Find out if you could be a foster carer
In a few simple questions, you’ll know if you’re suitable to apply to become a foster carer.
Scores of children need fostering in Stoke-on-Trent and across the Midlands. We welcome applications from people who are new to fostering, as well as transfers from experienced foster carers.
If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, choose a fostering agency with local teams who will be with you every step.
National Fostering Group is the largest independent fostering agency in the UK with superb agency coverage across all regions – meaning you have the support of a team close to you.
One of the most established agencies for fostering in Stoke-on-Trent, we work with local authorities to place children and young people in homes where they can thrive.
As a foster carer with us, you’ll have unparalleled access to professional support and excellent free training in your area. We want you to thrive too, being the best you can be in your role as foster carer.
On top of this, carers who are fostering in Stoke-on-Trent have a large and active peer network that includes more than a dozen local support groups.
Our fostering agency covers the East and West Midlands, with offices in Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire so we can provide accessible support within a 20 minute drive. Fostering Solutions Midlands serves a large and geographical area and has local support groups in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, as well as Birmingham, Derby and Nottingham.
Our average foster carer pay is around £24,500 a year (£2,040 on average per month), which is far higher than the government’s recommended weekly allowance. For most foster carers in Stoke-on-Trent, this will be tax free! Some types of fostering placement pay more than £35,000 a year. Foster carer pay doesn’t affect state benefits you’re currently receiving.
My husband and I have been with National Fostering Group for over 2 years. From the very start, we felt part of the group.
The referrals were great and we did get a lot of them - at times 4 or 5 a day. But working with the team, it helped us decide on the perfect child for our family.
Training courses run through out the year except school holidays and I have been to a lot and have learnt so much. It also gives you a chance to discuss any problems or help you may need.
If you think you’d like to become a foster carer in Stoke-on-Trent, your next step is to have a chat. You can book a call by using our enquiry form. After this, if you decide to go ahead with an application, this usually takes around 16 weeks and we’ll help you every step of the way. We’ll help you decide what types of fostering you want to do and we’ll even get you started with foster carer training.
We are actively looking for foster carers in Stoke-on-Trent. We welcome people from ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, physical abilities and the LGBT+ community. You can be single, married, a homeowner or a tenant. Your ability to care for and nurture a child is what really matters. If you’ve worked in sectors like education, the emergency services, care or healthcare, you’ll be especially suited to this role.
Dozens of children and young people are awaiting foster parents in Stoke-on-Trent. National Fostering Group has local offices that support foster carers across Midlands locations including Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Birmingham and every town in between.
I love the support groups. Meeting up with other foster carers and sharing experiences, sharing advice with those going through the same thing as you, it really helps.
Our foster carers come from all walks of life. With training, support and a generous fostering allowance, they provide homes where children can thrive and experience the childhood they deserve. More than 9,000 new foster carers are needed UK-wide to provide homes for children in need of a foster family. If you’re thinking of becoming a foster carer, now’s the time.
Source: The Fostering Network
Around 7,070 children live with a foster family in the West Midlands. There are approximately 45,370 fostering households and 76,640 foster carers in England.
Sources: Department for Education, Ofsted