What is fostering?

Foster carers play a unique and valuable role, providing homes and care for particularly vulnerable children.

The Together Trust covers the whole spectrum of fostering; from short breaks for birth families with children with high support needs (under our specialist foster care provision), to permanent families for children whose birth families cannot care for them. Children in foster care can be aged from birth to 18 years. Some young people over 18 can remain in placement (known as a staying put arrangement) with foster carers whilst no longer being classified as fostered. They may be cared for on their own or with brothers and sisters for a matter of days, months or years. Some children have a lot of contact with family members and others have none. All require someone to care for them, who can understand where they have come from and be there for them.

Foster carers at the Together Trust are paid a generous allowance to cover the cost of looking after the child. In addition a fee is paid to the carer, so a foster carer does not have to seek alternative employment and can choose to become a full time professional foster carer for the Together Trust. However, you can work and foster at the same time – it will depend on your particular circumstances.

Fostering a child is rewarding, great fun but also hard work. Children's lives are complicated and it is not always easy. This is where the Together Trust comes in. We always try to provide the support that our foster carers need.

If you phone, you can speak to one of our social workers and find out more. If you are still interested you can speak to one of our carers.

The Together Trust believes it is important that you have as much information as possible to help you to decide if fostering is right for you. We hope you will decide you want to go ahead and become a professional foster carer for the Together Trust. However, we understand that becoming a foster carer is a major decision, so feel assured that by telephoning us, you are under no obligation to proceed.