Local council fostering: could it work for you?

Every 20 minutes another child comes into care needing a foster family in the UK. While it’s a big decision, understanding what’s involved in fostering is the first step in seeing whether it could be right for you and your family.

Organisations like Fostering South West work with local councils across the region to help people understand whether fostering could work for them, offering clear information, local insight and support from the very first conversation.

What is fostering?

Fostering is when you care for a child or young person who can’t live with their birth family for a time, often during periods of crisis such as illness, family breakdown or safety concerns. For children, foster care provides stability, routine and a sense of security when life feels uncertain.

Many people rule out fostering based on assumptions, i.e that fostering is only for families with children of their own, that you need specialist childcare experience or that you can only commit to long-term placements. These are common misconceptions. Fostering can be flexible, well supported and shaped around what you’re able to offer. 

Fostering isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can work around many different lives and circumstances. What matters most isn’t a ‘perfect’ home, but having the time, patience and emotional space to offer consistent care.

The need for foster carers is significant. According to recent government data, around 56,400 children were living with foster families in England at the end of March 2025, including more than 6,000 across the South West. In Wiltshire alone, the council shares that there are around 460 looked-after children, with an ongoing need for more local carers, particularly for older children and teenagers, so young people can stay close to their schools, friends and support networks.

To hear from foster carers themselves, the Mumsnet Fostering Forum is a useful place to read real experiences and ask questions.

Who can foster in the UK?

One of the biggest myths about fostering is that there’s a strict checklist you have to fit but, in reality, there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ foster carer. According to Fostering South West, anyone can ask “Can I foster?” and the answer isn’t defined by marital status, whether you already have children, or your job title. At its heart, fostering is about having the time, patience and emotional space to care for a child.

Here’s what councils typically consider when assessing eligibility:

• Age: You must be over 18 (some councils prefer 21+), with no upper age limit.

• Life stage or personal circumstances: You can foster if you’re single, in a couple, renting or owning your home, working, or retired.

• Health and capacity: Councils look at your physical and emotional wellbeing, support network, and ability to care for a child day to day. Your life stage isn’t the focus - your ability to offer warmth, stability and consistency is.

• Home setup: You don’t need a large home, and you don’t need to own it. Your home should be a safe, suitable space for a child.

• Driving and transport: Not all councils require foster carers to drive, but it can be helpful. You’ll need to consider how children get to school, appointments and family contact, whether by car or public transport.

What Mumsnet users say

“As long as you have a spare room and meet all the training needs and can provide a safe loving home for a child you would be approved, without having your own child.” DramaQueenlady

“I foster and know foster carers who don't have birth children. It's not a barrier to becoming a foster carer.” Seawolves

Why should I foster through my local council?

Due to a shortage of local placements, more than 3,000 children in care in England are placed over 100 miles from their home often with Independent Fostering Agencies. Fostering through your local council comes with several benefits, particularly when it comes to local support and long-term planning for children. These include:

• Local knowledge and community support: Councils can match you with children close to their schools, friends, and support networks.

• Regular check-ins and reviews: Social workers provide ongoing guidance and help you navigate challenges.

• Access to training and peer networks: Attend sessions and meet other foster carers to share advice and experiences.

• Stability and long-term planning for children: Councils focus on building consistent placements for long-term security.

• Not-for-profit focus: Councils prioritise children’s welfare over financial gain.

If you’re thinking about fostering, Fostering South West works with local councils, and can help you understand what fostering involves and what support is available near you.

What are the different types of foster placements in the UK?

When it comes to fostering, there are many options available. The type of placement you offer can depend on what works for you and what a child needs:

• Short-term fostering: Caring for a child for a few days, weeks, or months, often while longer-term plans are being made.

• Long-term fostering: Providing a stable, ongoing home for a child who can’t return to their birth family for an extended period.

• Emergency fostering: Being ready to step in at short notice for children in urgent need or providing a break for another foster family.

• Parent and child placements: Some carers support young parents and their babies together, helping the parent develop skills while a child has a safe environment (not all fostering services offer this).

Flexibility is key. Some carers focus on short-term or emergency care, while others prefer long-term placements or particular age groups. Being honest about what you can offer helps councils match you with a child who suits your household and lifestyle.

Fostering South West can help you think through which type of placement might suit your lifestyle, availability and experience.

What Mumsnet users say

“Although most people will tell you it's better if you can foster full time, the reality is lots of foster carers do work alongside fostering as everyone has to make ends meet. However it's not so much the number of hours that are the issue as the need for flexibility. [...]” Upminster12

“Definitely start with [...] short breaks. It's a great way to get started. I sit on fostering panels and wish many carers would start this way to get an idea of what they might have to deal with. [...]” ApolloandDaphne

Can I foster in the UK with a job, children or other commitments?

