The life you change will be yours
What is fostering?
Foster carers provide an alternative family environment for children and young people who, for some reason, are unable to currently live with their own families.
There are many different kinds of fostering. Some children come for a short stay, maybe even in an emergency, and some children stay for a long time.
Who can foster?
Foster carers are ordinary people doing an extraordinary task. We need carers from all ethnic groups, single carers and couples of any gender or sexuality, and carers from all age ranges.
What is important is that carers have the ability to meet the needs of the children they care for.
Do foster children need extra care?
All children need basic food, clothing, shelter, love and safety. Children in foster care have the same needs and because of their life experiences are likely to have additional needs.
Do I need any special training to be a foster carer?
You do not need any special qualifications to be a foster carer but you do need to be warm and loving and able to provide a nurturing and stable environment where a child can feel safe and secure.
Moving to a foster home can e distressing for any child. A foster carer will need to spend time talking and listening to a child in order to help them understand and to come to terms with why they are living away form home.
Our social workers provide regular support and work closely with all foster carers. We have an excellent training programme and you can gain NVQ qualifications.
What you will need
- Patience, humour and energy
- Good communication skills
- Support from your family and friends; and
- To work as part of a team
What we offer
- Skills payment
- Support from your own supervising social worker
- Support group
- Training; and
- Equipment
Want to know more?
As a first step phone 020 8496 3000 and ask for our fostering information pack and an application form. You can also contact us at the address below.
‘When children I have looked after come back to see me, I can see they are happy and then I know I have done a good and worthwhile job’
A Waltham Forest foster carer
‘I’d say to anyone thinking about fostering a kid – go for it. All you need is a nice warm heart and to be a nice kind person who doesn’t get angry too quick. We don’t want people to feel sorry for us – we just need a safe, kind family to be a part of’
15 year old boy who has been with foster parents since the age of 7
To request an information pack call please use the contact details below.
Fostering Network
The Fostering Network is the UK's leading charity for everyone involved in fostering. As the voice of foster care it campaigns for governments to take action on issues that affect foster families and provides practical resources, training, advice and support for its members. It also provides introductory information for people thinking about fostering for the first time.
» For more information go to the Fostering Network at www.fostering.net
Contact us
Fostering and Adoption Service
London Borough of Waltham Forest
1C The Drive
Walthamstow E17 3BN
Tel 020 8496 3000, or
Direct line to Adoption Service on 020 8496 1588
Direct line to Fostering Service on 020 8496 2479
