“What I need most is someone who will help me grow not just survive”

Call us: 0300 456 0120

Email us: info@fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk

A woman and two children are sat in a park on a rug. The youngest girl on the left has brown hair and holding some paper in her hand, the older child on the right is playing with something in her hands and the woman in a striped top with long dark hair watches on.

Be who they need most

Children in foster care need consistent, caring support to thrive. They flourish when adults listen, believe in them, and stand by them through life’s challenges. Patience, kindness, and stability matter most. Simple acts like encouragement, routine, and a listening ear can transform a child’s future. Sometimes, that could also include checking for monsters under the bed!

Above all, children need to know that someone is there for them, not just for a moment, but for as long as they need. You can do just that when you foster for your local council.

A teenage boy in a dark jumper with curly hair looks away from camera left, whilst a young girl with a black and white scarf faces away from camera and watches him.

Can I foster?

Become a foster carer and give a child a safe, supportive home when they need it most. This section explains what fostering means, the different ways you can help, and how you could start making a difference in a child’s life.

The image shows a group of children playing with a multi coloured parachute and bouncing a toy on it.

Why foster for your local council?

What stands fostering for a local council apart from other services? For some its the ongoing training and support, others, access to the mockingbird scheme. What will your reason be.

A young girl and man are sat at a kitchen table in a home environment. The young girl in a dark grey top with dark hair is pointing and laughing a the man who has a blue shirt with white undershirt on and has made a paper hat which he is wearing.

Meet our foster carers

Real experiences bring fostering to life. In this section, you’ll find inspiring case studies from foster carers who share their journeys, challenges, and rewards. Discover what fostering truly means and how it changes lives—for children and carers alike.

Could you be their someone?

As the new year begins, many of us find ourselves reflecting on what truly matters and searching for a deeper sense of fulfilment. If you’ve been feeling that something is missing, why not make this the year you change a child’s life, and your own, by becoming a foster carer?

Every child’s needs are unique, but all need love, stability, and encouragement. For children in foster care, these needs can feel especially urgent. Many have experienced uncertainty or loss, and what they long for most is a sense of belonging, a place where they feel safe, valued, and understood.

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How to take the first step

By providing love, stability, and encouragement, local council foster carers help children heal, grow, and discover their own strengths. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being present and showing a child that they truly matter.

Here’s how to start:

  1. Visit fosteringsouthwest.gov.uk
  2. Learn about fostering in your area and the different types of care available.
  3. Get in touch with your local fostering team for more information or an informal chat.
  4. Start your journey we’ll support you every step of the way.

Could you be the someone a child needs most? Take the first step today and start your fostering journey with us.

We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with our experienced, friendly team for a chat about foster care…