Fostering means providing a safe, stable and caring home for a child or young person who cannot live with their birth family. It is a way of offering them support, guidance and a sense of belonging during a difficult period in their life. Fostering can be short-term, long-term or specialised (for example, for children with disabilities, additional needs or parent and child). We can offer mother and baby placements so that mum and baby can remain together while assessment by the local authority takes place. This gives parents an extra opportunity to demonstrate their parenting capacity while remaining together. While the child’s legal responsibility usually remains with the local authority, foster carers play a vital role in their day-to-day upbringing, meeting their emotional, physical and developmental needs, and helping them thrive until they can either return home, move to adoption or transition into independent living.

Fostering means providing a safe, stable and caring home for a child or young person who cannot live with their birth family. It is a way of offering them support, guidance and a sense of belonging during a difficult period in their life. Fostering can be short-term, long-term or specialised (for example, for children with disabilities, additional needs or parent and child). We can offer mother and baby placements so that mum and baby can remain together while assessment by the local authority takes place. This gives parents an extra opportunity to demonstrate their parenting capacity while remaining together. While the child’s legal responsibility usually remains with the local authority, foster carers play a vital role in their day-to-day upbringing, meeting their emotional, physical and developmental needs, and helping them thrive until they can either return home, move to adoption or transition into independent living.

Fostering provides a safe and supportive home for a child or young person who cannot live with their birth family. The local authority remains legally responsible for the child, but foster carers take on their day-to-day care. The process begins with carefully matching the child to a suitable foster home. Once a home is found, the foster carers work closely with social workers, teachers, health professionals and, where appropriate, the child’s birth family. This teamwork helps meet the child’s emotional, physical and educational needs. Fostering can be short-term, long-term, or for specific situations such as emergency care, respite care or supporting children with disabilities. Throughout the time a child is living in a foster home, foster carers receive training, guidance and regular visits from their supervising social worker to make sure the child is safe, settled and thriving.

In some cases, fostering can lead to adoption, but adoption is not the main purpose of fostering. The goal of most foster arrangements is to provide a safe and supportive home until a child can return to their birth family or move on to another permanent arrangement. However, if it becomes clear that a child cannot return home and adoption is considered the best option for their future, foster carers may be considered as adoptive parents if it is in the child’s best interests and they wish to take on that role.

For many people, fostering is more than a role they take on; it becomes their main focus and a long-term commitment. While it is not a career in the traditional sense, it requires professional skills, ongoing training and a high level of dedication. At Progress, we see our foster carers as professionals in their own right and an integral part of the team around the child, as they know the child better than anyone. We offer a clear developmental pathway where you can work through different competency levels to achieve a higher allowance, alongside comprehensive training that includes all mandatory courses, specialist training tailored to the needs of the child, and therapeutic training through our Solihull approach, which is embedded into our everyday practice. Foster carers receive an allowance to support the child in their care, and some also receive additional fees that recognise the time, expertise and commitment involved. With the right support, fostering can be a sustainable and rewarding way of life that combines meaningful work with the chance to make a lasting difference.

Fostering is about providing a safe, stable and caring home for a child or young person who cannot live with their birth family. It requires patience, resilience and a genuine commitment to helping children thrive, often after experiencing difficult or traumatic situations. You do not need specific qualifications to foster, but you must be over 21, a British citizen, have a spare bedroom, and be able to offer the time and emotional support a child needs. All prospective foster carers undergo a thorough DBS process to ensure the safety of children. We understand that people may have historical or circumstantial issues in their past, and while there must be no current risk, it is important to be open and honest from the start so we can assess each situation fairly. You will receive full training, ongoing guidance and financial support, and you will work closely with professionals to meet the child’s needs.

In a care context, fostering innovation means encouraging new ideas, approaches and ways of working that improve the lives of children and young people. It is about being open to creative solutions, using the latest research and good practice, and finding better ways to meet each child’s needs. At Progress, we see innovation as part of our commitment to providing the highest quality care — from developing specialist training to using new tools and resources that help children feel safe, supported and able to reach their potential.

