Ealing Needs You: Become a Foster Carer
With GLF your local fostering agency
Across the London Borough of Ealing, children and young people sometimes need a safe and stable place to live when they cannot remain with their birth families. Foster carers play a vital role in providing care, encouragement and stability during what can often be a very difficult period in a child’s life.
Like many boroughs across London, Ealing continues to face a shortage of foster carers. When local carers are not available, children may have to move further away from their schools, friends and communities. Becoming a foster carer can help children remain closer to the places and people that matter most to them.
Greater London Fostering works with carers across London, including those living in Ealing and the surrounding boroughs, helping to provide nurturing homes where children can feel safe and supported.
If you are exploring fostering for the first time, you can learn more about the process on our becoming a foster carer page.
Fostering in Ealing
Ealing is one of West London’s largest and most diverse boroughs, with communities across areas such as Acton, Southall, Northolt, Greenford and Hanwell. Families across the borough sometimes experience circumstances that mean children need temporary or longer-term care outside their birth families.
When children are able to remain close to their local area, it can make a significant difference to their wellbeing. Staying near their school, friends and community can help children feel more settled during what can otherwise be a challenging transition.
Foster carers in Ealing help provide this stability. They offer a supportive home environment where children can feel safe and begin to rebuild confidence.
You can learn more about what fostering involves on our fostering a child page.
Who Can Become a Foster Carer?
Foster carers come from many different backgrounds and professions. Some people have experience working with children, while others simply have the patience, empathy and stability needed to support a young person.
What matters most is the ability to provide a safe and supportive home environment.
In many cases, foster carers have a spare bedroom so the child placed with them has their own space. However, Greater London Fostering is also actively recruiting carers who are able to 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 believed fostering was not possible may still be able to help.
You can learn more about eligibility on our foster carer requirements page.
The Journey to Becoming a Foster Carer
For many people, the most difficult step is simply making the first enquiry. Once you begin the process, you will be guided through each stage and supported throughout.
The journey typically begins with a conversation with our recruitment team where you can ask questions and learn more about the role. If you decide to move forward, you will attend Skills to Foster training, a two-day course designed to introduce the responsibilities and realities of fostering.
A full fostering assessment then takes place with a supervising social worker before approval through an independent fostering panel. The process is designed to ensure both carers and children receive the right support for successful placements.
You can read more about the full process on our fostering 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
These payments include both the costs of caring for the child and a reward element recognising the role foster carers play.
You can read more about fostering payments on our foster care money page.
We asked our carer Jacqui, what's the best thing about fostering?
“We live in West London and wanted to help children locally who needed stability. Fostering has been incredibly rewarding, and the support we receive from GLF means we always feel supported.”
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.
Support for Foster Carers
Foster carers are never expected to manage alone. Ongoing support is a central part of fostering and helps carers feel confident in their role.
Greater London Fostering provides:
a dedicated supervising social worker
ongoing training and professional development
regular supervision and support meetings
a network of other foster carers
24-hour support when needed
You can learn more about our organisation and approach on the About Greater London Fostering page.
Areas in Ealing That Need Foster Carers
Foster carers are needed across the London Borough of Ealing, including communities such as:
Acton
Southall
Northolt
Greenford
Hanwell
West Ealing
Having carers across these areas helps children remain closer to their schools, communities and support networks.
Taking the First Step
Many foster carers say the hardest step was simply making the first enquiry. Speaking with someone from our team can help you understand the fostering process and explore whether fostering might be right for you.
You can contact our team or arrange a call back to learn more about fostering in Ealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I foster if I live in Ealing?
Yes. Many foster carers live in Ealing and surrounding boroughs and provide homes for children from across London.
Do I need a spare bedroom to foster?
In most situations a spare bedroom is required so the child placed with you has their own space.
However carers who foster babies may not always need a separate room because babies can sleep in a cot in the foster carer’s bedroom.
Can I foster a baby without a spare bedroom?
Yes. Some carers who care for babies may not need a separate bedroom because the baby can sleep in a cot in the foster carer’s room.
How much do foster carers receive?
Greater London Fostering currently pays £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 is required. Training and ongoing support are provided.