Yes, you can. It’s normal to wonder how fostering will fit around your work, family or a busy life, but many carers manage it successfully.

• Fostering while working: Full-time employment doesn’t automatically rule you out. Many councils and fostering agencies work with carers to create schedules that balance visits, training and the child’s needs with your job.

• Fostering with your own children or as a single carer: It’s possible to foster even if you have birth children or are parenting alone. There can be challenges - extra time, emotional energy, and household logistics - but agencies provide guidance, support networks and respite options to help families manage.

• Support and flexibility: Fostering requires commitment, but with planning and agency support, carers with jobs, families or other responsibilities successfully provide loving, stable homes for children in need.

What Mumsnet users say

“I was a full-time secondary teacher and [my husband] also worked full time but with some flexibility in working start times. We fostered a child long term from five years, and he will be 18 in July. I only gave up teaching when he was 13. We used the after-school club and I was home during the school holidays.” caringcarer

What support do foster carers receive financially and emotionally in the UK?

Fostering is rewarding and it’s not something you’re expected to manage on your own. Local councils provide ongoing support to help you navigate challenges and ensure you and the child in your care have what you need throughout your fostering journey.

Financial support

Foster carers receive a fostering allowance, which is there to cover a child’s day-to-day needs, i.e food, clothing, school trips, and activities. It’s not personal income, but a way to make sure the child in your care has everything they need. 

There may also be extra payments for specific needs, such as health or education. Your local council will provide clear guidance and support, so you always know what’s available to help you and the child in your care.

If finances are one of your concerns, the UK government explains the financial support available to foster carers, so you can see what help is in place. Fostering South West also provides clear information on fostering allowances and what they’re intended to cover.

Emotional and practical support

Fostering isn’t just about providing a home for a child, it’s also about offering emotional care. Many children come into care with experiences of trauma, separation or attachment difficulties, which can make the first days or weeks unpredictable. To help, councils and fostering agencies offer:

• Training and preparation before a child arrives

• Ongoing guidance and regular visits from social workers

• Access to peer networks where carers share experiences and advice

• Practical help for routines, behaviour, and school life

Being prepared at home, having a support network, and knowing who to turn to can make fostering a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved. If support is one of your biggest questions, Fostering South West can explain exactly what help is available from local councils, from allowances to training and emotional support.

What Mumsnet users say

“The government sets payments based on the weekly cost to look after a child. It increases by age. Local authorities may add a professional fee in addition to this, based on the skills of the foster carer or if the needs of the child require specialist care. There is usually additional allowance paid for the child’s birthday, holiday and religious occasions.” Formby

“My friends foster. It can be life-changing for these kids. Some have terrible trauma and can be difficult, but they are desperate for stability. You get lots of training and hopefully good support. [...]” Restaurantcritic 

What steps are involved in the fostering process? 

1. Enquire about fostering or attend an information session

• Contact Fostering South West to ask questions.

• Enquiring is non-binding - you can explore the idea without committing and step away at any point if it doesn’t feel right.

• Take part in informal chats or open days to meet foster carers and hear about real-life experiences.

• These sessions give a realistic view of day-to-day fostering.

2. Discuss your suitability

• Social workers talk through your life, availability, and motivations.

• This helps both you and the fostering team see what types of placements might work best.

3. Complete assessment and training

• Undertake preparation training, home visits, and checks.

  • Preparation training covers fostering basics, child development, and attachment.

  • Home visits ensure your space is safe and suitable.

  • References and background checks are completed.

• This process leads to your approval as a foster carer.

4. Match with a child

• Approved carers are paired with children whose needs align with their household.

• Social workers provide detailed information about the child’s background and routines.

• Support continues throughout the placement, from the child’s move-in to ongoing care.

Considering local council fostering? Here are the next steps to take

If you’re thinking about fostering, taking time to explore your options can be helpful first steps - with no pressure and no commitment. Learning more about the process doesn’t mean you have to decide anything straight away, but it can help you understand whether fostering might be right for you.

• Start with Fostering South West: their team can answer early questions, explain eligibility, and help you understand what fostering might look like for you.

• Explore guidance from your local council: find general information on fostering in your area across England, including how to get in touch with local fostering teams.

• Hear from carers and parents in real life: the Mumsnet Fostering Forum is a place to read experiences, ask questions, and get practical advice from people who’ve been there.

About Fostering South West

Fostering South West is a collaborative network of 15 local councils, forming a regional hub, working together to actively recruit essential prospective foster carers and come together to improve the retention of foster carers, via the Mockingbird scheme.