Fostering as a career

By choosing a fostering career, you’ll offer life-changing support to vulnerable children.

Fostering is more than a career. It's an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people while receiving the training, support and financial package needed to help you succeed.

Can fostering become a full-time career?

For many people, fostering becomes a rewarding full-time role. Others combine fostering with flexible or part-time work, depending on the needs of the children they care for.

Whatever your circumstances, we'll help you understand the opportunities available and the support you can expect throughout your fostering journey.

Can you work and foster?

Yes, many foster carers continue to work while fostering.

Whether this is possible depends on your working hours, flexibility and the needs of the child in your care. Some fostering placements require a carer to be available during the day, while others can be balanced alongside employment.

If you're unsure, we'll talk through your circumstances and help you understand what options may be suitable.

Financial support

Foster carers receive a generous fostering allowance and professional support throughout their fostering journey.

Your allowance is designed to cover the costs of caring for a child while recognising the important role you play. The amount you receive will depend on the type of fostering and the needs of the child.

Alongside your allowance, you'll benefit from:

  • Ongoing training and development

  • A dedicated supervising social worker

  • 24-hour support, 365 days a year

  • Regular support groups and guidance

  • Respite opportunities

For more information, visit our Allowances and Benefits page.

More than a career

The greatest reward isn't financial.

It's seeing a child settle into school, build confidence, make friends, celebrate achievements and begin to feel safe again. Foster carers often tell us that these everyday moments are what make fostering so worthwhile.

While fostering comes with challenges, knowing you've made a lasting difference to a child's future is something few careers can offer.

Is fostering right for you?

If you're caring, patient and ready to provide a safe and stable home, fostering could become a fulfilling new career.

Whether you're exploring a career change, thinking about early retirement or looking for a role with real purpose, our team is here to answer your questions and support you every step of the way.

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If you've been thinking about fostering, reach out to us to talk about taking the first step. We're waiting for someone exactly like you!

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What are the roles and responsibilities of foster parents

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many different types of fostering. Each one is unique as the child needing care, and each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. We’ll help you to decide what is the best fit for you. 

  • Short-Term Fostering: Temporary placements, ranging from a few days to a couple of years, until a child can return to their family or move to a permanent home.

  • Long-Term Fostering: Provides a stable home for children who can’t return to their birth family, often lasting until they reach adulthood.

  • Emergency Fostering: Immediate care for children in urgent situations, sometimes overnight or just a few days.

  • Respite Fostering: Short breaks for foster families, ranging from a few hours to a weekend.

  • Parent and Child Fostering: A young parent and their baby live with a foster family.

  • Therapeutic Fostering: Specialised care for children with complex emotional or behavioural needs, often requiring additional training.

  • Teenager Fostering: Supporting young people and helping them transition into adulthood.

  • Sibling Fostering: Keep siblings together in one home to maintain their family bond.

  • Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC): Providing care and stability for children arriving in the UK without a parent or guardian.

When they turn 18, they will officially leave foster care. The local council remains responsible for providing support, such as a personal adviser and a pathway plan.

Foster care includes collaborating with teachers, social workers and counsellors to provide comprehensive support for children.