Foster a child

Give a child a place to call home

Change a child’s life by becoming a foster carer.

Fostering is more than providing somewhere safe to call home. It’s giving a child a place where they finally feel they belong.

We’re looking for people like you, who can open their heart and home to a child when they need it most.
 
  • Man and women smiling to camera

    "I'm living proof that fostering makes a difference"

    When James was 14 he was put into emergency foster care. Thanks to some dedicated carers and a supportive Barnardo’s project worker he was able to thrive. He’s now a Barnardo’s project worker, using his experiences to help other young people.

  • A man sitting on a hotel balcony

    "When I went to Barnardo’s, the people changed my life"

    Jamie was first fostered through our services when he was 12 years old. Read how 10 years of love and support from foster carers has helped him become who he is today.

Learn what it's like to be a foster carer with us

Find out about becoming a foster carer with Barnardo's

  • Two foster mums bake with a foster child

    Can I be a foster carer?

    There is no ‘type’ of foster carer. Our carers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences, skills and qualities which helps meet the needs of children and young people needing a foster home. It doesn’t matter what your religious or cultural background is, whether you're single, married, divorced, in a civil partnership, a homeowner or renting, we believe you can foster. 

  • A young woman sits next to one of Barnardo's fostering team

    Why foster with us?

    When you foster with Barnardo’s, we are with you every step of the way. Our expert and friendly staff are on hand to provide training and 24/7 support to all our carers. We also know financial support is important, especially in the current climate.  Read about the support and benefits Barnardo's offer our foster carers, including financial assistance.

  • A woman smiles on a balcony with a city skyline behind her

    What's fostering like?

    Fostering a child is a big commitment, but it’s a deeply rewarding experience. There is lot to consider but with Barnardo’s, you get the training you need to make a real difference. Read and watch first hand accounts of the joys, and challenges, of fostering.

What is fostering and why do people do it?

Foster care provides a safe, secure and stable environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth family. 

Not every child has a loving, stable home. When life gets tough or unsafe at home, children and teenagers need a caring adult to look after them until things can get better. Fostering provides a caring environment for these young people, working with them, their families and the Local Authority or Trust.


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Research we conducted found that the main reason people choose to foster is to offer a stable and safe family for vulnerable children during a difficult time.
It can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. Your love and support can make a huge difference to a child’s life, and to yours.

Read and watch the stories of Barnardo's foster carers to find out more about the rewards of fostering.
A woman in glasses smiles at the camera
There are so many special moments that we shared with each child, from teaching them how to tie their shoelaces and ride their bikes, to supporting them to thrive at school. And emotional moments when one of our foster children introduced us as ‘mum and dad’ to their friends for the first time. 

Sylvia

Foster Carer

Transform a child's life, and your own.

There are currently over 100,000 children in care in the UK. There is a growing shortage of foster carers, leaving vulnerable children without safe, stable and loving families. 

Barnardo’s has over 100 years’ experience of successfully looking after children and young people with families. We will give you all the the tools and specialist support you need to help the children in your care reach their dreams. Our experts provide comprehensive preparation and ongoing training, as well as offering support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Foster carers will also get financial support, including an allowance to help make a positive difference to a child’s life.

Find out more about the training and support we offer foster carers.

We have over 20 fostering, adoption and short break services across the UK and are currently looking for foster carers in many locations around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find a Barnardo's fostering service near you.

Do foster carers get paid?

Foster carer payments and allowances

Barnardo’s provides a generous professional fee in recognition of your role as a carer. Foster carers also receive a fostering allowance for each child in their care. This allowance increases as a child gets older and covers food, clothing, household expenses, pocket money, bus or travel fares, holidays and birthdays, Christmas and other festival gifts.

Find out more about the financial support available to foster carers.

What qualities do you need to be a foster carer?


You don’t need special qualifications or childcare experience to foster. What you do need is patience, understanding and a passion to offer a safe and loving environment to the children or young people in your care.

Who can foster?

You can foster if you: 

  • are 21 or over 
  • ​​​​have a spare bedroom big enough for a child or young person to live in 
  • are a full-time resident in the UK or have the right to work in the UK
  • are able to give the time to care for a child or young person.

Find out more about who can be a foster carer.

Different types of fostering

Every child is different and that each has their own unique care needs. To accommodate them, we provide a variety of foster homes to children and young people across the UK. These include short term fostering, parent and child fostering and permanent or long term fostering among others.

Find out more about different types of fostering

Transferring between fostering agencies

If you are a foster carer who is already registered with a fostering agency, you may be considering transferring to a different organisation. You have the right to do this, and Barnardo’s can help you make the right choice for you and your family.

We follow the guidance in the Fostering Network's Transfer Protocols. These protocols guide the way fostering services should manage the movement of foster carers between services and help ensure children and young people are safe and their foster placements stable.

Find out more about transferring from another foster agency to Barnardo's

Find out more about our services

We offer services across the UK, but what services and who is eligible may differ depending on location. Search for the services near you and read the information on that service, or contact someone directly at that service, to find out if we can help you.