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Become a foster carer

Foster carers provide a stable family life for children and young people who are unable to live with their parents at a particular point in their lives.

To become a foster carer, you need to:

  • be 25 or over (in some circumstances we will consider people between 21 and 25 years old)
  • have a separate spare bedroom suitable for a child or young person (unless you are fostering babies who can be accommodated in a cot in a main bedroom)
  • be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain
  • have the time and commitment to give to a child or young person, often on a full-time basis

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, request a fostering information pack.

Request a fostering information pack

You can also use the following contact details to get in touch.

Phone: 01642 526218

Email: child.placement@stockton.gov.uk

What happens next?

To find out about the next steps after you make your enquiry including the assessment, read our step-by-step guide to becoming a foster carer.

Further information

Information sessions

We hold a range of information sessions throughout the year to help you learn more about becoming a foster carer. They're informal and local. They offer a convenient way to ask questions before progressing to the 'Initial Visit' stage, when a Social Worker will visit you at home.

Visit one of our information stands or book onto one of the following information sessions by contacting 01642 526218, email child.placement@stockton.gov.uk or visit us on facebook.

  • Information stand - Friday 13 Januray 2023 at North Tees Hospital
  • Virtual information session (dependent upon interest) - Monday 30 January 2023, 5pm to 7pm
  • Information session - Wednesday 8 February 2023, 10am to 12pm at Yarm Library
  • Virtual information session - Thursday 23 February 2023 
  • Information session - Thursday 9 March 23, 1pm to 3pm at Ingleby Barwick Library