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Fostering in West Sussex

Call a Carer and find out what it's like to support a local child

Have you ever wondered what it’s truly like to foster? Here is your chance to find out! Whether you’re contemplating fostering or would just like to learn more, we are offering the opportunity for you to speak one-on-one with an experienced local Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings Host.

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Meet our carers

Below are some of our amazing West Sussex Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Hosts, who are available for you to arrange a chat with.

Holly

Foster Carers who also run their own businesses
We’re Gary and Holly and we’ve been fostering with West Sussex since 2021. We have two boys aged six and two, who came to us on a ‘short term’ basis but are now with us permanently! We never planned for this outcome, so we always say to expect the unexpected. We’ve had several other children come and go, as well as doing lots of extra learning with the fostering community. We’re busy people with two businesses and a houseful with two dogs and four pigs. Time is precious and it would have been easy to say we don’t have enough time to foster, however, there are so many children who need a safe, loving home, we had to create the time to help. Fostering has transformed our lives and is the best decision we ever made, if you’re considering it, you will not regret it.
Arrange a call
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Rachel

New Foster Carers offering weekend care to children
We are Rachel and Simon, and we began our fostering journey with West Sussex County Council in November 2023, eagerly opening our hearts and home to provide respite care for local children aged 5-18. We specifically offer support over the weekends, fitting this in around our full-time jobs. Although we don't have children of our own, our experience of caring for nieces, nephews, and friends' children has prepared us well for this role! Our weekends are dedicated to creating a nurturing environment, where children feel safe and cherished during their stay with us. While we may still be relatively new to fostering, our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable children is unwavering. If you're considering fostering, know that with dedication and support, even respite care can make a significant difference in a child's life.
Arrange a call
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Kim

New Foster Carers with a young family of their own
We are Andrew and Kim and we live in the Pulborough area with our two birth children, aged six and three. Having been approved to foster in February 2024, the assessment process, and arrival of our first foster child is still very recent. We are currently enjoying caring for a two-month-old baby. Our passion is to see very young children cared for well at the beginning of their lives in order to provide the best possible start for them. We are involved in a close-knit church community and most enjoy being together as a family at the seaside. Andrew works in the charitable sector and travels a fair amount for work, across the UK and abroad. I stay at home with the children and homeschool as well, so there are lots of opportunities for fun and challenge to be had at our house!
Arrange a call
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Sarah

Experienced Carers for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
We are Sarah and Graham and over the last 20 years, we have cared for nearly seventy children from babies up to 18-year-olds and beyond, but our main work has been with teenage girls. We lived in Africa for over twenty years and had a particular interest in supporting children from that continent. Many of the girls we have cared for arrived at Gatwick and were taken into care. Some returned home to a safe country. For others, however, returning home was not an option and so they were brought to us. At present, we are offering short-term and respite care and have recently cared for a small baby, and a girl from Romania. We are involved with Home for Good, a charity encouraging Christians into fostering, adoption, and Supported Lodgings. We are part of a Support Group for Christians fostering and adopting in West Sussex. We would be happy to talk to anyone who has questions about fostering.
Arrange a call
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Jon

Experienced Foster Carers with long-term teenage siblings
My wife, Andi, and I have been fostering for eight years. We felt called to give a long-term home to siblings to prevent them from having to be separated. We currently have a 14 and nearly 13-year-old brother and sister, who have been with us for six years and will remain with us permanently. Andi is the principal carer and was a self-employed hairdresser, allowing her the flexibility to be there for the children, but she has recently retired. I work full time as a practice manager with the East Sussex Youth Justice Service. As such I have extensive knowledge of the trauma and adverse childhood experiences children can experience and the disproportionately high number of care-experienced children in the youth justice system. My work provides me with a lot of transferable skills for supporting troubled children which I apply in my fostering role. Fostering can be difficult at times, but then so can parenting, however, the rewards far outweigh any difficulties you may experience.
Arrange a call
Jon

