Fostering is the process of providing a temporary, safe, and nurturing home for a child or young person who is unable to live with their birth family. Foster carers take on the responsibility of caring for and supporting the child during their time in foster care.

Who can become a foster carer?

Anyone who meets the foster carer requirements can apply to become a foster carer. This includes people from various backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and lifestyles. The most important factor is the ability to provide a safe, stable, and caring environment for a child.

How do I become a foster carer?

To become a foster carer, you need to get in touch with a fostering agency, such as Greater London Fostering, which will guide you through the application and assessment process. This includes background checks, training, and home evaluations.

How long does a foster placement last?

Foster placements can last anywhere from a few days to several months or even years. The length of a placement depends on the child's individual circumstances and the type of fostering arrangement.

Can I choose the age and gender of the child I foster?

Fostering agencies try to match children with the most suitable foster carers based on their skills, experience, and preference. However, being flexible with the age and gender of the child will increase your chances of getting a placement.

How much financial support do foster carers receive?

Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the cost of care, as well as a payment for their professional services. The amount varies depending on factors such as the child's age, the type of placement, and the fostering agency.

Do I need any special qualifications to become a foster carer?

No specific qualifications are required to become a foster carer, but you will need to undergo training provided by your fostering agency. This training ensures you have the skills and knowledge required to provide the best possible care to the child.

Can I work and be a foster carer at the same time?

It is possible to work and be a foster carer, but you need to consider the demands of fostering and whether you can manage both commitments. Some fostering agencies may require you to be available full-time, while others are more flexible.

What support is available to foster carers?

Foster carers receive a wide range of support from their fostering agency, including ongoing training, regular visits from a social worker, access to support groups, and emergency contact numbers for out-of-hours assistance.

What is the difference between fostering and adoption?

Fostering is a temporary arrangement where the primary goal is usually to reunite the child with their birth family or move them to a suitable long-term placement. Adoption is a permanent, legally binding arrangement where the adoptive parents have full parenting rights and responsibilities for the child.

Fostering in London – Greater London Fostering Agency

Become a Foster Carer in London

Right now, children across London need safe, stable homes. Foster carers help them stay connected to their schools, friends and communities during difficult times.
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With the right support, you could make a lasting difference to a child’s life.

Fostering in London with Greater London Fostering

Greater London Fostering is an independent fostering agency supporting carers and children across London.

We work with people from all walks of life who want to provide a safe and stable home for a child who cannot live with their birth family. Our focus is on supporting foster carers properly, building strong relationships, and helping children stay connected to their local communities wherever possible.

If you are exploring fostering, you can learn more about the process of 👉 becoming a foster carer and what the role involves.

Could You Become a Foster Carer?

Foster carers come from many different backgrounds. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, caring and stable home for a child.

You do not need to have worked with children before. Many foster carers bring valuable life experience, patience and a willingness to learn.

In most cases, you will need a spare bedroom. However, Greater London Fostering is actively recruiting foster carers for babies, and in these situations a spare bedroom may not always be required. Babies can often sleep in a cot in the carer’s bedroom.

If you are unsure whether fostering could work for you, we are always happy to talk things through.

To build positive aspirations in every child.

Greater London Fostering was founded by Linda, who has worked in fostering for over 20 years.

Her experience has shaped the way we work as an agency. From the beginning, the focus has been on building strong relationships with foster carers and making sure they feel supported, listened to and confident in their role.

“We know that fostering can be both rewarding and challenging. Having the right support around you makes all the difference. Our aim is to make sure carers never feel on their own.”

This approach continues to guide everything we do, from how we support carers to how we match children with families.

Our Achievements:

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Carers Recruited

150

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Children Placed

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Years Experience

Fostering Across London and the South East

We support foster carers across all areas of London, as well as Essex, Kent and Surrey. Our focus is on helping children stay as close as possible to their schools, friends and communities, providing stability at a time when they need it most.

