Find out about fostering
Request an information pack or come along to one of our local fostering events.
Want to find out more about fostering with us? On this page you can request a Fostering Information Pack and see a list of our upcoming fostering information events in South Gloucestershire.
Upcoming events
Request an information pack
Ready to learn more? Fill out the form below to receive an information pack.
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Frequently Asked Questions about fostering
There are many different types of fostering that you can choose to specialise in including, short-term, long-term, emergency, short-break and specialist like parent and child and therapeutic. Find out more about the types of fostering.
Foster South Glos is South Gloucestershire Council‘s fostering service. We lead on foster care recruitment, training and support for the local authority. We’re part of Children’s Services and corporate parents for children and young people who are in care in South Gloucestershire.
There are some criteria that you will need to meet:
– be at least 21 years old
– have a spare bedroom
– be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain
– be able to give the time to care for a child or young person, often on a full-time basis
– provide a safe and stable home environment
If you are unsure if fostering is for you, we can put you in touch with other foster carers so you can hear what’s it’s like from people already doing it.
South Gloucestershire Council foster carers get the following support:
– A generous weekly financial package to support with the costs of caring for a foster child
– Extensive training and development opportunities
– Regular fun social events for the whole family
– Out of hours support that gives you access to a social worker, 24 hours a day, every day of the year
– Access to our WAYPOINT therapeutic service
– Our Mockingbird programme, a support model based on foster carers in the group helping each other with stay over
care, peer support, joint planning, training and social activities
Becoming a foster carer involves a thorough assessment process. The steps involved include:
– Home visit
– Application
– Pre-approval training
– Fostering assessment
– Fostering panel
– Decision
– Approval
The process can vary in length depending on your individual circumstances and experience, but normally around six months. Our team will support you all the way. Read our blog post Becoming a foster carer, your journey to approval for more information.
That’s great news! Fill in this form, or call 01454 866423 and someone will be in touch.