Keith

New Foster Carers offering weekend breaks to children
My name is Keith, and alongside my wife Amanda, we provide respite care. We have three grown children, seven grandchildren, and two small dogs, so our home is always filled with love and laughter. In addition to our family life, I serve as a procurement manager, while Amanda is a Senior Healthcare Worker. We have a great Social Worker who has matched the children we care for, enabling us to integrate them into our lives, even if only for a short respite. Respite care not only allows us to offer vital support to the children in our care but also serves as a lifeline for their primary caregivers. It has been a rewarding experience for us both and we wish we had started earlier in our lives. By fostering, we have not only provided a safe and nurturing home for children, but have also forged genuine friendships and acquired invaluable skills along the way.
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Keith

Nikki

Transfer Foster Carer of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and teenagers
Hi, my name is Nikki and I began my fostering journey with an independent fostering agency in 2007 because, as a single mother, I wanted my five-year-old son to have other children around. Initially, I was working full-time at Sussex Police, so I started by providing weekend respite care, gradually transitioning to full-time fostering. I took a job in education, where I could offer longer-term support, especially during holidays. I transferred to foster with WSCC in 2014 and currently work in Safeguarding at a secondary school and care for two teenagers: a 19-year-old under the Staying Put scheme, who came to us when she was 12; and an 18-year-old unaccompanied asylum-seeking young person from Zimbabwe, who has been with me for a year. Fostering teenagers has its challenges, but it’s immensely rewarding to witness their growth and progress, making each day a privilege rather than just a job!
Arrange a call
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Jo

Supported Lodgings Host with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and LGBTQ+ young people
Hello, my name is Jo and I am a single Supported Lodgings Host with two sons, the youngest of which came to me through the Foster for Adoption (FfA) scheme. I thought about the possibility of fostering for several years, before the timing felt right. In October 2022, I was approved as a Supported Lodgings Host and had an asylum-seeking young girl arrive a month later, who has been with me ever since. More recently, another young person has come to live with us. For me, it was important to support a young person who is also LGBTQ. I work around 23 hrs a week, with two and a half days off each week which is good as I can be available for my young people and my own children. We’ve shared some low and high points, but I love being a Supported Lodgings Host.
Arrange a call
Jo

Viv

Transfer Foster Carer specialising in parent and child fostering
My Name is Vivien and we have been fostering for 12 years. My family consists of my husband and I plus our two grown-up children and one partner, so a full house! My husband works full time, while I am the main carer. We specialise in Parent and Child fostering but are also approved for children from 0-18 years old, respite, short term and emergency. 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. We have experience of mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, self-harming, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, domestic abuse, plus controlling and coercive behaviour. We also have experience of the court arena. With every child comes a different story, but the training and support you get from WSCC is highly recommended.
Arrange a call
Viv

Call a carer

How it works

Simply have a read of the profiles of our Foster Carers and complete our form below with your details and we will sort the rest! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call on 0330 222 7775.
  • Decide which carer(s) you would like to speak to
  • Complete the quick form below with your details
  • You will then receive a call!

Ready to chat to one of our carers?

There's no pressure. Whether you're at the early stages or just want to chat, we are here to work at your pace.

Simply fill out the form below and we will arrange the rest

Prefer to call us or attend an event?

Give us a call

0330 222 7775

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Frequently asked questions

Who can participate in Call-a-Carer?

We would encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about fostering to get in touch. Whether you’re considering fostering or Supported Lodgings, or you’re simply curious about the fostering experience, book a call with one of our experienced Foster Carers or Supported Lodgings Host.

What types of questions can I ask during the call?

You can ask our Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Host about their experiences, the fostering process, challenges they’ve faced, the support available, how their own children responded, and any other questions you may have about fostering. Our carers are here to provide honest insights and guidance to help you decide if fostering is right for you.

Will my call with the Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings Host be confidential?

Yes, your call with the Foster Carer or Supported Lodgings Host will be confidential. We respect your privacy and ensure that any personal information shared during the conversation remains confidential.

What happens after the call?

After your call, you’ll hopefully have a better understanding of fostering and Supported Lodgings, and whether it’s the right path for you. If you’re interested in taking the next steps, we’ll provide you with information on how to proceed with the fostering process.

Can I book more than one call with different carers?

Absolutely! If you’d like to speak with multiple Foster Carers, or a Foster Carer and a Supported Lodgings Host, to gain different perspectives, or to hear about the different types of care, you’re welcome to book additional calls using our form above.

Be inspired

What you do with your life could forever change someone else's

When you choose to foster, the care and stability you provide can change a child’s entire future.
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