Fostering changes lives. It gives children and young people a safe and stable home when they cannot live with their birth family, offering them care, guidance and the chance to build positive memories. A supportive foster home can help a child recover from past experiences, grow in confidence and reach their potential. Fostering is also important for the wider community, as it ensures vulnerable children have the stability and opportunities they need to thrive. By opening your home and heart, you play a vital role in shaping a brighter future for a young person.

Fostering regulations are the laws and legal requirements that guide how fostering is carried out in the UK. They are designed to make sure children in foster care are safe, well cared for and supported to thrive. These regulations cover who can become a foster carer, the approval process, training requirements, and the level of support and supervision carers receive. They also set out the rights of children in care and the responsibilities of everyone involved. At Progress, we follow all fostering regulations closely and provide our carers with the training and guidance they need to meet these standards and feel confident in their role.

Children and young people come into foster care for a variety of reasons, often because they cannot live with their birth families due to difficult or traumatic circumstances. The children who need foster care can be of any age, from babies to teenagers, and may come from diverse backgrounds.

Some children may have experienced neglect, abuse, or family breakdown. Others may have additional needs, such as learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or mental health challenges. There are also children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation or who display emotional and behavioural difficulties. Progress welcomes foster carers from all walks of life, including those with professional experience in health and social care, to provide specialist care for children with more complex needs.

Foster placements can be short-term, long-term, solo care (for children with higher levels of need), short breaks (for children with disabilities), or emergency placements. Each child’s situation is unique, and Progress works to match children with foster carers who can best meet their needs.

Some babies may also come into care with their parent, mother, father or sometimes both. This is known as a parent and child placement. The reason for this placement is to assess whether parents have the capacity to care for their child whilst in a safe and supportive foster care environment.

A specialist foster carer is someone who cares for a child with one or more of the following issues: learning disabilities, physical disabilities and other medical conditions; children with poor mental health; children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation; children who display emotional and behavioural difficulties. Progress welcomes professionals from the health and social care sector who can offer specialist care because of their professional experience.

Step across fostering refers to when a child or young person is transitioning from a residential setting to a foster home. This approach provides a higher level of support to ensure a smooth and stable transition.

If you have children, we will need to explore with them how they will feel and cope with sharing their parents with other children. If you have school age children, you may need to consider how you will be able to transport your children to school as well as a foster child, who may attend a different school to your own.

From your first enquiry to becoming an approved foster carer, the process typically takes around four to six months. This can be shorter if all the necessary checks and training are completed quickly, or longer if additional information or support is needed. At Progress, we guide you through every step, including home visits, background checks, interviews, and mandatory training such as the Skills to Foster course, so you feel fully prepared and confident before welcoming a child into your home. While our process may sometimes be completed in less than the eight months suggested by the regulator, we are no less rigorous in carrying out checks or assessments and always ensure the highest standards of safety and support for children.

The initial visit is where a member of our team comes to your home, either in person or virtually to get to know you, your family, and your living environment. The conversation is thoughtful and unhurried, covering topics such as your childhood, life experiences, work patterns, support networks, health, lifestyle, and daily routines. The aim is not to find perfection but to understand your stability and self-awareness. You are encouraged to speak openly about your expectations and any concerns you may have. Financial stability is also discussed, not to scrutinise your income, but to ensure fostering will not be relied upon as your sole source of financial security. The visit includes looking at the bedroom that may one day belong to a child, as well as other aspects of your home and family life, such as pets and hobbies.This visit is also an opportunity for you to ask questions in person.

A pet assessment is carried out alongside your Form F (Fostering) assessment to make sure your existing pets are safe, well behaved and safe to be around children. The pet assessment will look at things such as temperament, history, training, living arrangements, health and supervision to name a few. In some cases, especially with dogs, a formal assessment by a vet or behaviourist may be needed. It is not about having the perfect pet, but ensuring that they are safe and risks are minimised.

Yes, you will need to complete another form F assessment when transferring from another agency. However, because you have already completed a Form F, the process is usually more streamlined. We use a specific transfer assessment template that builds on information already gathered by your preveious agency. This allows us to focus on your skills, experience and learning gained through fostering, as well as the children you have cared for. Your personal history including your childhood and upbringing, will not need to be reassessed in detail unless there have been significant changes.

