Foster with Staffordshire

If you are based in Staffordshire and interested in becoming a foster carer, then look no further than your local authorities fostering agency, Foster for Staffordshire.

We want you to foster with us

Being a foster carer is extremely rewarding, however that doesn’t mean it’s not a challenge. We believe that for you to provide the best possible care and support for your foster child, we need to provide you with the fostering support you need.

Why should you foster with Staffordshire County Council?

Fostering with Staffordshire County Council is different because we are a trusted, not for profit organisation with a wealth of experience and expertise in supporting families and communities.

We make the decisions about where all the children in Staffordshire who need a foster carer are placed and we prioritise our in house foster carers first before contacting private fostering agencies.

We make sure that you’re fully prepared and supported to become a foster carer and ready to meet the needs of different children.

Support designed for you.

You’ll undertake tailored training written and developed by our fostering engagement team before you’re approved, and we’ll continue to support you to develop your professional skills with training throughout your fostering career. We offer over 70 training courses with subject areas including Therapeutic Parenting, Attachment, Brain Development and Positive Psychology as well as access to additional on-line courses through AC Education. We offer over 16 support groups taking place across Staffordshire so there is sure to be one near to you.

Mentoring scheme

New foster carers with Staffordshire County Council will be matched with a mentor. Mentors are experienced foster carers who understand the challenges and questions new foster carers face. 

Extra benefits

  • additional allowances for children’s birthdays, Christmas, and summer holidays
  • £500 referral fee for approved foster carers who refer a friend or family member 
  • free children’s events throughout the year
  • free foster carer events including a summer BBQ, Christmas Fair, Long Service Awards and Forums
  • children that foster group for your own children during school holidays
  • free membership with the Fostering Network, this membership includes discounts on some UK attractions and products and support such as legal expenses cover and a 24/7 helpline service for approved foster carers
  • free membership with New Family Social who provide support to LGBTQ+ foster carers and adopters
  • access to Vivup, a benefits platform and a one-stop-shop for all of the health and wellbeing support we offer
  • eligible to apply for a Blue Light Card  and Discounts for Carers  who offer discounts on days out, every day items and holidays amongst other things. 

Enquire about joining our fostering family today and we'll send you our information pack.

Enquire now Transfer to us

What is foster care?

Foster care offers children and young people a family and home while their own family are unable to look after them. This can be for a variety of unfortunate reasons, from illness, abuse within their home, or the death of a primary carer.

Foster care isn’t easy for the foster carer or foster child, but it offers the opportunity to make a huge difference to the life of a young person or child that needs it. Being a foster carer can be a very rewarding experience if you’re passionate about caring for children and young people… and have a spare bedroom!

If you’re thinking about fostering, discover what it takes to become a foster carer with Foster for Staffordshire.

Enquire about becoming a foster carer

If you are interested in fostering, the best place to start is a chat with a member of our team on 0800 169 2061 or complete our online enquiry form below.

We’ll tell you all about the different types of fostering, give you some information about the assessment process and the type of people we look for when looking for foster carers.

If you decide that you’d like to foster with Foster for Staffordshire after our chat, we'll then arrange for a member of the team to visit you at home and carry out an initial visit. 

Following the visit we will ask you to complete an application form, and a social worker will be assigned to begin an assessment as to whether you are suitable to become a foster carer and for which type of fostering you are best suited to.

Latest news

Fostering recruitment team goes on tour

Fostering recruitment team goes on tour

Description
The fostering recruitment team will be traveling around the county to promote the need for more foster carers.
Private Fostering Week 2023

Private Fostering Week 2023

Description
Private Fostering Week takes place each year and reminds people that they need to let the local authority know if they are looking after somebody else's child who is not a close relative for more than 28 days.