11 March 2010
Approved foster carers | Who we are

• 4.1: Introduction

• Current page is 4.2: Fostering Agencies

• 4.3: Online form
• 4.4: What we do next
• 4.5: In confidence
• 4.6: Approved foster carers

Simply Fostering Agencies.

Finding the best Fostering Agencies

There are over seven hundred  Independent Fostering Agencies and Local Authorities and Trusts providing fostering and adoption services accross the UK.

Use our free service to help you to;

• reduce the confusion
• make the right choice
• find the best fostering agency
• apply to become a foster carer
• start your fostering career.

Facts:

About 15% of foster carers give up fostering or transfer between Fostering Agencies every year because the foster carer's relationship with their Agency has become problematic.

Most often the cause can be traced back to the foster carer not comparing the services other Fostering Agencies had to offer and therefore the services that would have suited them best, before making an application to foster.

As a foster carer you will be self employed, however you must be aware that unless there are certain circumstances, you can only foster for the Fostercare Agency who holds your approval.

Importantly, transferring to another Fostering Agency means that you would need to go through the same assessment process all over again.

“The Government, national fostering institutions and fostering research recommend that people interested in fostering should contact more than one fostering agency when they make their first enquiries about fostering”.

New Enquirers:

Using our knowledge of the fostering agencies in your area we will:

• Check your enquiry form;
• Identify the fostering agencies that are recruiting foster carers in your area;
• Forward your details to those fostering agencies;
• Request that the fostering providers (agencies) contact you within three working days using the method you identified in your enquiry form.

Give yourself the best chance to get it right first time by registering with Simply Fostering and using our free service to help you to find out more and hopefully to go on to realise your potential as a foster carer.

Registering with us is completely free and confidential. Registration will also give you access to the Simply Fostering Handbook, a comprehensive guide to fostering.