Existing Foster Carer

Already a Foster Carer?

If you are already a Foster Carer with an independent fostering agency or another Local Authority, we would love to hear from you. As a transfer, your assessment will be prioritised, as we know you already have the experience and skills to foster. And, as a Local Authority Foster Carer, you will always be our first choice when seeking a foster home for a young person in our care.

We have a dedicated Transfer Hub within our Fostering Recruitment team. These social workers are experienced in assessing transferring Foster Carers, working in partnership with your current agency to make the process as swift and smooth for you as possible.

Enquire online

Your fostering journey

Why transfer to us?

We take care of the entire fostering process, from your initial enquiry through to your final assessment and beyond, so you can focus on what matters most - providing love and support to our local children across West Sussex.

We're not-for-profit

We operate as a strictly not-for-profit fostering service. Unlike Independent Fostering Agencies, all our resources are dedicated to supporting the lives of the young people in our care and our foster families across West Sussex.

We keep children in their local community

By fostering with us, you help ensure that local children can remain in West Sussex, maintaining important relationships with friends, family and school, accessing after-school clubs and much more.

Financial Support

We offer a competitive financial package of up to £30k a year (for each child in your care), including a £750 welcome bonus for those who join our fostering family. Plus additional payments for specialist roles, as well as allowances.

Matching Process

It’s our job to work closely with you to find the most suitable match between you and a foster child. We understand that every child is unique, and we strive to find the best possible match to ensure a successful relationship.

Comprehensive Training

We provide comprehensive training and opportunities for ongoing professional development to equip you with all the skills and knowledge you need to be an exceptional Foster Carer.

Professional and
Peer Support

With your own dedicated Supervising Social Worker, access to out-of-hours assistance, support groups and peer mentoring, there are many ways we support our Foster Carers.

I'd never wanted to be with the local authority because it just didn't seem to offer the training, support and the financial package. Then my son said to me, "I'm really not happy with you doing the private stuff and not fostering for West Sussex': so I phoned and it was just as good! The response was quick and we transferred over and honestly, the support and training that we get and the financial package matches, and in some ways exceeds whatever we've had before. And we've continued to do the underfives and that really suits us.

Sam, who previously fostered with an Independent Fostering Agency and joined us in 2019

fostering-west-sussex-foster-carer-story-sam

When we started fostering, we were with an agency, but left because of the lack of support and poor communication. With WSCC, we get so much more support, communication is so much better, there is a great sense of belonging and a caring family atmosphere, plus extensive training.

Viv, who previously fostered with an Independent Fostering Agency and joined us in 2023

Professional support & competitive pay

Thinking of transferring to West Sussex?

If you’re already a Foster Carer and are interested in joining our fostering family, call our dedicated Fostering Recruitment team and ask for one of our transfer specialists. They will talk you through the easy process of transferring to our fostering service and the great benefits available when you foster local children through WSCC.

To get in touch, complete our quick online enquiry form or give us a call. Our phone lines are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday but you can leave us a message outside of these hours and we'll call you back.

Enquire onlinecall 0330 222 7775