What is foster care?

Fostering is the care of children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families. It provides them with a safe, stable and supportive home during a time of change or uncertainty in their lives.

At FW Fostering, we support foster carers across the UK to provide nurturing family homes where children can feel secure, understood and cared for.

What Is Fostering?

Fostering involves welcoming a child or young person into your home and caring for them on behalf of the local authority. Foster care can be short term or long term, depending on the child’s circumstances and needs.

Children may be placed in foster care for a variety of reasons, and every situation is different. Some placements last for a few days or weeks, while others may continue for several months or years.

The purpose of fostering is always to provide children with:

• Safety and stability
• Consistent care and routines
• Emotional support and understanding

How Does Fostering Work?

When child needs foster care, the local authority works with fostering agencies to identify a suitable placement. Foster carers are carefully matched with children based on experience, availability and the child’s individual needs.

Foster carers work as part of a wider professional network that may include:

• Social workers
• Teachers and education professionals
• Health services
• Support workers

Day to day, foster carers provide care, guidance and encouragement, helping children feel settled and supported. Foster carers are not expected to manage this alone. Ongoing guidance and professional support are an essential part of fostering.

Why Do Children Need Foster Care?

Children come into foster care for many reasons, including:

• Family breakdown or crisis
• Illness or mental health difficulties within the family
• Domestic abuse
• Neglect or abuse

Foster care offers children a safe environment while decisions are made about their future. For some children, fostering is a temporary arrangement; for others, it provides long-term stability.

Contact Us

Types of Fostering

There are different types of fostering, allowing carers to choose an option that fits their circumstances and experience.

Short-Term Fostering

Providing care for a child while assessments or longer-term plans are made.

Long-Term Fostering

Caring for a child until adulthood when returning home is not possible.

Emergency Fostering

Looking after children at short notice, often for a few days or weeks.

Respite Fostering

Providing short breaks for children or other foster carers.

Parent and Child Fostering

Supporting a parent and their baby together in a structured and supportive setting.

At FW Fostering, carers are supported to understand which type of fostering is most suitable for them.

Who can become a foster carer?

Many people are eligible to foster and may not realise it. In general, you can foster if you:

• Are aged 21 or over
• Have a spare bedroom
• Are single, married, in a relationship or part of a same-sex couple
• Rent or own your home
• Are working or not currently working

Previous childcare experience is not essential. What matters most is the ability to provide a safe, stable and caring home.

Can I Foster?

Support for Foster Carers

Support is a key part of successful fostering. Foster carers need to feel confident, informed and well supported throughout their journey.

At FW Fostering, carers receive:

• Pre-approval and ongoing training
• A dedicated supervising social worker
• Regular visits and guidance
• 24/7 out-of-hours support

Our approach is calm, consistent and focused on building strong, trusting relationships with carers.

Fostering Allowances and Payments

Foster carers receive weekly fostering allowances to cover the cost of caring for a child, including food, clothing and activities. Additional payments may also be provided depending on the type of placement and level of care required.

Allowances can vary based on:

• The child’s age
• The type of fostering placement
• The child’s individual needs

Clear information and open conversations about fostering payments are an important part of the process.

The Fostering Assessment Process

The fostering assessment process is designed to ensure children are placed in safe, supportive homes and that fostering is right for each carer.

The process usually includes:

1. An initial enquiry and informal discussion
2. A home visit
3. Application and background checks
4. Training and assessment
5. Approval by an independent panel

Throughout the assessment, guidance and support are provided, and questions are encouraged at every stage.

Is Fostering Right for You?

Fostering can be both rewarding and challenging. It requires patience, resilience and a willingness to learn. Many foster carers describe fostering as one of the most meaningful things they have ever done.

You may be suited to fostering if you:

• Can offer stability and routine
• Are open to support and guidance
• Want to make a positive difference in a child’s life

Why Foster with FW Fostering?

As an independent fostering agency, FW Fostering offers:

• A supportive, child-focused approach
• High levels of training and guidance
• Smaller caseloads for social workers
• Strong working relationships with carers

Our focus is on providing consistent, professional support so foster carers feel confident in their role.

Taking the Next Step

If you are considering fostering or would like more information, a conversation with our team can help you understand your options and what fostering could look like for you.

We are always happy to answer questions and provide clear, honest guidance.

Contact FW Fostering to learn more about becoming a foster carer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering