Refer a friend
When you talk about the amazing work you do, people around you are inspired. So, who do you know who would make a great Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings Host? Inspire a friend to foster and receive £1,000 when they join our fostering and supported lodgings community.
Our Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme rewards existing Foster Carers, Supported Lodgings Hosts and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) staff who refer friends or family members to become Foster Carers with us. Referrals help us grow our family of highly trained and expertly supported carers and hosts, who in turn help us meet the needs of the children and young people we care for.
If you have a friend or family member who you feel would make a great Foster Carer or Host, please tell them about our Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme and ask them to get in touch with us. They can do this via our online enquiry form or by calling our friendly Fostering Recruitment team on 0330 222 7775.
Make sure they mention your name when they get in touch so we know you sent them our way.
You will receive £1,000 for every Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings household you refer that goes on to be approved by West Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council or East Sussex County Council.
If approved by West Sussex County Council, your friend or family member will also receive £750 once approved as a Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings Host as part of our welcome bonus scheme.
Friends and family members who are already Foster Carers with other organisations can also be referred to us.
By taking part in our Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme you’re helping us to ensure that the children we care for have the safe, loving and local homes that they deserve.
Terms and conditions
1. The Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme is open to referrals from: All approved WSCC, ESCC and B&H Foster Carers; WSCC staff where the referral is for a personal friend of family connection. Please note: the Inspire a Friend to Foster bonus does not apply for social work staff who routinely have direct contact with Independent Fostering Agency Foster Carers or who otherwise refer a contact made through your professional role.
2. Full details of the referrer must be given at initial enquiry stage by the applicant to be eligible for the Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme.
3. All prospective Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Hosts go through a comprehensive assessment process to establish their suitability for the role. Payments will only be made on approval of a new Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings Host.
4. The Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme and welcome bonus is applicable to recruited Foster Carers, including stayover carers, and Supported Lodgings Hosts.
5. Tax implications may apply.
6. This Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme commenced on 14 November 2022 and was updated on 11 December 2025. West Sussex County Council reserves the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw the Inspire a Friend to Foster scheme and welcome bonus scheme at any time and without notice.