Fostering allowances vary widely across the UK and depend on factors such as the type of placement, the child’s needs, the carer’s skills and experience, and the location. At Progress, we offer competitive rates designed to reflect the level of care and commitment our foster carers provide. This includes enhanced allowances for children with additional needs or specialist requirements. Our allowances range from a couple of hundred pounds per week for a baby placement, to around £580 per week for a child with higher needs. In addition, foster carers can receive extra payments through our developmental pathway, which has four bands. Each band offers an increment of £25 per child per week. For example, Band 1 provides an extra £25, Band 2 an extra £50, and so on. Foster carers can work towards higher bands if they wish, with additional payments linked to skills, the number of children they care for, and contributions such as completing reports like Every Child Matters (ECM). While allowances are important, many carers find that the right agency for them is about more than just the weekly payment. The full package of support, training and benefits, as well as the agency’s values and approach to caring for children, all play a key role in making fostering a rewarding experience.

Choosing a fostering agency is a personal decision that depends on finding the right fit for you, your family and the children you hope to care for. While allowances are important, it is equally vital to consider the quality of training, the level of support available, the agency’s Ofsted rating, how well they match children to carers, and whether they have experience in the type of fostering you are interested in, such as caring for children with disabilities. At Progress, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality training, strong support networks and a child-centred approach, alongside a range of opportunities for connection and celebration, including fostering events, youth clubs for children, our annual carers’ awards in February, family fun days, pantomime tickets for the whole family, and a Saturday children’s group. We believe that when carers are well supported and feel part of a community, children have the best chance to thrive.

The best fostering agency is the one that feels right for you, offers the right level of support, and shares your values in caring for children. What matters most is that the agency provides excellent training, is there for you when you need advice, and works hard to match you with arrangements that suit your skills and family life. At Progress, we pride ourselves on our child-centred approach, our strong track record, and the lasting relationships we build with our foster carers. We offer excellent support that includes out-of-hours and weekend availability, with someone always on the phone when needed. We know every foster carer personally and understand the individual needs of the children in our care, so our support is tailored and not just a call centre operation. We believe that when carers feel valued and supported, children have the best chance to thrive.

Yes. Pets can be a wonderful source of comfort for children. Risk assessments are always completed, and the only restriction is on dogs listed as dangerous breeds. Matching will take into account whether a child is comfortable around animals.

There are no rules in the UK that prevent you from becoming a foster carer if you have pets. There are important expectations around pets to ensure children are kept safe. A pet assessment will be completed alongside your Form F assessment. The assessment will look at a number of areas including temperament, behaviour and history of the animal. If you are looking to welcoming a pet into your home once you are an approved foster carer, this will need to be a joint decision with your child's social worker and your agency. Lots of factors will need to be considered such as the needs of your child and whether this is the right decision for your and your child.

To become a foster carer with Progress, you must have a spare bedroom available in your home. This is a key requirement, as each child placed with you needs their own space for privacy and security. If you do not have a spare room, unfortunately, you would not be eligible to foster at this time.

You won't be able to bring casual dates back to your home whilst you have a child placed with you. This is to safeguard everyone involved, especially the young person. It is important to consider the impact of introducing new people into a child's living space. Children in care rely heavily on stability, predictability and routine. A stream of unfamiliar adults can feel unsettling and may undermine their sense of safety. If you begin a new relationship and that person is going to become a regular presence in your home, you must inform your supervising social worker and the child's social worker in advance. A DBS check will need to be completed before they spend significant time in the home or an overnight stay. Early dating should take place outside of the home and ideally during planned respite periods. Maintaining clear boundaries protects the child's wellbeing and your placement stability.

It is possible to foster when you have young children of your own, and many families do so successfully. The decision will depend on your family’s circumstances, your ability to meet the needs of both your own children and any foster children, and whether you have enough space and time to provide the care required. We work closely with you to make sure any placement is a good match for your household, and we provide training and support to help your whole family adjust. Involving your children in the process and preparing them for the changes fostering brings can help everyone feel included and supported.

