Foster carers needed in Crawley
Foster carers are in short supply across the UK, and West Sussex is no exception. In Crawley and the surrounding areas, children and young people need safe, stable homes where they can remain close to their schools, friendships and local support networks. When there are not enough local foster carers, children may have to move further away from everything familiar to them.
South Coast Fostering is committed to helping address the need for more foster carers in Crawley and across West Sussex. Our aim is simple: to ensure children who cannot live with their birth families are cared for in nurturing, well-supported foster homes within their own communities wherever possible.
As an independent fostering agency focused on Southern England, we provide clear guidance and ongoing support for individuals and families who are considering fostering. From your first enquiry through to approval and beyond, you will have a dedicated supervising social worker, access to structured training and 24/7 out-of-hours support.
We welcome applications from people of different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. You will usually need a spare bedroom, unless you are applying to foster a baby, where a separate bedroom may not be required at the start. What matters most is your ability to offer stability, patience and a safe home environment.
Our foster carers receive £479.50 per week for children aged 0–10 and £507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over. This payment reflects both the fostering allowance and the professional responsibility of the role.
If you live in Crawley, Three Bridges, Pound Hill, Broadfield or nearby areas and are thinking about becoming a foster carer, we would welcome an informal conversation. Taking the first step does not commit you to anything — it simply allows you to explore whether fostering could be right for you.
What do you need to Be a Foster carer?
The most important thing is that you have a spare bedroom and a good level of availability – being around during the school holidays and doing the school run, for example.
Support you'll receive from us
- 24/7 support from your supervising social worker
- £479.50/507.50 a week in fostering allowance and fees to foster
- Intensive training program to help you be the best you can be
Where are we recruiting?
We need new foster carers across all of Southern England. Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Isle Of Wight, Surrey, London, Berkshire, Wiltshire.
Crawley
Next Steps
Depending on where you are in your fostering journey, we have a few suggested next steps.
Download Our Guide To Fostering
Arrange for a call back
Ask us a question via whatsapp
We keep your person information safe, and only use it to contact you in the way you’ve asked us to.
book a call about fostering:
We’d be happy to give you a 15-20 minute call to tell you about fostering. Don’t worry, there’s no pressure from us – it’s honestly a chance for you to ask us any questions you have about fostering, and your suitability. Just complete this short form
Fostering is about offering steadiness when a child’s world may feel uncertain. It is about being the consistent presence that helps rebuild trust, confidence and hope. While the challenges are real, so too is the impact you can make through everyday care, patience and encouragement.
Many foster carers say that the most meaningful moments are often the quiet ones — a child beginning to settle into school, feeling safe enough to share their worries, or simply relaxing into family life. These small steps forward can mark the beginning of something much bigger.
You do not need to be extraordinary to foster. You simply need the willingness to provide stability, understanding and a safe place to grow. With the right support around you, fostering can be one of the most purposeful decisions you make — not only changing a child’s life, but enriching your own in the process.
