Spotlight Feature: Foster With Your Local Council

Every child deserves a safe, nurturing home. That’s where foster carers make all the difference. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Fostering South West.

Fostering South West is a partnership of 15 local councils across South West England working together to recruit, train, and support foster carers in the region. Supported by the Department for Education, their mission is to strengthen families, grow local communities, and create brighter futures for children and young people .

Why Foster With Your Local Council?  

When children need fostering, keeping them close to home can make a big difference. By fostering through your local council, you help children stay connected to schools, friends, and communities. This gives them the stability and belonging they know.  

Fostering with your council means you are supported by your local authority, the team responsible for the child’s welfare. You’ll receive ongoing training, 24-hour support, and a strong network of professionals who understand your community.  

“Fostering through your local council means helping children stay close to everything familiar to them- school, friends, and community, while giving them the care they deserve.” Local council foster carer for Gloucestershire County Council.

The Journey to Becoming a Foster Carer  

Many people think fostering is complicated. But the process is more approachable than most realise. The journey starts with a simple conversation. From there, your council guides you through every step:  

1. Initial enquiry and chat – Find out what fostering involves and whether it’s right for you.  

2. Home visits and assessment – A social worker gets to know you and your household.  

3. Training and preparation – You’ll attend informative sessions and meet other carers.  

4. Approval panel – Once approved, you’re matched with a child whose needs align with your strengths.  

“The training from our local council gave us confidence and support. It has been great to meet other foster carers, they’re so supportive to me and being part of a community is also really good for the children to have that extended family. You are never alone when fostering.” Local council foster carer for Plymouth City Council.

Foster With Your Local Council ensures that every carer feels supported emotionally, financially, and practically.

You’ll have access to:  

• Ongoing training and development  
• Financial allowances and benefits  
• Peer and professional support networks  
• 24/7 emergency support  
• Regular respite breaks 
• Mockingbird hub support- a model of foster care support which connects foster families through trusted relationships, shared learning, and emotional support.

“I love being part of Mockingbird- it’s not just support; it’s being there for each other. We meet regularly, share experiences, and it feels like we’re raising our children together. They call it Mockingbird; we would just call it family.” Local council foster carer for Plymouth City Council.

Can I Foster?  

You may wonder if you can foster because you’re not married, you don’t own your home, or you don’t have children. None of that is required. What matters most is that you can offer a safe, stable, and caring environment.  

Find out more here: https://www.fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk/can-i-foster/ 

Types of Fostering

Fostering isn't one-size-fits-all. Foster With Your Local Council supports a variety of fostering types so carers can choose what suits their lifestyle, capacity, and strengths. Here’s an overview of the main types:

• Short Term Fostering: This is a temporary arrangement, often when children need care for a limited period, sometimes up to two years, until they return home or move to a stable placement.
• Long Term (Permanence) Fostering: In this model, foster carers agree to support a child into adulthood. The child may remain with you for many years under this plan.
• Emergency Foster Care: For children who must be placed urgently, perhaps with only a few hours’ notice. This requires carers who can respond flexibly at short notice.
• Short Breaks / Respite Care: Providing care for short periods (days or weeks) to ease the load on main carers, or giving children new experiences in a safe environment.
• Specialist Foster Care: Designed for children with higher emotional, behavioural, or health needs. Carers in this role receive additional training and support.
• Parent & Child Fostering: Some young or expectant parents are supported in a foster carer’s home during late pregnancy or early parenthood, offering guidance as well as care for the child.
• Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children: When children arrive in the UK without guardians, they may be placed with approved carers until suitable family or guardians are found.
• Supported Lodgings: For young people aged 16–21 who live semi-independently in a carer’s home, receiving support as they transition to adulthood.
• Staying Put: After age 18, a young person may continue to live with their foster family under a “staying put” arrangement, offering stability while they move into adulthood.

How to Get Started  

If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is a great time to learn more. Fostering South West makes it easy to start, whether you’re just curious or ready to apply.  

Visit www.fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk to connect with your local team and begin your fostering journey today.