What are the first steps to starting my fostering journey?

The first steps include seeking information about fostering, understanding the process, and assessing your suitability. Explore resources like our Fostering Guide and reach out to Greater London Fostering for personalized guidance.

Can anyone become a foster carer?

Foster carers come from diverse backgrounds, ages, and family compositions. Visit our Who Can Foster page to learn about eligibility criteria and the qualities of a successful foster carer.

What types of fostering options are available?

There are various types of fostering, including short-term, long-term, respite care, emergency fostering, and caring for children with specific needs or disabilities.

How do I choose the right fostering agency?

Look for agencies like Greater London Fostering that emphasize personalized support, comprehensive training, and fair financial compensation for their foster carers.

What training and support will I receive as a foster carer?

Greater London Fostering provides comprehensive training on various topics related to fostering. Additionally, our experienced team offers ongoing support throughout your fostering journey. Learn more about Training.

Why should I choose fostering over adoption?

Fostering offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on a child's life during a critical time. It allows you to provide a safe and caring environment on a temporary basis, and in many cases, foster carers maintain a relationship with the child even after they leave their care.

What type of support does GLF offer to the children in foster care?

Children in GLF's care receive round-the-clock support and access to various services, including education, health, and counselling. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that every child gets the right opportunities to thrive.

What makes GLF different from other fostering agencies?

GLF's commitment to personalised care sets us apart. We believe in providing tailored support for both our foster carers and the children in their care. With GLF, you're not just part of an agency – you're part of a family.

What opportunities for personal growth does fostering offer?

Fostering can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering you the chance to develop new skills and grow as an individual. You'll learn about resilience, empathy, patience, and the profound impact that you can have on another's life.

Can GLF support me in fostering siblings or larger family groups?

Absolutely. At GLF, we understand the importance of keeping siblings and family groups together. We offer extra support and training for foster carers willing to foster larger family groups.

What if I feel I'm not coping with a foster placement?

If you're struggling, we're here to help. GLF offers 24/7 support, and we will work with you to find solutions and strategies to any problems you're facing. Our priority is the wellbeing of both you and the child in your care.

Will fostering affect my own children?

Your children can benefit from fostering by developing empathy and a broader understanding of others' experiences. We will support you in preparing your own children for the fostering journey.

How does GLF recognise and reward its foster carers?

At GLF, we deeply appreciate our foster carers. We offer a generous weekly allowance, regular rewards and acknowledgements, ongoing training opportunities, and a strong support network to show our gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

How will I know if fostering is right for me?

Fostering is a big decision and it's important to get as much information as possible. Speak to our team at GLF, attend one of our information sessions, and hear firsthand from our existing foster carers to help decide if it's right for you.

Why is there a need for more foster carers in London?

The number of children needing foster care in London continues to rise. More foster carers mean that we can provide a suitable match for every child in need, and ensure that they receive the support and care they deserve.

Starting your Fostering Journey Doesn't need to be scary

Starting Your Fostering Journey Doesn't Need To Be Scary

Embarking on your fostering journey may seem daunting at first. However, with the right support, guidance, and information, it can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. At Greater London Fostering, we're here to reassure you that beginning your fostering journey doesn't have to be scary. Our dedicated team is committed to providing you with the knowledge and resources you need to become a confident and successful foster carer.

Seek Information and Understand the Process

A significant factor in alleviating your anxieties about fostering is understanding the process. Visit our detailed Fostering Guide to learn about the different stages of your journey, from making the decision to become a foster carer, the assessment and approval process, and ongoing support after you have started fostering.

Assess Your Suitability for Fostering

You may have concerns about whether you're suitable to become a foster carer. The truth is that foster carers come from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and family compositions. Visit our Who Can Foster page to learn more about the eligibility criteria and characteristics that make a successful foster carer. Remember, your life experience, patience, understanding, and resilience are invaluable qualities that can positively impact a child's life.

Discover the Different Types of Fostering

Fostering is not a one-size-fits-all approach. There are several types of fostering available to suit your specific circumstances and preferences. These can include short-term or long-term placements, respite care, emergency fostering, or caring for children with specific needs or disabilities.

Find the Right Fostering Agency

Choosing the right fostering agency plays an essential role in ensuring a positive fostering experience. At Greater London Fostering, we pride ourselves on providing personalized support and guidance tailored to each carer's unique situation. Moreover, our agency offers a competitive allowance and pay structure to financially support our foster carers.

Receive Comprehensive Training and Support

Quality training and support can ease your fears about starting your fostering journey. At Greater London Fostering, we offer comprehensive training to ensure our carers are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge required for their role. Visit the Training section of our website to learn more about the courses and sessions available, and remember that the training comes at no cost to you.

