We Are Recruiting Foster Carers in and around Hampshire
South Coast Fostering is currently recruiting foster carers across Hampshire, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Basingstoke, Andover, Fareham and the surrounding towns and villages. Children and young people in Hampshire need safe, stable homes where they can remain close to their schools, friendships and support networks.
There continues to be a strong need for local foster carers across the county. When children are placed outside their area due to a shortage of carers, it can create additional disruption at an already uncertain time. By fostering locally in Hampshire, you help children stay connected to their community and provide the consistency they need.
Everyone at South Coast Fostering is genuinely committed to supporting both foster carers and the children placed with them. We are guided by a clear purpose: to build positive aspirations in every child, carer and member of staff we work with. When carers feel valued, supported and well prepared, children are more likely to experience stability and progress.
Fostering does not operate on a nine-to-five schedule, and neither do we. Our support continues beyond office hours, with 24/7 advice available whenever it is needed. We remain alongside our carers even when situations are complex or challenging.
As an independent fostering agency focused on Southern England, we provide personalised supervision with manageable social worker caseloads, ongoing training and clear communication. Our foster carers receive £479.50 per week for children aged 0–10 and £507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over, recognising both the fostering allowance and the professional responsibility of the role.
If you live in Hampshire and are considering becoming a foster carer, an informal conversation is often the best first step. We are here to answer your questions clearly and honestly, and to help you explore whether fostering could be right for you.
Values that lead us
01
Doing the right thing, not the easy thing
If something is the right thing to do, then we will always do it, even if it is difficult.
02
Treat Carers As Professionals
We are shocked when we hear how poorly some foster carers have been treated by their fostering service. At SCF we always treat carers as professionals.
03
Family
We see ourselves as one big family. This means we have a deep underlying respect for each other.
04
Always be learning
We see everyday, and every incident as a chance to learn and develop. We help carers and staff reflect on how their actions affect others.
Could You Foster a Baby in Hampshire?
We are particularly looking for baby foster carers across Hampshire, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Basingstoke and the surrounding towns and rural communities.
Fostering a baby is a specialist and highly important role. Babies often come into care at very short notice and need a calm, nurturing home from the very beginning. As a baby foster carer, you provide stability during a crucial stage of development, supporting feeding routines, health appointments and, in many cases, regular contact arrangements.
Unlike most fostering placements, you do not necessarily need a spare bedroom to foster a baby. A newborn can sleep in a crib in your room at the start of the placement. What matters most is that your home is safe, suitable and able to adapt as the baby grows.
If you live in a more rural part of Hampshire, having access to a car is usually essential. Babies may need to attend contact sessions, health appointments or assessments several times a week. However, if you live in one of the main cities with good transport links, this may be less critical depending on location and arrangements.
Baby fostering requires time, patience and availability during the day. In return, you will receive specialist training, dedicated supervision and 24/7 support. Providing a secure and nurturing start in life can have a lasting impact, and we would welcome an informal conversation if you feel this could be right for you.
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
Who we Work With
How can you help?
The following are a few ways in which you can help us, and children in your local community.
Talk to your friends about fostering
If you can’t foster yourself you could talk to your friends and family to see if they can. We will actually reward you for anyone that becomes an approved carer for us.
Give a helping hand to a care leaver
Care leavers might need a helping hand, we have some ideas about how to help
Make a Lasting Difference in Hampshire
Fostering is not about being perfect. It is about being present. It is about offering steadiness when life has felt uncertain, and reassurance when trust needs time to rebuild.In homes across Hampshire, foster carers provide the everyday stability that children need — school runs, shared meals, bedtime routines and patient conversations after a difficult day. These ordinary moments often have an extraordinary impact. They help children feel safe, valued and understood.
Progress in fostering is rarely dramatic. It is often found in small steps forward — improved confidence, better sleep, a willingness to talk, a sense of belonging. Over time, these steps build foundations for stronger futures.
You do not need to have all the answers to become a foster carer. With the right training, guidance and ongoing support, what matters most is your willingness to provide care, consistency and commitment.
By choosing to foster in Hampshire with SCF, you are helping children stay connected to their communities while giving them the stability they deserve. It is a decision that can change a child’s future — and often brings purpose and perspective to your own life as well.