Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

About foster carers

• Do you like children?
• Do you have energy, patience and a good sense of humour?
• Can you work as part of a team?

If you answered yes to these questions,  the children of Stockton need you!

Foster carers come from all walks of life just like the children who need foster care:

• You may be married, single, divorced or in a partnership with someone.
• You may have your own children or be childless but have experience of working with children or caring for children through your own family networks.
• Foster carers may own their own homes or rent.
• You or your partner may be employed or unemployed.
• You cannot be a foster carer if you have offences against children or have any violence related offences. 
• You should be over 26 years old (this is not a legal requirement but our experience tells us the task of fostering needs a level of life experience and maturity).
• Disability does not prevent you from becoming a foster carer.
• Your sexuality will not prevent you being approved as a foster carer.
• We need foster carers from all races and cultures to reflect the race and culture of the children we look after.
• You may be religious or not.

Jackie Ward, Child Placement Manager at Stockton Council, recently talked to BBC Tees about the need for more foster carers in Stockton-on-Tees and about the rewards of fostering. Listen to the interview with Jackie Ward (4909KB, .mp3).