Becoming a foster carer in the Home Counties

With your support and guidance, they’ll get the life they deserve.

Would you believe there are over 4,000 foster families across the Home Counties? That’s a huge difference people like you are making to the lives of vulnerable young people. To start changing lives too, join our community. It’s rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

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Thousands of people across the Home Counties have opened their homes to a child in need – could you be one of them? By becoming an NFA foster carer, you’re making the decision to give a caring home to a vulnerable young person, and it could be the most rewarding choice you’ve ever made.

Wherever you’re based in the Home Counties, be it Essex, Kent or Berkshire, you can make a real difference to a young person by choosing to become a foster carer. Our experts are here to help you make that initial first step towards fostering, and are always happy to answer any questions and concerns you might have.

You can sign up now or ask questions about who you can foster, whether you’re fostering material, or anything else to do with fostering in the Home Counties. Call our local expert today on 0808 284 9215 or fill in the form and we’ll call you back.

We can’t wait to help you start your foster family.

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Where you’ll find us

Becoming an NFA foster carer means you can access our extensive fostering support network no matter where you’re based in the Home Counties. From training programmes to support groups, a helping hand is never far away – so you can enjoy complete peace of mind from the very start of your foster care journey.

We support hundreds of hard-working foster families across the Home Counties, delivering ongoing support and guidance to help them thrive as a dedicated foster carer. Training is available at our regional learning centres, while you can also gain support and advice at our networking group centres – a place for you to meet like-minded foster families in your local area.

As well as in-person foster training and support provision, you can access help whenever you need it on our 24/7 support line – just another way we help our Home Counties foster carers excel at caring for vulnerable young people.

Take a look at the map to find local foster care services in the Home Counties.

Offices

Training venues

Support group centres

Are you fostering material?

Find out if starting a foster family in the Home Counties is for you by taking our quiz. Whether you have formal qualifications or not, and no matter what your cultural background is, you could be the kind of person hundreds of children need.

Begin by answering yes or no to five quick questions.

Take the quiz

You’re perfect!

You’re not quite ready yet

It sounds like you’ve got the love to give and the time to spare. So we’d love to invite you to start your journey as a foster carer with us.

You need to be able to answer ‘yes’ to all the questions in our quiz to become a foster carer. Get in touch for some friendly advice about making the necessary changes to start your journey with us

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What would you like to know?

We’ll always be by your side to help you with anything we can. To find straightforward answers to your questions, read our FAQs below or call us on 0808 284 9215 to talk to your local expert about fostering in the Home Counties.

Where do I need to go for training?

Most of our foster care training takes place in Luton, Reading and Welwyn, and support groups are everywhere from Milton Keynes to Oxford.

Your first training course, ‘Skills to Foster’, covers everything you need to know about becoming a foster carer. If you want to specialise in caring for young people with more specific needs, we’ll give you additional training too.

Can I take a foster child on holiday with me?

Provided their social worker gives you the thumbs-up, you sure can. It can really help make your foster child feel like a part of the family.

Remember that, if you plan to go abroad, immigration issues might need to be considered. But otherwise you’re good to go. We can’t wait for your stories.

Do foster children have to change schools?

It’s best if your foster child stays in the school they know so they have continuity with the life they’re used to.It’s your job to get them there on time.

Sometimes, a fresh start in a new place is healthy. So if they stay with you for a long time, you can propose a change of schools to your local authority and the child’s social worker.

How does Reward Club work?

When new foster carers sign up because you suggested they should, we give you points towards special treats.

It’s up to you and your foster children what you do with them. You could go shopping in town or save for a day out you won’t forget.

What if I’m already a foster carer?

You can switch to fostering with the NFA with very little hassle. It just takes a bit of work from us, you, and the foster care agency you’re with at the minute.

We’ll gladly give you all the advice you need about making it as smooth a change as possible. Simply give your local expert a call.

0800 044 3030

What’s it like to be a foster family?

You’ll be blown away by the difference foster carers like you make to the children they care for. Here’s collection of stories from the Home Counties and the rest of the UK that prove it.