Could you foster a child like
Foster for West Sussex County Council
From teenagers navigating big emotions, to siblings who long to stay together, to little ones who need routine and reassurance – we ask you to see our children, to recognise their strengths, to look beyond the difficulties they’ve encountered and consider whether you could nurture their interests, share in their adventures, and bring fun and joy to their lives.
Meet Our Children
We'd like to introduce you to some of the remarkable children across West Sussex who currently require a fostering family.
While we are changing their names and photos to protect their identities, these are all real profiles of young people who need a safe and nurturing place to call home.
Each of our 980 children has a unique story. Each child is wonderfully individual. And each one needs love, support, and the chance to thrive.
These aren’t just profiles. These are real children - children in West Sussex who need someone like you to provide stability, consistency, love and care.
Sam... loves dinosaurs
Sam is a lively, confident, happy five-year-old with three siblings. He loves playing with his toys - particularly his dinosaurs - and enjoys being outdoors and riding his bicycle. Sam is doing well at school, engages well in lessons, and has a good group of friends. Sam needs to be supported to have daily routines in place and consistent boundaries. He would benefit from living in a stimulating home with his siblings or other children, where he can participate in age-appropriate games and new opportunities and experiences. Having the opportunity to take part in sporting activities and clubs would be beneficial.
Holly... loves her toy kitchen
Holly is a two-year-old girl, who can walk on her own, eat solid food without help, and is very active. Holly is not yet speaking in full sentences but communicates using sounds, hand gestures and simple words. Holly needs carers who can provide consistency, boundaries and routines, alongside age-appropriate activities to help her meet her developmental milestones. She would benefit from attending nursery and local groups such as rhyme time to help develop her language and social skills. She loves dressing up and role play - especially her toy kitchen. She enjoys being around other children and adults, and is lovely and bubbly!
Matthew... is full of bounce!
Matthew is a nine-year-old boy who is polite and friendly and ready to engage in activities. He has an enthusiastic approach to life and is always willing to try new things. Family relationships are important to Matthew, and he particularly likes playing with his cousins. Matthew is autistic and attends a special school and needs a calm, empathetic, therapeutic carer to help soothe and regulate Matthew's feelings at times of distress. Matthew likes reading, enjoys playing games and loves bouncing on a trampoline!
Eve and Alex... enjoy being creative
Eve, aged 9, and her sister love painting and being creative. Eve is the eldest sibling and is particularly close to her younger sister, Alex, who’s 7. Eve and Alex both enjoy school and have a number of friends. Eve has taken on a ‘mothering’ role towards her younger siblings, while Alex is quieter and more sensitive. Both girls have been quite anxious about the care plan for their family - particularly whether they will be able to stay together, and see grandparents. Eve and Alex enjoy doing each other’s hair, getting dressed up to go out, singing and dancing. Eve has been described by her carers as a ‘delightful child’, and Alex is popular with her classmates.
Chris... wants to be a mechanic
Chris is 16 and is currently living with Mum, but sadly, there are too many vulnerabilities for him to remain there and space is limited. He really likes animals, especially dogs. Fitness and exercise are important to Chris, particularly playing football and running. Chris has an Education and Health Care Plan and will need support to help him prepare for living independently. He is currently studying motor vehicle maintenance at college, has a girlfriend, and likes spending time with friends. Chris can travel independently, but needs some boundaries around curfews and good communication about sharing his whereabouts. Chris likes wearing nice clothes and would like a part-time job - ideally related to car mechanics - to have more money to spend. He would need support to develop his skills for independence - particularly around managing a budget.
Learn about supported lodgings
Charlie... loves reading
Charlie is 11 years old and is ready to move to a fostering family who can provide the care he needs to grow and become more confident. Ideally, Charlie would be the youngest child and could live with an older child. He wants to be woken up and taken to school by the same person. Charlie loves reading, visiting museums, castles and learning about history. Charlie finds school tricky, especially learning in large classes, although his attendance is very good. He would like to have school friends and isn’t confident to make these. Charlie will be starting secondary school in September. He will need to feel secure with his new family to support him with this transition and settling into a new school. Charlie is very well liked where he lives, and is described as very kind, enjoys looking after those around him and knows some great jokes!
Your fostering journey
Why foster with us at West Sussex County Council?
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.
Commonly asked questions about fostering
What is involved in fostering?
Fostering means providing a safe, stable, and nurturing home for a child who cannot live with their birth family. As a Foster Carer, you’ll offer emotional support, guidance, and everyday care to help a child feel safe, secure and valued. The role varies depending on the child’s needs and the type of fostering you choose – whether it’s short-term, long-term, emergency, respite care, or for a specific age of children.
Is fostering a career?
For many of our Foster Carers, fostering becomes a deeply rewarding full-time career. Foster Carers are self-employed and work from home, which is really attractive – especially if you need flexibility in a job around your own children and other commitments. While some Foster Carers continue working alongside fostering (if they can, depending on the type of care they provide), others dedicate themselves entirely to the role. Fostering is not just a job though, it’s a life-changing experience that makes a positive difference in a child’s life.
What pay will I receive?
Foster Carers receive a competitive financial pay with additional allowances to cover the costs of caring for a child. The qualifying care relief taxable income threshold for Foster Carers is £19,360, with many of our carers paying little to no income tax. The exact amount you’ll receive will depend on the age of the child, their specific needs, and the type of fostering you provide and how much fostering experience/training you have. Try our Fostering Payments Calculator!
What if I have children living at home?
Many Foster Carers have children living at home, and fostering can be a hugely rewarding experience for the whole family. Your children will have the opportunity to develop empathy, understanding, and to form lifelong friendships. Head on over to the Stories section to hear first-hand from our foster families who care alongside other children in the family.
When is the right time to foster?
There is no ‘perfect’ time to foster and people start their fostering journey at all stages of life. If you have a spare room and the desire to support a local child, then now is the right time to get in touch! Indeed, one thing that almost every carer tells us is that they thought about it for a while, and wish they had done it sooner!
Inspiring stories from carers and young people
Fostering stories
"It has been one of the best decisions of our lives"
“We keep them company!"
“I think I’m one of the luckiest people!"
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.