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Fostering allows children who no longer live with their birth families to have a loving, safe and supportive home to help them reach their full potential.

Sometimes children can no longer live with the birth family for various reasons. When the courts make these decisions, other arrangements need to be made for children. One option for children is to live with foster carers. Foster carers are adults who provide temporary to long-term care in a safe and stable family environment, and they are responsible for taking care of the child or children day to day.

Fostering is a challenging and rewarding experience that gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in the life of a child who needs foster care. You can help them to feel loved, safe and supported, to help them reach their full potential.

Fostering is so important for many children in the UK. Every child has a unique history, and every family faces difficulties - but through the loving care of foster carers, children can have great successes and opportunities. 

Depending on your circumstances and availability, the length of care can vary. It can range from short-term care, which could be a couple of days, to a long-term arrangement until the child or young person reaches 18 years of age. Whatever you choose, you’ll be making a real difference during some of the hardest moments in a child’s life.

What is a foster carer?

The role of a foster carer is to provide temporary care in a secure and nurturing environment for a child or young person under-18, while their birth family works towards resolving the issues that led to the child's reason to be placed in care.

Foster carers take the roles and responsibilities of a parent to provide the young person with a safe, family home with care, support and compassion. It requires patience, understanding, and a commitment to meeting the child's needs.

You must be willing to open your home to vulnerable young people and provide them with the best care to grow and thrive. Foster carers must be responsible for the young person’s needs and welfare, providing a home, clothing, education, hobbies, and healthcare and giving love, understanding, support, and guidance. 

Foster carers are patient, have a sense of humour, are optimistic and enthusiastic, have a flexible approach, and have a genuine wish to make a positive difference in a young person’s life. Our foster carers:

  • should be patient, understanding, and able to provide a caring and stable environment for the child.
  • ensure any child you care for attends school regularly, and encourage their learning and growth, aiding with homework and other school-related activities.
  • must meet the child's basic needs including providing food, clothing, shelter, and medical care as needed.
  • be patient, kind, and ready to handle tricky times with care and understanding.
  • help any child stay connected with their birth family where possible.
  • be part of the community, work with social workers and other professionals, go to meetings, and keep track of their progress to ensure the child’s needs are met.
  • join training sessions to grow as a foster carer and be the best you can be
  • keep accurate records of the child's care, including medical appointments, school attendance, and other important information.

Your skills and life experience will be invaluable resources during your foster-caring career. Sometimes, you may not realise you have the qualities needed to foster, but you will be surprised how everyday life has equipped you with transferable skills. 

If you decide to become a foster carer with Foster4Leeds, you will receive comprehensive training and support to help you develop the skills needed to do this challenging and rewarding role. You will also receive an allowance and fee to cover the cost of caring for children and young people.

What’s the difference between fostering and adoption?

If you’ve been looking into fostering, you might be wondering, “How is fostering different from adoption?” While both involve giving children a home, they’re quite different in what they mean for you and the child.

Adoption is a forever arrangement. An adopted child becomes a permanent part of your family, just like if they were born to you. You take on all the legal rights and responsibilities for them for life.

Fostering is more like being a helping hand for a while. It’s usually temporary, giving a child a safe place to stay while plans are made for their long-term future. The local authority and birth family keeps legal responsibility for the child, so you can give them a home without the long-term commitment of adoption.

Both are beautiful ways to make a difference; it’s just about what feels right for you.