New to fostering?

Fostering is an amazing and rewarding journey that can turn a child’s life around. It could even change yours too.

Looking to transfer?

Transferring to us is simple and you’ll see the difference the moment you join our family.

Fostering Allowances

We offer generous and competitive fostering allowances and payments together with unrivalled levels of support and training.

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Apply To Foster

Get in touch and find out how you can change a child’s life through fostering.

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Find your local team fostering agency

As one of the largest independent foster agencies in the UK, we pride ourselves on giving you the support and training you need, exactly when you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. From Belfast to Milton Keynes to Cardiff to Carnforth, your local FCA team provides life-changing fostering services for vulnerable children, young people and foster carers alike.

We’re there for you, so you can be there for the children and young people in your care.

Outstanding Ofsted Results

Our FCA teams are consistently recognised for their exceptional standards, with 100% rated ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ by Ofsted and many achieving the highest possible judgement of ‘Outstanding’ across all areas.

We’ve achieved this by listening to our foster families, staff, and the children and young people we support, and using their feedback to shape what we do.

Our commitment to excellence drives us to continuously improve our services so you can count on getting the best possible support.

The heart of fostering in the UK

With over 30 years of foster care experience, we continually strive to involve people and improve services. We’re one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies and committed to supporting every single foster child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.

Here at the FCA we understand that becoming a foster carer doesn’t happen overnight, but when you do choose to foster with us, you can rely on our support throughout the process.

BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT

Supporting Foster Parents

We know that foster care isn’t the same everywhere and we wouldn’t expect anyone to foster without the right training and support. We have been helping families become extraordinary foster families since 1994.

We have in-depth resources on hand, together with an extensive team of professionals, to provide specialist input when it’s needed. All the resources, everything you’d expect from a large and long-established foster care agency.

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Stronger together

We believe that everyone has a voice, and we’re committed to listening. By involving everyone our foster parents, colleagues, children and young people, we’ve created a positive and empowering culture where everyone feels respected, valued and able to contribute.

We grow stronger and better together, helping us improve the experiences of foster carers and the children they look after.

About FCA

Are you thinking of fostering?

Download the FCA’s complete beginner’s guide to . Find out more on how to foster a child and the process involved.

Download

Areas we cover:

> Fostering in Yorkshire
> Fostering in Sheffield
> Fostering in Hull

> Fostering in the North West
> Fostering in Manchester
> Fostering in Lancashire

> Fostering in the West Midlands
> Fostering in Birmingham
> Fostering in Worcestershire

> Fostering in the South West
> Fostering in Wiltshire
> Browse more cities and towns in the UK

Fostering stories

Debbie’s 15 Years of Fostering

Debbie has been fostering with FCA North West for 15 years. Over that time, she’s cared for many different children – from young babies and parent and child placements right through to older teenagers.

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January 2 2026

From Empty Nest to a Full Home – Tracy’s Fostering Story

Tracy shares how fostering with FCA helped her turn an empty nest into a loving home, keeping siblings together and helping children thrive.

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December 23 2025

Annette and Gerry’s Journey into Fostering

Annette and her husband Gerry have been fostering with FCA Northern Ireland since 2020. Here is their fostering story.

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December 17 2025

From Teaching to Fostering, a Worthwhile Transition

Alison, a foster parent with FCA South East, shares her journey from teaching to fostering.

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FCA Northern Ireland foster parent Gerard and wife Siobhan

November 25 2025

Fostering: Challenging Stereotypes and Supporting Men’s Mental Health

Foster parent Gerard from FCA Northern Ireland tells us how men can make a real difference in children’s lives by offering patience, emotional support, and consistent care.

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November 6 2025

Meet Paul and Kay – a Fostering Family

Meet Paul and Kay as they share their inspiring fostering journey with FCA North East. As they put it, “Fostering has been challenging but hugely rewarding and humbling, and we’re still learning new things every day.”

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Speak to our team

Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we are here to talk.

Enquiry Form

You are required to have a spare bedroom that’s always available to a foster child. The spare room cannot be shared, and must be big enough to fit a single bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.

Do you have a spare room?*

To be approved as a foster carer in the UK, you must be a British citizen or have the legal right to remain in the UK without restrictions that would prevent fostering.

Which of the following applies to you?*

How can we help you with your enquiry?*

The following questions are intended to help us understand your experience with children. Please note that prior experience is not required to become a foster carer, as full training will be provided.

Have you had children of your own?*

Do you have professional experience of working with children?*

Have you had any prior experience of fostering, such as being a foster parent or growing up in a fostering family?*

Have you ever adopted a child?*

Are you happy to receive regular fostering news from us?*

Yes

No

First Name*

Last Name*

Phone Number*

Email Address*

Postcode*