Fostering with Pride in South Gloucestershire
We welcome people and families from all backgrounds.
Love Makes a Family
At South Gloucestershire Council, we believe that families come in all shapes and sizes. We welcome foster carers from all backgrounds, including the LGBTQI+ community, and we’re proud to celebrate the strength and diversity of our fostering community.
Fostering with Pride in South Gloucestershire means creating safe, supportive, and loving homes for children who need them most. With more than 220 children and young people currently in care, there is an urgent need for compassionate individuals and families to step forward. If you have the time, space, and dedication to make a difference, fostering could be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make.
Diversity and Inclusion in fostering
We value diversity and inclusivity in our fostering service. We welcome applications from individuals and families of all ethnicities, cultures, religions, physical abilities, and sexual orientations. Your identity and life experience can be a powerful asset in supporting a child’s development.
Whether you’re single, partnered, LGBTQ+, or part of any diverse background—you belong in fostering. Children need carers who reflect the world around them. They need homes where they feel safe, accepted, and loved – Wes, Foster Carer
Why Foster with South Gloucestershire?
When you foster with us, you join a professional and compassionate team dedicated to supporting children and young people. Our foster carers benefit from:
- Competitive financial support
- A comprehensive training and development programme
- A dedicated social worker for ongoing support
- A 24-hour support line, seven days a week
- Therapeutic support from our WAYPOINT team
- Peer support through mentoring and monthly support groups
- Support for birth children and foster children
- Regular family-friendly activities and events
- Discounts and benefits at venues across the UK
- Mockingbird Family Model
We are proud members of New Family Social, the UK’s LGBTQ+ fostering and adoption charity. All approved foster families receive free Gold Membership, and pre-approval applicants receive Bronze Membership.
What does a foster carer do?
Foster carers provide more than just a home. They offer stability, care, and guidance to children and young people during challenging times. Responsibilities include:
- Creating a safe and nurturing environment
- Supporting children’s health, education, and emotional wellbeing
- Promoting positive identity, culture, and background
- Helping children maintain important family connections
- Attending meetings and keeping records
- Advocating for the child’s needs
- Participating in ongoing training and development
Can I foster?
To become a foster carer with South Gloucestershire, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom suitable for a young person
- Be able to dedicate time to care for a child or young person
- Be a full-time UK resident or have leave to remain
We have foster carers from a wide range of backgrounds. Whether you are single, married, a homeowner or tenant, your ability to provide a caring home is what matters most.
Start your fostering journey
Becoming a foster carer is a life-changing decision—for you and for the child you welcome into your home. If you are ready to make a difference, we are here to support you every step of the way.
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