If you are considering fostering, you may be thinking about whether to foster with Brighton & Hove City Council, or whether to choose an independent fostering agency. You may already foster with an independent fostering agency and wonder what you will gain from transferring.

We are proud of our fostering community and the incredible work our foster carers do for our looked after children. We want to create the very best experiences, support and training for our foster carers so they in turn can provide the most loving, stable and supportive homes for our children. 

Here are some great reasons to #fosterwithus

• You’ll foster local children, who we place with our in-house carers as our first option and as a priority.
• All the referrals for children coming into care come to us and we will always check with our in house carers first for the best match. If we feel we can’t provide a suitable match, only then will we consult outside agencies. This means if you’re with us, you’ll get the best possible match for you and your family and cut out the middle man
• We provide in depth and ongoing training from the moment you begin fostering with us and throughout each and every year.  All these sessions take place in and around Brighton, during school hours, meaning it’s always convenient for you to attend.
• You’ll be allocated a Supervising  Social Worker, based locally, who will see you at least once a month and always be on hand to help. You’ll also have access to an out of hours service meaning you’re never on your own.
• We believe in the power of peer support and arrange a number of monthly carer support groups to help you create friendships and benefit from support and advice. From single carer support groups, to support groups for carers who look after teenagers and those caring for unaccompanied asylum seekers, we facilitate carer to carer relationships.
• We provide activities for our children in care in throughout the school holidays so they can form friendships with children in similar circumstances. From fishing and bicycle trips to visits to Chessington and Diggerland, there will be something for all ages. We also run trips for our foster carers own children as we recognise what an important role your children play in creating a happy placement. We see these days out as a great way for your children to meet others who live with foster brothers and sisters. It’s our way of saying thank you, giving you a break and giving the children a treat.
• We can help you work towards an NVQ in Fostering . This means that you constantly grow and develop in your new role, providing your foster child with the best care and support possible and at the same time creating a fulfilling and long term career for yourself.
• You’ll be paid a generous allowance meaning you can transform a child’s life, develop a new career and get paid for doing something extremely rewarding.
• We pay for you to become a member of the Fostering Network, a national charity which works to promote and improve the service provided for children in foster care and to be the voice of foster carers. The benefits of this membership include: legal insurance and expenses caused by a carer’s fostering duties, regular information on fostering including Foster Care magazine, specialist publications and training, access to independent advice and representation.
• You don’t have to live in central Brighton to foster with us. We cover a radius of 20 miles around Brighton and Hove so even if you live as far out as Burgess Hill or even Worthing, you can still foster with us.
• Your foster child’s social worker will also be part of our wider team, often sitting in the same building so communication about your foster child’s needs are easier and more efficient.
• You’ll become part of our vibrant foster carer community, which we believe is the best out there! We're extremely proud of our foster carers and the amazing work they do and we'd love for you to join the team.
• Most importantly we are a not for profit service, meaning that it’s the children who benefit

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If you think you have what it takes to foster, we'd love to hear from you. By joining our fostering community, you can make a huge difference to a child’s life. Call 01273 295444 to speak with a member of our friendly team Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, complete an online enquiry or e-mail us at fosteringrecruitment@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Alternatively, please join us at one of our upcoming information events. These informal sessions are a chance to meet experienced foster carers, understand the role of fostering and learn about the support you will receive. 

Find out more about fostering by downloading our information booklet

Please do like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram – you will be able to keep up to date with our news, training events, school holiday activities and wonderful community spirit.