Being a foster carer can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. It is a chance to really make a difference in your community, your life and the life of a child who needs care, support and a place they can call home.
With Foster with us, becoming a foster carer couldn’t be easier. Through each stage of the journey, from sourcing information to training and approval, we work hand in hand with the local authority of your choice (Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness) to make sure you have all the support, information and training to become successful in this very rewarding venture.
Who can foster
If you are considering fostering, the barriers may be fewer than you realise. Of course, there are rules, regulations and standards that need to be met but to get started you simply need to:
- be over the age of 21
- don’t have a banned dog breed
- be eligible to work in the UK
- have a spare room (unless fostering a child under 3)
There is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer.
That’s it.
What you get when you become a foster carer with us
If you foster through Foster with us, you are actually fostering with your local council. This has many benefits to both yourself and the children you foster as we prioritise keeping the children close to their local community. This means schools, clubs, friends and family are all close to you meaning their existing routines and relationships can be maintained. As a foster carer, travelling to training and support groups are minimised and on your doorstep. Along with this benefit you also get:
A generous allowance
With Foster with us you will receive a generous allowance provided by your local authority to cover the daily living needs of the child in your care, and also a fostering fee. You will also be provided with help for initial setup costs and mileage for essential trips.
Training and development
We know that taking the first steps towards fostering can be daunting. There are many myths and unknowns that can make it seem confusing and make many question if they are able to be foster carers in the first place. With Foster with us you are first given the opportunity to get in touch and ask all of the questions that you are unsure about, if you chose to continue, you have full support through the whole process. On top of this you will get access to pre-approval training, meaning you will receive all the knowledge you need to excel in fostering before you begin.
24/7 Support
As you are working with your local authority you will gain around the clock support. This means your own allocated fostering supervising social worker, and access to out of hours professional help if you need it. You will also have support from experienced foster carer buddies and support groups.
How to become a foster carer
To get started all you need to do is get in touch with our friendly hub, this can be through our enquiry form, or by calling us on 0300 019 0200. Once in touch we can answer any questions you have and talk you through the process with no expectation or obligation whatsoever. So, if you are considering fostering and live in Lancashire, Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness then get in touch today to find out more.