Across South London, we are recruiting foster carers in Lewisham, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Southwark, Kingston upon Thames and Sutton.

In East London, we are actively looking for foster carers in Newham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Havering.

Across North and Central London, we welcome enquiries from Enfield, Haringey, Barnet, Camden, Islington and City of London.

In West and North West London, we support foster carers in Richmond, Merton, Hounslow, Ealing, Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.

We also support foster carers living in nearby areas of Essex, Kent and Surrey, particularly where they are within travelling distance of London boroughs where children need placements.

If you are considering fostering and would like to understand what this could look like in your area, you can contact us or arrange a call back for an informal conversation.

We have almost 30 years of experience in recruiting, training and supporting foster carers.

Children and teenagers in care need patient, dedicated and supportive carers so they can feel safe and loved.

It’s not always easy, fostering can be challenging, that’s why we make sure all our carers have us their corner.

What We Offer Our Foster Carers

Fostering is an important and rewarding role, but it also comes with responsibility. At Greater London Fostering, we make sure you have the support, guidance and financial stability you need to focus on providing the best possible care for a child.

Ongoing Support

You will be supported throughout your fostering journey by a dedicated supervising social worker who will get to know you and your household. They will be there to offer advice, guidance and practical support whenever you need it.

We also provide ongoing training to help you build confidence and develop your skills over time. In addition, support is available outside of normal working hours, so you are never left to manage challenges on your own.

You can learn more about the role and expectations on our foster carer requirements page.

Financial Support

No one becomes a foster carer for the money, but it is essential that you are financially supported so you can focus fully on caring for a child.

Foster carers with Greater London Fostering receive:

£479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under
£507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over

This payment includes both the cost of caring for a child and a reward element in recognition of your role.

You can view a full breakdown of what is included on our foster care payments page.

“We know that fostering can be both rewarding and challenging, which is why consistent support is so important.”

Linda Norwood

You probably have a lot of questions about fostering.

Luckily we have a lot of experience, so can usually answer them honestly!

We are really happy to have an informal chat with you about fostering, whether you are suitable, and what it’s really like.

So why not arrange a 15 minute call – we promise it will save you several hours of searching the internet for answers, plus we really love talking to people about fostering!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a foster carer if I live in London?

Yes, we support foster carers across all London boroughs as well as parts of Essex, Kent and Surrey. If you live within travelling distance of London, we would be happy to speak with you about fostering.

Do I need a spare bedroom to foster?

In most cases, a spare bedroom is required. However, if you are interested in caring for babies, it may be possible for the baby to sleep in a cot in your bedroom.

Can I foster a baby without a spare room?

Yes, Greater London Fostering is actively recruiting baby foster carers. In these situations, a spare bedroom is not always required, as babies can sleep in a cot in the carer’s room.

How much do foster carers get paid?

Foster carers receive £479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under, and £507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over. This includes both the cost of care and a reward element. You can read more on our foster care payments page.

Do I need experience with children to foster?

No, many foster carers have not worked with children before. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, stable and caring home. We provide training and ongoing support to help you develop the skills you need.

How does the approval process work?

When someone starts thinking about fostering, the first question they normally ask is “how long until I can foster?”

Whilst everyone’s fostering journey is unique, we’ve set out some of the major steps below.

Initial Telephone Call

Give us a call today, and we can answer all your questions about fostering, and your suitability

Home Visit

Within a week of the initial call we'll visit you at home (this might be virtually), to get to know you and your family.

Preparatory Training

You will then attend a 2 day course with us, which helps you explore more the practicalities of fostering

4 Month Assessment

You'll be assigned a social worker who will carry out a fostering assessment on you, which explores your past and motivations to foster.

Success Stories

Jaden said exactly 2 words during the entire first month he was placed with me, now 9 months later I can barely get him to be quiet. He’s a different child who just needed someone to believe in him, and help him work through the tough first few years of his life.