We’re a not-for-profit agency and dedicated children’s charity, with local fostering services in communities across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
With over 150 years' experience in fostering, we know how personal and special fostering is and we'll be by your side at every step of your journey.
From the moment you enquire, through to the assessment and matching process, we’ll be with you every step of the way with expert guidance, specialist training and tailored support. Because when our foster carers are supported, children thrive.
With more children entering the care system than ever before, we need more foster carers to join us. If you think fostering could be for you or you are simply more curious to find out more, fill out our short enquiry form and your local team will be in touch for a friendly, no-pressure chat.
Let's talk fostering
Fill out our short enquiry formBarnardo’s is proud to support Foster Care Fortnight
A time to celebrate, recognise and stand alongside the fostering community.
We’ll also bring people together through in-person and virtual events to raise awareness of fostering and celebrate our dedicated carers. Because as a long-standing not-for-profit fostering agency, we proudly stand with carers, young people and the wider community to help amplify voices and drive change.
Feeling inspired?
Join our event and be part of the conversationJoin our upcoming online fostering event, where we’ll talk honestly about everything fostering involves - from the matching process to support and training - and the real difference foster carers can make in a child’s life.
You’ll hear directly from experienced foster carers and our expert team, who will be there to answer your questions and share stories of how fostering has made a real difference to children's lives – and their own.
Hear from Jeanette, a foster carer and Lisa, a Barnardo's project worker.
You can learn more about Jeanette's experience of fostering or read advice from Lisa, alongside colleagues, about what social workers want you to know about fostering.
New to fostering?
Could you be a foster carer?
There are so many things about you that will make you a great foster carer, but there are a few practical things you need too.
What's the process?
Welcoming a child or young person into your life is an incredible thing to do - and a big decision to make. We'll make sure you have the information you need to work out if it's right for you and where you are in your life.
How we'll support you
To support a foster child, you need to feel supported too. With our round-the-clock helpline, a dedicated support worker, training, financial support, and an incredible community of foster carers, there's lots of reasons to choose to foster with us.
Learn more about fostering with us
Foster carer payments and allowances
Whether you’re doing the weekly shop, getting your foster child new school clothes or organising their birthday surprise, we’ll make sure you have the financial support to give your foster child the best care you can, without worrying about the cost.
Different types of fostering
Every child is different and each has their own unique care needs. To help us meet them, we provide a variety of homes. These include short-term fostering, parent and child fostering, permanent or long-term fostering as well as short break care among others.
Children who need fostering
Fostering is a way of providing a family life and home for children who cannot live with their birth family. We have a focus on matching children who may need extra care and support from a foster family.
Transferring between fostering agencies
If you are a foster carer who is already registered with a fostering agency, you may want to consider transferring over to us. Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to fast track you through the assessment process Our friendly and local team will help you every step of the way to help you make the right choice for you.
Got a question?
We’re here for whatever you want to know about fostering. If you do have a question the answer might be on our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page. And if not, we’re always happy to chat.
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, some children and teenagers need a caring adult to look after them until things can get better. You could be the person helping change their life for the better.
If you want to talk fostering, you can set up your no-pressure call and one of our friendly team will call you back within two working days. If you'd prefer to talk to someone sooner, you can call us on 0800 0277 280. Our phone lines are open from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.