Together we can give children a childhood

Foster for West Sussex County Council

Do you work in education and wonder whether fostering or supported lodgings could be for you? Absolutely! You see first hand the vulnerable children who need routines, safety and care. Your experience and skills are already making a difference, but there is more you could do – and we are here to support you every step of the way!

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Be inspired by our film, 'Childhood'

fosterinG OPTIONS

You can work and foster!

Across West Sussex, there is a growing demand for Foster Carers from all walks of life. Here are some types of fostering that you could do alongside your important education work:

Emergency Care

If you currently have school holidays off, you could become an Emergency Foster Carer. Our greatest need is during school holidays. All we ask is for a minimum commitment of four weeks a year.

Stayovers

You can offer as little as one weekend a month by offering Stayover care! You would be matched with one child, giving them another trusted adult in their network, and providing them with new experiences.

Supported Lodgings

Supported Lodgings helps young people aged 16-24 learn skills for independence, with the security of having you guide and advocate for them as they transition into adulthood.

education experience

Why people with education experience make great Foster Carers

If you work with children every day, you will understand their needs beyond the classroom. You will be skilled at listening and connecting with children, and will know the importance of structure and routine to help them feel safe. To better understand how your knowledge and experience could support the needs of the children we care for, read our blog article.

Read blog

education STORY

"Teachers helped shape who I am" Karla's Story

Karla Cook, Pastoral Manager in the Safeguarding Team at Davison High School – the school she once attended as a student - shares her experience of growing up in Foster Care and how her teachers formed an important part of that.

Read story

PLAY YOUR PART

Unable to foster, but would love to help?

We understand that not everyone is in a position to foster, but there are still ways you - or your school - could play an important role in giving children a loving home:

Become a Fostering Friendly school

West Sussex County Council has created a Foster Carer Support Policy which you can ask your SLT and Governors to adopt. This helps support existing Foster Carers, and those going through the assessment process.

Download guide

Newsletter content for parents and staff

One very simple way to help us promote fostering and support lodgings is to request short articles to include in newsletters. We can provide 150 words and a photo for you to share internally or with your parent body.

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Host an information session

Whether it's a CPD session for staff, or an information event for parents, our friendly team is here to help. We can run online or in-person events at your school, and give you the tools to promote this in advance.

enquire now

Ready to change a child's life together?

There's never any pressure from us, so whether you're at the early stages of considering fostering, or eager to take the next step, our fostering team is here to support you.

Simply fill out the form or contact us below for an informal chat.

Prefer to call us or attend an event?

Give us a call

0330 222 7775

Attend an event

Book an info session