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.

Greater London Fostering | Train As A Foster Carer With Us

London’s 'Outstanding' Fostering Agency

We are Greater London Fostering, a family run fostering agency dedicated to recruiting and supporting foster families within London.

One of the key aspects of our work is our dedication to finding the perfect match between children and foster carers. We thoroughly assess the requirements and skills of potential carers, ensuring they have the necessary qualities to provide the care and support children need, then find them the right child to care for..

Moreover, we are committed to providing ongoing training and support for our foster carers. We also assist them in navigating the fostering process, from understanding the financial aspects to learning about fostering a child. Our expert team is always available for guidance and support to help foster carers succeed in their role.

For more information on joining London's fostering agency, contact us today and find out how you can make a difference in a child's life.

To build positive aspirations in every child.

Hi, I'm Linda, and I started GLF for one reason – to improve the lives of children in care.

All these years later, this is still the driving force, and something all our foster carers and staff believe in.

Founded in 1998, Greater London Fostering (GLF) has over 2 decades of experience in recruiting, training, and supporting foster carers. We are one of the top Independent Fostering Agencies in London, currently working with over 140 foster families and around 160 foster children. Over the years, we have created a strong, supportive fostering community that empowers foster carers to provide the best possible care for children in need.

Our team is dedicated to helping potential foster carers through the entire process, starting with understanding the foster carer requirements and assessing their suitability to match with children in need of foster care. We also provide ongoing training and support to ensure our carers have the necessary skills and resources to succeed in their role.

By choosing to work with GLF, you become part of our fostering community and contribute to making a real difference in the lives of children in care. Learn more about how to get involved or contact us to start your fostering journey today.

Our Achievements:

+

Carers Recruited

150

+

Children Placed

+

Years Experience

We have over 20 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:

Ongoing training
24/7 support
Financial support – all our carers receive £462 per week to care for a child under 11, and £490 for a child 11+
Events (every school holiday for all the family)
A significant contribution to your monthly council tax bill

Would you like to join our community for foster carers?

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!

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 suitibility

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.

London’s 'Outstanding' Fostering Agency

We Find Amazing People And Train Them To Be Foster Carers

Provide Them With Excellent 24/7 Support & Advice

Which Results In Fantastic Outcomes For Children