Donate Search Menu Learn about fostering What is fostering? Learn about the children who need a foster home, and how long they may stay with you Get your information pack Fostering is looking after a child or a young person who can’t live with their family They may need a home until they become adults, or only for a little while. As a foster carer, you’ll receive a fee and a lot of support to look after a child in your own home. You’ll work with us and the local authority to do what's best for a child. You’ll help them with their education, contact with their families, and their emotional wellbeing. Who are the children? Many of the children in our care have experienced trauma in their childhood. This could be due to abuse, neglect or exploitation. They need a lot of love and support. While their age can vary, most of our foster children are aged six and over. We often need to find homes for teenagers and older children. We also look for foster homes for: Siblings Parent and child Children with disabilities Unaccompanied children and young people seeking asylum How long does a fostering placement last? Fostering is about giving a home to a child or a young person, from a few weeks to many years. Every situation is different. Long-term fostering Short-term fostering Respite care for other foster carers We take great care to match children with the right foster carers. We will work you to find something that suits you both, taking the child’s best interest and your preferences into account. Interested in fostering? Request your information pack or call us on 0845 200 5162 Get your info pack Share this page Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Copy link You may also like "From the beginning, fostering with Action for Children felt like a family" 19 October 2020 Why 'staying put' is best for my foster child: Dionne's story 03 November 2020 Find a fostering service Search for your local fostering team and find events happening near you Request your fostering information pack Fill out our form to learn more about fostering with Action for Children, including support and fees Safe and happy childhood Action for Children protects and supports children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Jobs Blog Newsletter Media centre Contact us Accessibility Privacy policy Cookie policy Terms and conditions Make a difference, help us change lives Donate now Follow us Registered address, 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford, WD18 8AG. Action for Children is a charity (1097940/SC038092) and a company limited by guarantee (England and Wales No. 04764232). © Action for Children 2021 We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website and improve our marketing. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. You can change your settings at any time. Cookies Settings Live chat: Chat now