Fostering in Reading

We’re an Ofsted “Outstanding” rated agency changing the lives of children and young people across Reading.

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Interested in fostering in Reading?

Children in your area urgently need caring foster parents to provide the safe, loving homes they deserve when they can no longer live with their own families.

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and working in partnership with Reading local authority and beyond, FCA provides high-quality foster care for children who need safe, stable homes.

Fostering is a life-changing decision, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. No previous experience is needed – our expert team will provide the training, guidance and encouragement you need to make a real difference to a child’s life.

As a foster parent, you’ll offer a safe and nurturing home where children can rebuild trust, grow in confidence and look towards a brighter future.

When you join FCA, you’ll benefit from comprehensive support, including your own dedicated supervising social worker, regular supervision and a 24/7 social worker helpline. You’ll also receive a generous fostering allowance, specialist training, access to fun activities and the support of a close-knit fostering community, ensuring you always have the advice and reassurance you need throughout your fostering journey.

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Benefits of working with FCA

24/7 advice service

Excellent ongoing training

Access to your local fostering team

Competitive payments

Local support groups

Local social activities and events

Who can foster with FCA?

Fostering is open to people from a wide range of backgrounds. You can foster with FCA if you:

Are over 21
Have a spare bedroom
Have the legal right to live and work in the UK
Have the time and emotional space to support a young person

If you’re unsure whether fostering could work for you, our team is here to talk through your circumstances and help you explore your options.

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Download Information Pack

Discover everything you need to know about fostering with FCA.

Download Guide

Allowances

We provide our foster parents with a generous financial support package, plus other perks and benefits too.

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Apply to foster

Interested in taking the next step? Enquire now and chat with one of our dedicated professionals.

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Transfer to us

Already fostering? We’ll provide you with all the specialist support you need to make a difference.

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Meet the Reading Team

We’re a close-knit team who love what we do, supporting foster parents across the Thames Valley region of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire, every step of the way. Whether you’re new to fostering or transferring from another agency, you’ll always have someone local to turn to for advice, guidance and a friendly chat.

An Ofsted Rated ‘Outstanding’ fostering provider
Round-the-clock guidance and support
Excellent allowances and benefits
Full ongoing fostering training that’s flexible to you

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Ofsted Report

What our foster parents say about fostering with us…

“The support in FCA is amazing. Everyone in the agency is helpful. You have your social worker, support groups, a network of other foster parents, the other social workers in the team, but also even the manager to support you. Everyone’s just lovely and friendly and so supportive.”

Tiffany, FCA Foster Parent

“You feel heard, you feel supported, you feel listened to if you need anything. Choosing to foster with FCA has been the best decision ever. If I hadn’t of started my fostering journey, I wouldn’t have met my little guy, and he wouldn’t be becoming part of the family as well.”

Michaela, FCA Foster Parent

“Working with FCA has been amazing, All the social workers I’ve had almost feel like family. They’ve been there to support at every stage. That’s not just limited to the social workers either. It’s the heartbeat of FCA. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and they are my village, honestly.”

Claudia, FCA Foster Parent

Why foster parents transfer to FCA

As an experienced foster parent, you know the difference the right support can make. Choosing a fostering agency that values your skills and provides the support you need is an important decision.

Many foster parents choose to transfer to FCA because of our unrivalled levels of professional support and child-centred approach.

If you’re considering a move, our fast-track transfer process can help you transfer to FCA and be approved in as little as 12 weeks, ensuring minimal disruption to you and the children in your care.

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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’re 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*