Long-Term Foster Care

Providing stability, care, and a lasting home for children in need.

What is Long-Term fostering?

Long-term fostering is a way to give a child the stability of a loving family home all the way through to adulthood. It’s a chance to be there for them through the ups and downs of growing up, sharing in all the challenges and rewards along the way.

These arrangements typically last at least two years, but most children stay with their foster family until they’re 18. In some cases, young people continue to live with their foster carers due to having built such a strong bond and getting extra support as they step into adulthood.

Unlike short-term fostering, which is more temporary, long-term fostering is a real commitment to building a lasting connection with the child. It’s also different from adoption because you’re not taking on any legal responsibility, but you’re still their everyday support.

If you want to make a life-changing difference without the permanence of adoption, long-term fostering could be for you.

What are the benefits of Long-Term Foster Care?

Long-term fostering is more than just caring for a child; It’s about giving them a home and hope for a brighter future. There are plenty of rewards for both you and the child:

Children get the security of a loving home where they can feel safe and cared for over the years.
You’ll have the chance to form strong, family-like bonds with the child as your relationship deepens over time.
There’s nothing like seeing a child grow, overcome struggles, and reach their potential as a result of your support.
Many young people stay with their foster families past 18, giving them a steady hand as they step into adulthood.
Knowing you’ve been a constant and positive influence in their life is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.

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Am I eligible to be a carer?

Becoming a foster carer means offering a stable and caring home for children who need it most. To ensure each child’s well-being, foster carers need to meet some essential criteria.

You need to be:

At least 21 years old
A UK resident
In good physical and mental health
Have a safe, clean, and comfortable living space with a spare bedroom for the foster child

It is also really important that you have the right character. Our carers are kind, patient, friendly, dedicated, and mature enough to handle the demands of the role.

How to become a Long-Term foster carer?

Speak with Us

The first step is to get in touch! We’ll have a chat to learn more about you, answer your questions, and explain what long-term fostering involves. This is your chance to find out if fostering is the right fit for you.

Home Visit

Next, we’ll arrange a visit to your home. Don’t worry - it’s not about perfection! We’ll check that your home is safe and has enough space for a child, and we’ll talk more about what fostering looks like day-to-day.

Application Form

If you’re ready to move forward, you’ll fill out an application form. This gives us all the important details about you, your family, and your background so we can get the ball rolling.

Checks and References

As fostering is such an important role, we’ll carry out thorough checks, including a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and speak with your references. This is to make sure everything is in place to support you and the child you’ll care for.

Fostering Training

Before you welcome a child into your home, you’ll attend our fostering training sessions. These are designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to provide the best care possible.

Panel Interview

The final step is meeting our fostering panel. This is a chance for us to discuss your application and for you to share why you want to foster. If approved, you’ll officially be ready to start your journey as a long-term foster carer!

Enquire about fostering

Book a call and one of our fostering advisors will call you back

Book a fostering call

Benefits and allowances

When you choose to foster, you’ll receive benefits and allowances designed to cover the costs of care and recognise the incredible work you do. We’re proud to offer a competitive rate that ensures you’re fully supported in providing the best possible care.

Your allowance covers essentials like food, clothing, and household bills to meet the child’s needs, as well as additional expenses for any special requirements the children might have.

Alongside your financial allowance, you’ll have access to regular training and round-the-clock support from our team to help you feel confident and prepared.

If you’d like to learn more about how your allowances and benefits are calculated, we’re always here to talk it through!