What is fostering?

Fostering is one of the most varied, challenging and rewarding jobs you can do.

Fostering can be anything from taking a child into your home for one weekend a month, to looking after them on a full-time basis for a few months, or perhaps permanently.

Every year, tens of thousands of children across the UK need foster carers while they can’t live with their own families. That means thousands of new foster carers are needed every year.

Could you be one of them?

There is nothing quite like fostering if you want to work with children. Working from home, it’s possible to combine fostering with caring for your own children, or to combine fostering and other work, depending on the age and needs of the children in your care.

Watch our latest video which show you how fostering is life-changing.

It shows the journey of ‘Sophie’ and ‘Charlie’ who are in a very difficult home situation where their needs are not being met, to being nurtured and supported through foster care to attend school and be able to enjoy their hobbies and interests. In other words, have a childhood. 

Most people over the age of 21 who have a spare room at home can foster.

Foster carers come from different walks of life just like the children and young people who need looking after.  It’s your life experience, individual qualities and what you can offer a child that’s important.  

Our guide to fostering in one handy information pack.

We have two guides that explain fostering to children and young people.