Foster carers provide safe and loving homes for children who can't live with their own families.
This can be for a few weeks, months, or until the child becomes an adult. These children may have faced difficult experiences or their families might not be able to care for them safely.
Who decides when children need foster care?
Local authorities and the courts decide when a child can't stay with their family.
Surrey County Council Fostering Service supports these children and their foster carers. We find suitable foster families to ensure children are well cared for and have the best possible future.
What do foster carers do?
Foster carers do many of the same things parents do, like:
- Taking children to and from school
- Taking them to medical and dental appointments
- Attending meetings
- Visiting friends
- Supporting the child with their needs
People from all walks of life can become foster carers. We provide training, assessment, and ongoing support to help you care for children.
Foster carers are part of a team of professionals who help children adjust to a new family life and recover from traumatic experiences they may have had earlier in their lives. We will help you think about whether looking after children for short or longer periods of time works better in your situation.
Are there different types of fostering?
There are many types of fostering and lots of different children need foster care.
This includes babies, teenagers, groups of brothers and sisters, children with disabilities and young people who are seeking asylum and safety in the UK.
How can I help?
If you are unsure about becoming a foster carer or are not currently in a position to consider it, there are many other ways you can support the Fostering Service.
Please consider fundraising with Surrey County Council through a Foster Walk for The Fostering Network. Donating or organising a walk yourself will help raise funds and awareness to support Carers and children in care all over the UK.
Join our Independent Visitor Service (IVS) which recruits, trains, and supports adult volunteers to befriend children and young people in care. Contact them directly via email at independentvisitors@surreycc.gov.uk or call Veronica on 07929 728 935. You can find more information on our Surrey Jobs site listing.
At Surrey County Council, we’re proud to support foster carers not just at home, but in the workplace too. That’s why we’re part of The Fostering Network’s Fostering Friendly Employers scheme. This is a national initiative that encourages businesses to support employees who foster.
Nearly 40% of foster carers combine fostering with other work. A supportive employer can make all the difference, helping carers balance their careers with the vital role of caring for children. You can also become a Fostering Friendly Employer and enjoy the benefits! Through this scheme, we invite local businesses to join us in creating more flexible, supportive workplaces for foster carers across Surrey. For more information please reach out to us at fostering.marketing@surreycc.gov.uk.
Fostering is a community-wide effort, and your organisation can make a meaningful impact. By becoming a Surrey Fostering Community Partner, you can support local foster carers by offering space for support groups or recruitment events, inviting us to your community gatherings, or providing resources and time that help us raise awareness and support families. Whether you're a business, venue, or community group, your involvement helps children thrive. If you're interested in partnering with us, please get in touch at fostering.marketing@surreycc.gov.uk.
