What is fostering?

Everything you need to know about fostering and becoming a foster carer so you can decide what's right for you

Around 9,000 new foster carers are needed right now in the UK.

Thousands of children need a safe and secure home - can you help?

Children or young people in need of foster care may not be able to live with their own birth family for a number of reasons, this could be because:

  • Parents are unable to care for their children for various reasons, such as illness, family problems, substance abuse, serious mental health issues and incarceration.
  • Children may be at risk of being harmed or have already been physically, emotionally or sexually abused or neglected.

All children in need of foster care will have experienced trauma and deserve foster carers who are compassionate and willing to support them, in a safe and loving home. They need people who can help them make sense of their early life experiences.

Fostering is an extraordinary and deeply rewarding opportunity. Think it could be the career choice for you? Find out who can foster here.

Untitled (1500 × 1500px)

“Foster carers talked positively about the support that they receive from the agency and from their supervising social workers. They said that the agency is always there for them. Foster carers said that they always felt valued and respected by the agency.”

Ofsted, 2019

Untitled design (27)

Who Can Foster?

Becoming a Diagrama foster carer requires flexibility, commitment, patience and a willingness to learn new skills. Find out if you have what it takes.

Untitled design (7)

Who needs foster care?

Find out more about the children and young people in need of foster care and why they may be unable to live with their birth parents.

Untitled (1500 × 1500px)

Types of foster care

Information about the wide range of short-term, long-term and respite foster placements for children and young people that our foster carers can offer.

Finding the right foster care pathway to suit your family is important

It is important for our foster carers to thrive in order for them to enable the children in their care to thrive. That means you need to find a placement arrangement that works for you and your family.

First you must go through a vetting process when you apply to become a foster carer, to make sure that fostering is right for you. Then, as you explore fostering as a career with our team, we will help you to identify the options that you are most suited to. You can read more about the different types of fostering placements here.

Our team is committed to supporting you and ensuring you have the skills to support the children and young people in your care too. Fostering isn't just about dedication and resilience - it is about understanding too - that's why we provide a comprehensive training programme for all our foster carers.

Untitled (1500 × 1500px)