Having your own children does not affect your ability to foster. However, the age of your own children will impact on the decisions about the placements that you can receive and the types of fostering that you can offer. Some local authorities have specific restrictions whereby they will not place a child who is 2 years older or younger than your own. This needs to be a consideration when becoming a foster carer.

Many of our current specialist foster carers did not have the skills and experience initially. Progress will offer the right training programmes and support to enable you to improve and widen your skills so that you can offer specialist care.

No. The only requirement for becoming a foster carer is that you have a spare bedroom. However, if you are renting a property we require written permission from your landlord giving permission to foster in their property.

There is no legal minimum or maximum age to becoming a foster carer although Progress requires a person to be over the age of 21 to foster. Progress considers and assesses each individual on their own merits and suitability. Progress will consider life experiences and a level of maturity in addition to your suitability to foster.

It is not essential to have parenting skills prior to becoming a foster carer. However, knowledge and experience of looking after children will need to be proven during the assessment process and this can be evidenced if you have previously worked with children or have a wide range of experience in caring for family members. Progress can also offer extensive training in order for you to up-skill in areas that may be required.

Yes. This is not a barrier to fostering. Any application to foster involving two people in a relationship necessitates a joint application, and therefore serious contemplation, along with evidence of stability and commitment.

We welcome applications from single carers. However, in order to become a specialist foster carer, you may need to give up work and therefore require financial stability. You will also need to evidence a strong existing support network.

No. Once approved, each carer will complete an induction and personal development plan to identify your developmental needs. Over the first 12 months you will also work through the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care. Progress will also plan training courses to meet the needs of each individual carer.

Some children in foster care do not communicate using English as their first language and being placed in a home where their first language is spoken is very beneficial to them and can make the transition easier. However, as you will be working with a team of professionals around the child or children, it is essential that you have an adequate level of spoken and written English to enable you to do this and to support the child’s educational development.

Having a faith does not affect your application to foster. Children need to be placed with foster families that can meet their needs, including their religious needs. However, you do need to consider how you would feel about caring for a child who does not share your religious beliefs. If you only wish to care for children who are sympathetic to your faith, we can discuss this. Knowing what you can offer is better than believing you can’t, and not offering at all.

A full medical is undertaken as part of your initial assessment to determine your suitability to foster. Being healthy is an important part of fostering as caring for children is physically and emotionally demanding.

Smoking and passive smoking carry significant risks to children and will be considered during the initial assessment process. Most local authorities will not consider placing a child under the age of 5 with a smoker in the household. Smoking around foster children is prohibited.

All applicants are required to carry out an enhanced police check during the assessment process. Not all criminal convictions will prevent you from being able to foster and should be discussed with Progress during the enquiry stage. However, applicants with any history of sexual offences or cruelty to children will not be considered.

The amount you receive for fostering a child varies depending on their age, needs, the type of foster arrangement and where you live. Standard fostering arrangements for children aged 0–2 years start from £295 per week, while allowances for older children or more complex needs can go up to £580 per week. Specialist arrangements, such as those for children with disabilities or parent-and-child arrangements, can be paid up to £680 per week. In addition, carers are placed on a banding system, with extra payments of £25 per child per week depending on their skills, contributions and the complexity of care. At Progress, we offer these competitive rates alongside full training, ongoing support and guidance to help you provide the best possible care.

Fostering allowances vary depending on factors such as the age and needs of the child, the type of fostering arrangement, and where in the UK you live, with specialist arrangements like caring for children with disabilities or parent-and-child fostering usually receiving higher payments. At Progress, we offer competitive allowances ranging from a couple of hundred pounds per week for a baby to around £580 per week for a child with higher needs, along with a developmental pathway that rewards skills, contributions and professional development through banding, with each band adding £25 per child per week. You will also receive full training, ongoing support, access to specialist advice, and additional benefits such as Westfield Health, which provides health cover and discounts for you and your family, and the Blue Light Card for savings across retail and leisure. While fostering can offer a good level of financial support, many of our foster carers say the greatest reward is making a lasting difference in a child’s life.

