Becoming a foster carer

There is a need for thousands more foster carers across the UK. If you would like to become a foster carer, you can find a wealth of information on our dedicated website Could You Foster. We also have a free resource list directing you to more resources about becoming a foster carer along with other general resources about becoming a foster carer such as FAQs.

When you are ready to apply to become a foster carer, you need to choose which fostering service you would like to apply to as you can only be registered with one at a time. There are a range of fostering services to choose from including Local Authority fostering services (your local council) and the Independent Fostering Providers (known as IFPs). Some IFPs are charities while others are not for profit companies and some are for profit companies. Each fostering service is different in terms of the support that they offer and sometimes in terms of the placements that they offer. It is important that you choose the right fostering service for you so do contact several in your local area to find the right fit for you. You can find details of fostering services that are members of the Fostering Network in our Find a Fostering Service search.