Fostering
Foster carers make a huge difference to young people’s lives. That’s why for over 20 years we’ve been growing our fostering family. We provide support and training so you can provide warm, nurturing homes for those who need them. Together we’ve helped thousands of young people thrive.
Be brave, be brilliant, be a foster carer
Right now, children are in need of foster homes in Manchester, Stockport, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. If you have a passion for helping young people succeed, you could be a Together Trust foster carer. We need you more than ever, and we’re with you every step of the way.
What do foster carers do?
It’s not always possible for young people to live with their birth families. That’s where you come in. Foster carers provide safe, caring homes for children who need them.
For some children it may be a temporary stay. For others, yours may be a longer term home on the road to adoption or living independently. Whatever the circumstances, your support and care can help young people experience new things, build their self-esteem and grow into happy young adults.
Why us?
We’ve been supporting vulnerable children for 150 years. And as long as young people need us, we’re not going anywhere.
With Foster Together, we’ve worked hard to build a connected fostering family where staff, carers and families can support each other. In fact, our level of training, support and friendly community mean some of our foster carers have been with us for 20 years.
We’re also a charity. Which means every single penny goes back into supporting young people.
Your questions answered
We know that thinking about foster care comes with lots of questions. Ask away! We’ve got lots of information on our dedicated Foster Together website, including our information pack. Or why not get in touch for an informal chat? In the meantime, here are a few quick answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is foster care?
Foster carers provide safe, caring homes for children who need them. Approved foster carers might provide a home to a child for a matter of days, weeks, months or years. They help children and young people experience new things, build their self-esteem and grow and develop into young adults.
Why might someone be looking for a foster home?
There are lots of different reasons why a child or young person may not be able to live with their family, children and young people can be placed in foster care either on their own or with their brothers and sisters.
Could I foster?
Yes! If you have a spare room, a stable home and a passion for helping young people succeed in life, you could be a foster carer. We accept applications regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, marital or employment status, whether you have children or whether you rent or own your home.
Are there any special requirements?
We want people from all walks of life to consider becoming foster carers. But finding the right home is our priority. So, there are a few ‘must haves’ if you want to become a foster carer.
- You must be aged 21 years or over
- You must have a spare bedroom
- You must be happy for us to carry out background checks on you and your family and friends.
How long can I foster?
Approved foster carers might provide a home to a child for a matter of days, weeks, months or years. Children and young people can be placed in foster care from birth up to 18 years. Some may even stay past 18 if they and their foster carers agree. While some children and young people go back to live with their families, others will live with their foster carers until they’re young adults. If a child isn’t able to return to their birth family, they may need to live with a foster carer while they go through the process of being adopted.
What about birth family?
Family is very important to our young people, and some children may have regular contact with their family even if they can’t live with them. This might mean taking children along to see their family. Remember, we’re always on hand to help you prepare. Other children and young people may have no contact with their birth families at all.
I've got more questions
You can find more answers to FAQs or get in touch with the team on our Foster Together website.
Ofsted report
We're delighted that our fostering service has been rated 'Good' by Ofsted. You can read our Ofsted reports online.
"Children live in nurturing, safe and stimulating homes. They enjoy loving, reliable and trusting relationships with their foster carers. They develop a strong sense of belonging and very much feel part of the family." Ofsted report, 2019