Everything - Become a Foster Carer - Fostering West Sussex

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Your fostering journey

Why foster with us at West Sussex County Council?

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.

Foster Carer stories

Then and now foster care journeys

"For Ollie, my proudest moment was him passing his GCSEs. He then went onto college, completed an apprenticeship, passed his driving test at 17 and is now is a fully qualified car mechanic. Marcus has Autism and a learning disability. He has flourished into an amazing young man."

Foster Carer, Maz (and George)

"Even though Auntie Sam and I aren’t blood-related, I consider her a huge part of my life and wouldn’t trade it for anything! I know she loves me very much and although we don’t see each other that often, our relationship only gets stronger.”

Care-experienced young person, Chey

"Pete was very small and, at aged 4, was wearing 12-18-month-old clothes. He has done amazingly well over the years – he joined the England swim squad and is a good horse rider and competed when he was younger."

Foster Carer Maz

"Pete (and his half-sister, Louisa) came into our lives in June 1992 – he is now 36 and she is 39. They both still live with us under Shared Lives. There has always been a close connection between us and this is what has kept us all together over the years."

Foster Carer George

“I have kept in touch because firstly, Sarah and Graham were the most lovely, caring and compassionate people I first met in a country where I knew no one. I felt love and cared for even though I was worried that, as a child, I couldn’t get that."

Care-experienced young person, Nasratu

Ready to change a child's life together?

There's no pressure at this stage. Whether you're at the early stages of considering fostering, or ready to take the next step, our fostering team are here to support your journey.

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

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