Inspired to foster
Inspired to foster?
Thank you for clicking onto this page. This means that someone you know thinks you could be a great foster carer, able to support and enrich the lives of local children who need a foster family.
They have signposted you to us because they foster for us or work with East Sussex County Council’s fostering service already.
When you see the amazing work our foster carers do, it’s no wonder you’ve been inspired to find out more…
Why choose fostering?
Fostering offers children aged 0-18 a safe and caring family, while they are unable to live with their own, and provides an opportunity for other professionals to work with the family to help resolve their issues.
There are several different types of fostering including ‘16+ fostering’ which is for young people aged 16 and above who need the chance to develop the necessary skills to move successfully on to full independence.
Our foster carers come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, so that we meet the needs of children and young people we care for.
People from all walks of life can make great foster carers with the right training and support. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available.
We could list all the reasons why fostering could be a fulfilling life-choice for you, but listen to our existing foster carers put it into their words in our video.
Why foster with us?
As the local authority, East Sussex County Council are responsible for every single child in East Sussex who needs care, from newborns to teenagers.
We always find homes for children with our own foster carers first. We will only consider using carers from an independent fostering agency if we do not have enough available foster carers of our own at the time.
- Give them back their childhood when you become a foster carer with ESCC
The video above captures the story about 'Sophie' and her younger brother 'Charlie'. Often there is no adult to meet their needs and they are trying their best cope on their own. With the support of our foster carers, children like Sophie and Charlie can enjoy their childhood.
What next?
We are sure you already know a fair amount about fostering from your friend. We also know that everyone’s situation, backgrounds and experiences are different. This is great, because the children we care for are all unique too and we aim for the best possible match.
So, the next step is to get in touch with our team to chat through the various types of fostering which might suit you and answer any other questions you have. Don't forget to mention the name of your East Sussex Fostering friend who signposted you to get in touch with us*. Then, we’ll take it from there together, at your pace.
- Telephone 01323 464129
- Join an online information event and meet the team
- Complete an enquiry form.
*If you are new to fostering and your application progresses through to you becoming an approved foster carer, the friend who referred you will receive a referral reward. Of course, your enquiry and assessment will remain completely confidential throughout the process