Additionally, fostering is not a journey you embark on alone. Our experienced team is here to provide ongoing support throughout your fostering experience, ensuring you feel confident and empowered to handle all the challenges and joys that fostering brings.

Ask Questions and Seek Advice

Asking questions and seeking advice are essential for alleviating any doubts or fears you may have about fostering. Our helpful FAQ section provides answers to many common queries, from foster carer payments and eligibility criteria to understanding the fostering process.

Remember, starting your fostering journey doesn't have to be scary. With the right information, support, and resources at your fingertips, you can embark on this incredible journey knowing you have the backing of a dedicated, experienced team committed to your success. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of children who need a safe, loving, and nurturing home.

If you're ready to take the first step, ask for more information, or contact our team today to discuss your fostering journey.

Download Our Guide to Fostering

if you're looking for more information about what fostering is, then we suggest you download our free pdf guide to fostering

Take our free online Fostering Course

If you know a bit about fostering, but are looking for more in depth information, especially about the practicalities then you should take our free online training course. You can take it without registering, and it's 100% free

Arrange for a call back from our team

If you know about fostering, and are now thinking about who to foster for, then the next best step for you is to have a quick call with our recruitment team. They'll be able to answer specific questions you have.

Register to foster with greater london fostering

If you are ready to apply, and have made the decision that GLF is right for you, then why not go ahead and register with us.

All our carers are champions for children

one of the qualities we look for, and help build in our foster carers, is to be champions for the children they care for.

Contact us

“I talked to loads of fostering agencies, none quite felt right, until i spoke to James at GLF”

“My carers have given me the stability I needed in order to complete school, and the support I needed to believe in myself !”

Diane J

Happy foster carers makes for happy children

“I don’t call my foster carers carers, I call them my parents, because that’s what they became. even though I’m now in my twenties, I still go back to them every Sunday for my roast dinner. ”

Carl C

“I have never been pushed so hard to achieve things. At first I really didn’t like it, then I started to realise this was exactly what I needed, people kept asking me what my SPARK was, and honestly, without my foster parents, and D, their social worker, I probably wouldn’t have found it”

Leonie V

Change a life, foster!

We can honestly say, becoming a foster parent will change your life, and that of a young persons. All they need to succeed is your guidance, support and love.

How do I start fostering?

It couldn’t be easier – give us a call on 020 8347 8741, or start an online chat. If it’s late, we might not be online, but you can always send us a question/message via whatsapp and we will reply first thing tomorrow.

what makes You different from other fostering agencies??

Well we put carers and children at the heart of everything.

We always choose the right thing to do, even if that is sometimes the difficult thing.

How much do carers get paid?

Every agencies pays it’s carers differently, so make sure to ask.

GLF carers are some of the best paid in London, our rates are:

£450 for a child aged 0-10

£475 for a child aged 11=

£550-£1600 for an enhanced placement, depending on complexity

The above are per week, per child, and unlike other IFAs, you don’t have any money deducted for sibling groups. So if you care for an 11 year old, and their 14 year old brother, you’ll receive £900 a week.

How can you pay more than other agencies?

We’ll we’re family run, so we decide where to put the money. We think as carers do the real hard work, they should get paid fairly.

We don’t scrimp in other areas, so you’ll still expect amazing support, it’s just we don’t waste money in other areas. If it doesn’t add value to you and the children you care for, we don’t spend money on it!

Greater London Fostering (GLF) is a leading independent fostering agency based in London, with over 20 years of experience recruiting, training and supporting high-calibre foster carers. Our aim is to provide nurturing homes for children in need.

At GLF, we offer a comprehensive training programme covering a range of topics related to fostering, including child development, safeguarding, behaviour management, and therapeutic parenting. We provide ongoing 24/7 advice and support, along with a generous weekly allowance to assist with child care. In addition, we hold regular engaging family events.

To become a GLF foster carer, the journey starts with an informal chat followed by a home visit and a detailed two-day course. The final stage is a four-month assessment where we explore your background and motivations for fostering.

We pride ourselves on our personalised approach and our commitment to supporting our carers, along with a competitive financial package and continuous training. Our goal is to make our carers feel like part of our family.

Children who require foster care come from diverse backgrounds and have unique needs. They can be any age, and many have faced difficult experiences and require a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment. At GLF, we strive to match our foster carers with children aligned with their preferences and circumstances.

Fostering can present challenges, but it also provides a sense of fulfilment, promotes empathy, and broadens your family’s understanding of the world. At GLF, we’re here to advise and support foster families through this experience.