In most cases, fostering will not reduce your Universal Credit. Foster care payments are not counted as income for means-tested benefits, which means they are ignored when your Universal Credit is calculated. You can usually continue to receive Universal Credit alongside your fostering allowance. However, it is important to keep your work coach informed and check your specific situation, as there may be other factors that affect your claim. At Progress, we can guide you through the process and signpost you to independent advice if needed. In addition, as a foster carer with Progress, you are approved to access the Fostering Network, which provides definitive advice and guidance on benefits, fostering, and other support matters.

Fostering allowances are usually not taxable because foster carers benefit from the UK’s Qualifying Care Relief scheme. This allows you to earn up to a set annual amount from fostering without paying tax, and for many carers it means the entire allowance is tax-free. The tax-free limit depends on how many children you care for and how long they stay with you. At Progress, we provide workshops on tax and income to help you understand how this works, and the Fostering Network regularly offers workshops where you can access further advice and guidance to be confident about your own circumstances.

In most cases, fostering will not reduce the benefits you receive. Foster care payments are not counted as income for means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, or Tax Credits. This means you can usually continue to claim these while fostering. Some benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, have their own rules, so it is important to check your specific situation. We can help you understand how fostering might affect your finances and point you towards independent advice if needed.

The amount you receive for fostering a child varies depending on their age, needs, the type of foster arrangement and where you live. Standard fostering arrangements for children aged 0–2 years start from £295 per week, while allowances for older children or more complex needs can go up to £580 per week. Specialist arrangements, such as those for children with disabilities or parent-and-child arrangements, can be paid up to £680 per week. In addition, carers are placed on a banding system, with extra payments of £25 per child per week depending on their skills, contributions and the complexity of care. At Progress, we offer these competitive rates alongside full training, ongoing support and guidance to help you provide the best possible care.

Most fostering payments are not taxable because foster carers in the UK qualify for a special tax scheme called Qualifying Care Relief. This allows you to earn up to a set amount each year from fostering without paying tax, and in many cases it means you will not have to pay tax on your fostering income at all. The exact amount you can earn tax-free depends on the number of children you care for and the length of time they are with you. At Progress, we provide workshops on tax and income to help you understand how this works. In addition, the Fostering Network regularly offers workshops where you can access further advice and guidance to feel confident about your finances.

Fostering allowances are usually not taxable because foster carers benefit from the UK’s Qualifying Care Relief scheme. This allows you to earn up to a set annual amount from fostering without paying tax, and for many carers it means the entire allowance is tax-free. The tax-free limit depends on how many children you care for and how long they stay with you. At Progress, we provide workshops on tax and income to help you understand how this works, and the Fostering Network regularly offers workshops where you can access further advice and guidance to be confident about your own circumstances.

Fostering can provide a good level of financial support through allowances and, in some cases, additional fees for specialist placements. These payments are designed to cover the costs of caring for a child, including food, clothing, activities and household expenses, while also recognising the time and commitment involved. For many carers, fostering is their main role and can be financially sustainable, especially with the tax benefits available to foster carers in the UK. However, most foster carers say the greatest rewards are not financial but come from making a real and lasting difference in a child’s life.

Yes. Progress pay a very competitive package for each child placed with you. The amount varies dependent on the age and skills required for each child. Specialist care attracts a higher reward due to the additional demands of the child. Children who have additional needs also have allocated support packages in addition to their monthly maintenance payment.

Holidays can be a lovely way to help your foster child feel settled and included as part of the family but you will need permissions from the child's local authority in advance. UK trips are usually straightforward and can be agreed by the child's social worker. Trips abroad will need a bit more planning with written consent to travel and a passport. Holiday details such as destination, accommodation will need to be shared with the child's local authority. Holidays must fit in around the child's care arrangements.

Holidays can be a lovely way to help your foster child feel settled and included as part of the family but you will need permissions from the child's local authority in advance. UK trips are usually straightforward and can be agreed by the child's social worker. Trips abroad will need a bit more planning with written consent to travel and a passport. Holiday details such as destination, accommodation will need to be shared with the child's local authority. Holidays must fit in around the child's care arrangements.

