Barnet Needs
Foster Carer
Can you help a child? and your community?
Supporting Children and Young People in Barnet
Across Barnet, children and young people sometimes need safe and stable homes when they cannot live with their birth families. Foster carers play an essential role in providing stability, care and encouragement during difficult periods in a child’s life.
Like many London boroughs, Barnet currently faces a shortage of foster carers. This means that some children have to move outside their local community to find a suitable home. Having more foster carers living in or near Barnet can help children remain closer to their schools, friends and familiar surroundings.
Greater London Fostering supports foster carers across London, including Barnet, helping them provide safe and nurturing homes for children who need care.
If you are beginning to explore fostering, you may find it helpful to read more about becoming a foster carer.
Fostering in Barnet
Barnet is one of the largest boroughs in London, with communities across areas such as Finchley, Edgware, Hendon, Colindale and Whetstone.
Children from these communities sometimes need foster homes due to changes in family circumstances. When foster carers are available locally, it can help children remain connected to their community, school and support networks.
Foster carers in or near Barnet can make a significant difference by helping children maintain those important connections while providing a safe and supportive home.
You can also learn more about fostering in London by visiting our types of fostering page.
Could You Become a Foster Carer?
Foster carers come from many different backgrounds and professions. Some people have experience working with children, while others bring valuable life experience, patience and empathy.
What matters most is the ability to provide a safe and supportive home environment.
Many foster carers have a spare bedroom and time to support a child, which allows them to care for children who need temporary or longer-term homes.
However, Greater London Fostering is also actively recruiting carers who are able to provide care for babies only. In these situations, a separate spare bedroom may not always be required because babies can sleep in a cot in the foster carer’s bedroom.
This means some households who previously thought they could not foster may still be able to help.
You can read more about eligibility on our foster carer requirements page.
Andrea’s story
“Your most important job is to keep everyone safe. At the end of the placement, when everyone is happier and more positive than when they first arrived, it makes those challenges worth it.
I’ve fostered a number a babies over the years. In particular, one baby was withdrawing from drugs and alcohol, as well as having a disability. You can imagine the joy I felt when he left us, nearly walking – after being told he might never be able to.
I’ve had a great time fostering and if you have the patience and love to give, then go for it.”
How to Become a Foster Carer
Becoming a foster carer involves a structured process designed to help you understand the role and prepare for fostering.
For many people, the first step is simply speaking with our team to ask questions and learn more about fostering.
The process usually includes:
speaking with a member of our recruitment team
an introductory visit to learn more about your household and lifestyle
attending Skills to Foster training, a two-day course introducing fostering
completing a fostering application
a full fostering assessment with a social worker
approval through an independent fostering panel
You can read more about the full process on our becoming a foster carer guide.
Financial Support for Foster Carers
Foster carers receive financial support to help cover the costs involved in caring for a child and to recognise the commitment required.
At Greater London Fostering, carers currently receive:
£479.50 per week to care for a child aged 10 and under
£507.50 per week to care for a child aged 11 and over
This weekly payment includes both the costs involved in caring for a child and a reward element recognising the important role foster carers play.
You can read more about allowances on our foster care payments page.
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.
Taking the First Step Towards Fostering
Many foster carers say the most difficult step was simply making the first enquiry.
Speaking with someone from our team allows you to ask questions, understand the fostering process and explore whether fostering might be right for you.
You can contact our team or arrange a call back at a time that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I foster if I live in Barnet?
Yes. Many foster carers live in Barnet and across North London and provide homes for children from different boroughs. Foster carers help children remain closer to their communities whenever possible.
Do I need a spare bedroom to foster?
In most cases, foster carers need a spare bedroom so the child placed with them has their own private space.
However, Greater London Fostering is currently recruiting carers who are able to care for babies. Because babies sleep in a cot, they can often share the foster carer’s bedroom.
Can I foster a baby without a spare bedroom?
Yes. In some situations carers who are able to care for babies may not need a separate spare bedroom because the baby can sleep in a cot in the foster carer’s bedroom.
How much do foster carers receive?
Foster carers with Greater London Fostering currently receive £479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under and £507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over.
Do I need experience working with children?
No previous professional experience with children is required. Training and ongoing support are provided to help foster carers develop the skills needed.