Foster a child
Find out what it's like to foster a child.
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being there — every day — and helping a child feel safe again.”
Fostering a child is about more than providing a place to stay. It’s about offering stability, care, and support during a time when a child may be feeling uncertain or unsettled.
Every fostering experience is different, but at its heart, fostering is about helping a child feel safe, valued, and supported.
Stop thinking, and start doing - that's my biggest piece of advice.
What Does Fostering a Child Involve?
Fostering a child means welcoming them into your home and supporting them in their day-to-day life.
This can include:
- helping them get ready for school
- providing meals and routines
- supporting homework and activities
- attending appointments or meetings
- offering reassurance and emotional support
For many children, these everyday routines are what help them begin to feel safe and settled.
Building Trust and Stability
Children who come into care may have experienced uncertainty or change. As a result, building trust can take time.
Foster carers help by:
- providing consistent routines
- being patient and understanding
- creating a calm and predictable home environment
Trust isn’t built overnight, but small, steady moments — a conversation, a shared meal, a sense of routine — can make a lasting difference.
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 you it will save you several hours of searching the internet for answers, plus, we really love talking to people about fostering.
Supporting a Child’s Development
Foster carers play an important role in helping children grow and develop.
This might involve:
- supporting education and school attendance
- encouraging hobbies and interests
- helping build confidence and independence
Where possible, children are supported to stay in their local area, so they can remain connected to their school, friends, and community.
Working as Part of a Team
Foster carers are part of a wider support network around the child.
This can include:
- social workers
- teachers and schools
- healthcare professionals
- sometimes the child’s birth family
Working together helps ensure the child receives consistent care and support.
The Challenges of Fostering
Fostering can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to be honest — it can also be challenging at times.
Some challenges can include:
- helping a child manage difficult emotions
- adjusting to new routines
- uncertainty about how long a child will stay
- saying goodbye when a placement ends
These moments are part of the role, and foster carers are supported throughout.
The Rewards of Fostering
Alongside the challenges, there are many meaningful and rewarding moments.
Foster carers often talk about:
- seeing a child begin to relax and feel safe
- small achievements at school
- shared everyday moments — laughter, conversations, routines
- knowing they have made a difference in a child’s life
Progress is often gradual, but it can be incredibly powerful.
Support for Foster Carers
You are never expected to do this on your own.
At Greater London Fostering, carers receive:
- a dedicated supervising social worker
- 24/7 support and guidance
- training through Skills to Foster
- ongoing support and development
Support continues throughout your fostering journey.
You can learn more about the process here:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/becoming-a-foster-carer/
Financial Support For Foster Carers
People don’t become foster carers because of the money. They do it to make a difference in a child’s life.
But it’s equally true that fostering needs to be financially manageable, so that carers can focus fully on providing stability and care.
Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to support them in their role.
At Greater London Fostering, this is currently:
£479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under
£507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over
This payment is made up of two parts. The first is to cover the day-to-day costs of caring for a child, such as food, clothing, activities, and household expenses. The second is a professional reward, recognising the time, commitment, and responsibility involved in fostering.
Foster carers are not expected to manage financially on their own. Alongside the weekly allowance, you will also receive guidance, training, and ongoing support to help you feel confident in your role.
For many people, fostering becomes both a meaningful way to support children and a sustainable role within their household.
If you would like to explore this in more detail, you can read more here:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/foster-care-money/
Could You Foster a Child?
Foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds.
You don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers — what matters is your ability to provide a stable, caring environment.
In most cases, you will need a spare bedroom. However, if you are interested in caring for babies:
- a spare bedroom is not always required
- babies can sleep in a cot in your bedroom
Greater London Fostering is actively recruiting baby-only foster carers.
You can read more here:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/foster-carer-requirements/
Take the First Step
If you’re thinking about fostering, the first step is simply having a conversation.
There’s no pressure and no obligation — just an opportunity to learn more.
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/contact-us/
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/lp/arrange-a-call-back/
FAQs
What does fostering a child involve day to day?
Fostering involves providing daily care, including routines, school support, meals, and emotional reassurance.
Is fostering a child difficult?
It can be challenging at times, particularly when supporting children through change, but carers receive ongoing support and training.
Do foster carers work with other professionals?
Yes. Foster carers work closely with social workers, schools, and other professionals to support the child.
Can I choose the age of the child I foster?
Yes. During the assessment process, you can discuss what age range and type of fostering suits you best.
Do I need a spare bedroom to foster?
In most cases yes, although for baby fostering this is not always required.