If you have children, we will need to explore with them how they will feel and cope with sharing their parents with other children. If you have school age children, you may need to consider how you will be able to transport your children to school as well as a foster child, who may attend a different school to your own.

As a foster carer, you are self-employed. Foster carers benefit from generous tax relief. During the assessment process, you would still be entitled to benefits but would need to continue looking for employment if this is a requirement of the job-centre.

This will depend on your individual circumstances, the type of fostering you wish to consider and the flexibility your employment can offer. Specialist foster care requires at least one full-time carer at home. All types of foster care require you to transport a child to and from school and to attend various meetings with professionals. If you’re unsure, contact us for a more in-depth discussion.

For many people, fostering is their full-time role. Caring for a child, especially one who has experienced trauma or has additional needs, can be a demanding and deeply involved commitment. That is why we ask that at least one foster carer in the household is available full-time, so they can give the time, attention and stability the child needs. Every situation is different, and we will work with you to find the right balance for your family and the children in your care.

Yes. If you are considering respite or short-break fostering, you may be able to continue working alongside these fostering arrangements. It is important to remember that this will depend on the type of young person you have and your own preferences. For example, foster carers looking after teenagers may find it easier to balance fostering with other work. However, if you are caring for children in primary school, you would need to be available for school drop-offs, pick-ups and other day-to-day commitments.

Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a fostering arrangement may not work out as planned. This can happen for many reasons, such as a child’s needs changing, a breakdown in relationships, or circumstances within the foster family. When challenges arise, the most important thing is that you are never left to manage them alone. At Progress, we work closely with our foster carers to provide extra support, advice and training, including sessions led by our therapist on how to work through loss or the ending of an arrangement. Depending on the nature of the ending, foster carers can also have one-to-one sessions with the therapist, as we are sensitive to their emotional needs as well as those of the child. If an arrangement does need to end, we ensure the transition is handled carefully so the child feels safe and the foster carer is supported. Our goal is to learn from every situation and help you feel confident to continue fostering.

For many people, fostering is more than a role they take on; it becomes their main focus and a long-term commitment. While it is not a career in the traditional sense, it requires professional skills, ongoing training and a high level of dedication. At Progress, we see our foster carers as professionals in their own right and an integral part of the team around the child, as they know the child better than anyone. We offer a clear developmental pathway where you can work through different competency levels to achieve a higher allowance, alongside comprehensive training that includes all mandatory courses, specialist training tailored to the needs of the child, and therapeutic training through the Solihull Approach, which is embedded into our everyday practice. Foster carers receive an allowance to support the child in their care, and some also receive additional fees that recognise the time, expertise and commitment involved. With the right support, fostering can be a sustainable and rewarding way of life that combines meaningful work with the chance to make a lasting difference.

Progress welcomes both new and existing foster carers. If you are interested in joining our team and you already have a child in place, we can discuss the possibility of the child or children transferring across with you, with the relevant Local Authority.

Yes, you will need to complete another form F assessment when transferring from another agency. However, because you have already completed a Form F, the process is usually more streamlined. We use a specific transfer assessment template that builds on information already gathered by your preveious agency. This allows us to focus on your skills, experience and learning gained through fostering, as well as the children you have cared for. Your personal history including your childhood and upbringing, will not need to be reassessed in detail unless there have been significant changes.

A transferring assessment in fostering (moving from one agency/local authority to another) is usually quicker than your first approval. It can take anywhere between 8 and 12 weeks. The timing will also depend on checks and references and how well your current agency/local authority (LA) works with Progress during the transfer process to ensure a smooth transfer.

Yes, you will be required to go back to panel when transferring from another agency or local authority. This is because each fostering agency is legally responsible for approving foster carers under their own standards. As the new agency Progress will need to verify your suitability, review your fostering history and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

You will not necessarily have to redo your TSD's if you have already completed them. It may be possible for you to provide Progress with a certificate of completion or a copy of your portfolio from your previous agency or local authority (LA).

You will not need to redo all of your training from scratch. Most of your training can be carried over, as well as your Training, Standards and Development portfolio. You may need to update some modules especially if your training is out of date or differs from Progress' requirements.