life changes or an empty nest. Whatever the motivation, fostering offers unique rewards.

Benefits of Fostering

A meaningful challenge
Fostering can be demanding, but seeing a child grow and thrive makes it deeply rewarding.

A growing family
Foster carers often speak of the joy in forming lasting bonds. Many foster children stay connected well into adulthood.

Work from home
Fostering allows you to work from home, offering flexibility and more time with your household.

Financial support
While not salaried, fostering includes a financial package to cover daily needs, celebrations, and holidays.

Positive impact
Fostering changes lives—not just for children, but for carers and communities too. It’s a chance to make a real difference.

preparation to foster

To Consider

Becoming a foster carer will have an impact on your life and others around you. It is important to discuss your desire to be a foster carer with your network of family and friends to ensure that they are able to provide you with additional support if needed.

Can you provide a good standard of care and nurture the development of young people looking for stability?
Are you open to supporting young people’s behaviour effectively by applying a nurturing, therapeutic approach?
Can you implement consistent caring boundaries?
Can you respond to a child who may be struggling to process their emotions and develop their communication skills?

What would be expected of me?

Take responsibility for the young person in your home.
Collaborate with us and the Local Authority to ensure the best outcomes for the young person.
Provide day-to-day nurturing care, ensuring their health, well-being, and educational needs are met.
Attend and contribute to professional meetings.
Support family time and encourage positive connections.
Offer opportunities and nurture hobbies and interests.
Ensure the young person is kept safe and protected from harm and abuse.
Provide care that is sensitive, responsive, and attuned to the child's needs.
Advocate for the young person.
Participate in training, support groups, events, and adhere to policies and procedures.
Be open-minded and embrace training opportunities.
Handle confidential information professionally and responsibly.

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Practical requirements:

A spare bedroom in either a rented or owned property.
At least one carer available full-time or with fewer commitments.
Carers need to be a full-time resident of the UK, or have indefinite leave to remain.
Willingness to attend training sessions and support groups.
Flexibility.
A driving license is preferred, but not essential.
To have child care experience or consider completing a voluntary role alongside your assessment.
For birth children to be 2+ years of age

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What type of fostering is best for me?

Prospective foster carers need to consider the types of foster care they are most suited to, taking into account their own and their family's circumstances and perspectives.

Children may be placed in foster care from birth up to 18 years of age. The duration of time a child is with you can vary, including short-term, emergency, long-term, or planned breaks (respite care). It is important to determine which option you would be able to provide.
When children are part of a sibling group, it is common and generally preferred for them to be placed together. Assess whether you have adequate space to accommodate one or more children.
Children in foster care come from diverse backgrounds, have experienced challenges, and have varying needs. Consider how supportive you can be and identify any areas where you would appreciate additional training or development.
Evaluate your confidence in providing care (with appropriate training and support) for children with specific needs. This may include: challenging behaviour, neurodiversity such as ADHD/Autism and disabilities.
Consider your ability to care for children from various religious or ethnic backgrounds. Assess your knowledge of different religions and cultures.

All these factors will be considered during your application process and will be included in your "Approval Terms" upon becoming a carer. These terms will then be used to help match you with suitable children.

TYPES OF FOSTERING

Short term (ST) fostering

This is for children who need temporary care. It can last from a few days to several months, often while plans are made for the child's long-term future, such as returning home or moving to their long-term foster home.

Long term (LT) fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

In long-term foster care, the plan is for the child to stay with the foster family for an extended period, potentially until they reach adulthood. This provides stability and a sense of permanence for the child.

Sibling fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Keeping siblings together in foster care is a key priority when it's in their best interest. Whether short or long-term, fostering brothers and sisters helps maintain stability and strengthens their bond, allowing them to share meaningful experiences and build lasting memories.

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

These are children and young people under the age of 18, who arrive in a country without a parent or guardian and seek asylum. These young people need carers who will give them the best possible start in a new and unknown country.

Parent & Child (P&C)

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Parent & Child (P&C)

A parent and their child can be placed together in foster care. The foster carer supports the parent in developing their parenting skills, while ensuring the child's safety and well-being. A parent and child would generally stay in your home for around 12-14 weeks.

Staying put

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Parent & Child (P&C)

Children who have lived long-term in the same foster home often become part of the family. Once they turn 18, they’re considered ‘care experienced adults’ rather than children in care. However, not all are ready for independence. In such cases, with agreement from their local authority and former foster carers, they may remain in the household under a ‘Staying Put’ arrangement—supported by a financial package—until age 21.

WHY BECOME A FOSTER CARER

Benefits of Fostering

preparation to foster

Learn More

What type of fostering is best for me?

TYPES OF FOSTERING

Short term (ST) fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

Long term (LT) fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

Sibling fostering

Short term (ST) fostering

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Parent & Child (P&C)

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Parent & Child (P&C)

Staying put

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) & Refugees

Parent & Child (P&C)

Additional support when you need it the most

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