Thinking of fostering?
If you are thinking about becoming a foster carer, you have come to the right place! Foster carers are just like you and me, they are ordinary people performing extraordinary tasks. At HFS we know that looking after other people's children can be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding.
We need people from different backgrounds with different life experiences to look after children from 0 to 18 years. You can choose the age group of the children you wish to look after and we will be on hand to advise you.
From your first contact, you will find us to be friendly, supportive and helpful. We know that some people will need help in understanding the fostering task, and that not everyone who enquires about becoming a foster carer will go on to become one.
We would rather help you reach the right decision early on in the process, even if that decision is not to proceed.
If we do proceed we will guide you through the process which usually takes about 3 to 4 months. We will help you to complete the application form and arrange for a social worker to visit you for an initial assessment, usually about 1hour. If the outcome is that we both want to proceed, we will start the full assessment.
As one of our foster carers you will be very well supported by our team and you will have your own supervising social worker, who will visit you regularly and provide support. We also provide:
- High quality, comprehensive, preparatory and continuous training.
- Regular contact and visits from your supervising officer.
- Six weekly foster carers support meetings.
- Access to 24 hour telephone advice and support.
- A week's paid respite every year.
- Support for children of foster carers.
- Membership of Fostering Network.
- Competitive fostering allowances.
- Festival allowances.
- Annual foster carer's appreciation event.
If you are unclear about any of the above, please do not hesitate in contacting one of our staff.
