Foster carers needed in Bournemouth

South Coast Fostering is actively recruiting foster carers in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, including Poole, Christchurch, Ferndown and across the wider Dorset region. Children and young people in these communities need safe, stable homes where they can feel secure and supported close to everything familiar to them.

When there are not enough local foster carers, children may need to move further away from their schools, friendships and support networks. By fostering in Bournemouth, you can help reduce that disruption and provide stability at a crucial time in a child’s life.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Foster carers come from a wide range of professions, cultures and life experiences. Some continue in other employment where appropriate, while others choose to focus on fostering more fully once they understand the level of commitment involved. What matters most is reliability, emotional resilience and the ability to provide consistent care.

Fostering is not simply about offering accommodation. It is about creating a calm and structured environment, supporting education and wellbeing, and working alongside social workers and other professionals as part of a wider team. You will receive training, ongoing supervision and 24/7 support to ensure you are never managing challenges alone.

South Coast Fostering 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 or near Bournemouth and feel you could provide patience, stability and encouragement to a child who needs it, 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.