Contact the West Sussex Fostering Team
Whether you’ve just started thinking about fostering or you’re ready to take the next step, contacting the West Sussex fostering Recruitment and Assessment team (Pictured) is the best place to begin.
Our friendly Child and Family Workers, Jane, Chris and Wendy, are on hand to respond to your calls or enquiry forms. They are ready to answer your questions, from eligibility and allowances to what the assessment process involves.
As the official West Sussex County Council fostering contact, we’re here to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision.
How to contact our West Sussex Fostering Team
Complete the enquiry form below and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can reach us directly by:
Phone: 0330 222 7775
Email: fostering@westsussex.gov.uk
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
If you contact us outside of these hours, please leave a voicemail and we’ll call you back the next working day.
What happens after you get in touch?
Once you’ve made contact with the Fostering West Sussex team, one of our experienced Child and Family Workers will get in touch with you directly. They’ll answer all your initial questions; help you understand the types of fostering that could work best for you and your household; and hopefully book you in for an initial home visit.
Many people contact us simply to find out more about fostering, which is absolutely fine. When you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll be here. There is absolutely no obligation at this point.
Not ready to call?
Here are other ways to learn moreIf you'd like to find out more before getting in touch, we have a range of resources to help:
- Join a free information session - Attend one of our regular online or in-person sessions to hear from our team and current foster carers.
- Talk to a Foster Carer - Speak directly with someone who fosters with Fostering West Sussex. The team can make an introduction.
- Read Steps to becoming a Foster Carer - Understand the full journey from first enquiry to approval.
- Fostering Payment Calculator - See what allowances and payments you could receive.
- Read our FAQs - Browse answers to the most common questions about fostering in West Sussex.
Thank you for visiting the Fostering West Sussex Contact Page, we hope you have found all the information you were looking for; to stay up to date, please follow us on our social media channels, links can be found at the bottom of the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will someone get back to me?
We aim to respond to all online enquiries within two working days, but if you’re contacting us during the week, it’s likely to be within a few hours. If you’d prefer a quicker response, calling us directly on 0330 222 7775 during office hours is the fastest way to reach our team.
Can I contact the West Sussex fostering team outside of office hours?
Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding public holidays. If you call outside of these hours, you can leave a voicemail and we will call you back the next working day. You can also submit an online enquiry at any time, and we’ll respond within two working days. We aim to be flexible, so if you are unable to speak to our team during work hours, please indicate the best day and time for you and we will endeavour to contact you then.
What if I'm not sure whether I'm eligible to foster?
That’s exactly what we’re here for. Even if you’re unsure, please get in touch and we can talk you through the requirements. You can also try our Can I Foster? Quiz for a quick initial guide.
Is there any commitment involved in contacting you?
None at all. We know that choosing to foster is a big decision and we will always go at your pace. Making an enquiry is simply the first step in finding out whether fostering is right for you, but you’re under no obligation to take it further.
Is Fostering West Sussex the official West Sussex County Council fostering team?
Fostering West Sussex is indeed the official West Sussex fostering contact within West Sussex County Council. We are the not-for-profit local authority Fostering Service within the Children, Young People and Learning Directorate, which means we have corporate responsibility for the children in our care and an ambition to achieve the best outcomes for our children. It also means we work closely with colleagues across the council – our Children’s Social Workers get to know our children, and we get to know our carers – which helps us ensure the best possible matching between carers and children. Colleagues also provide training and support with transitions (for example to adoption or leaving care, etc).
