Become a foster carer
We need foster carers from all walks of life who can provide different types of foster care to provide safety, stability and a safe place to stay for babies, children, young people, teenagers and sibling groups in our region.
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 an information pack from Foster with North East
You can also contact Foster with North East via telephone by calling 0800 917 7771 or visit the Foster with North East website for more information.
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.
Events and information sessions
We hold a range of virtual and in-person information sessions throughout the year to help you learn more about fostering and becoming a foster carer.
It's an opportunity to ask any questions and to meet our friendly team who will talk in more detail about:
- what being a foster carer means
- what makes a good foster carer
- myth busters
- the journey to become a foster carer
- what to expect during the fostering assessment
- the support you will receive
Attending an information session is the first step in what could be a very exciting and rewarding decision. We hope you can join us on one of the following dates to find out more about becoming a foster carer:
Monday 11 May 2026, 1pm to 4pm - information stand at Thornaby Library, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Thornaby, TS17 7EW
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 9.30am to 12.30pm - information stand at Billingham Library, Kingsway, Billingham, TS23 2LN
Friday 15 May 2026, 1.30pm to 4.30pm - information stand at Stockton Central Library, Church Road, Stockton, TS18 1TU
Tuesday 19 May 2026, 6pm to 7pm - online fostering information session
Saturday 20 June, 9am to 4pm - information stand at Stockton Town Football Club Family Fun Day at Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
Monday 29 June 2026, 6pm to 7pm - online fostering information session
Saturday 18 July, 10am to 2pm - information stand at the Here to Help event at Stockton Waterfront urban park
Tuesday 28 July 2026, 6pm to 7pm - online fostering information session
Monday 28 September 2026, 6pm to 7pm - online fostering information session
Thursday 22 October 2026, 6pm to 7pm - online fostering information session
Monday 30 November 2026, 6pm to 7pm - online fostering information session
Our online information sessions are delivered via Teams. Once you have registered you will be sent some simple instructions of how to join the call on a smart phone or tablet.
Book your place on an online information session
Fostering case study
Claire and Olly have been Foster Carers with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for over 10 years. In this video they speak about what motivated them to foster, their experience of fostering teenagers and their birth daughters share what it's like growing up in a fostering family.
