Our Support
As a foster carer, knowing who supports you — and how they support you — is essential. The right support structure can make the difference between simply coping and truly thriving in your fostering role.
Fostering is rewarding, but it can also be demanding. There will be meetings, school conversations, contact arrangements and moments that require careful judgement. You should never feel that you are managing those responsibilities alone.
Every South Coast Fostering carer has a dedicated supervising social worker. Their role is to guide you, advise you and stand alongside you throughout your fostering journey. We maintain manageable caseloads so that supervision is meaningful and responsive, not rushed. You will have regular visits, reflective discussions and practical help when challenges arise
24/7 support for you when you are fostering
Fostering does not operate within office hours — and neither should your support.
When a child is living with you, situations can arise at any time. Whether it is a practical question, a concern about behaviour or something more urgent, you need to know that advice is available when you need it.
As a South Coast Fostering carer, you will have a dedicated supervising social worker who visits you regularly and builds a consistent working relationship with you. They get to know you, your household and the children placed with you, so their guidance is informed and personal.
In addition, we provide 24/7 out-of-hours support. If an issue arises in the evening, overnight or at the weekend, there will always be an experienced professional available to respond. You will never be left to manage an emergency on your own.
Reliable, accessible support is not an added extra — it is fundamental to safe and successful fostering.
Great Financial Rewards
We believe foster carers should be properly recognised and fairly rewarded for the responsibility they take on. Fostering is not simply about goodwill — it requires time, flexibility and professional commitment.
At South Coast Fostering, we are proud to offer competitive weekly payments for standard fostering:
£479.50 per week for a child aged 0–10
£507.50 per week for a child aged 11 and over
This single, clear weekly fee covers both the allowance for the child’s day-to-day needs and the professional fee recognising your role as a foster carer.
In addition, we provide a council tax contribution to further support our carers financially. We understand that fostering has an impact on your household, and we aim to make the financial side straightforward and sustainable.
Fostering is about care and commitment, but it must also work practically for your family. We are open and transparent about our payments so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Professional Development
We know that foster carers are constantly learning — from their day-to-day experiences, from reflection and from structured training. Development is not an optional extra in fostering; it is central to providing stable, informed and confident care.
That is why we offer a wide range of professional development opportunities throughout the year. Training is delivered in person across Southern England, via live Zoom sessions and through our online learning platform, giving you flexibility alongside quality.
We are careful about the training we provide. Sessions are chosen because they are relevant, practical and directly connected to the realities of fostering. Topics focus on areas that carers genuinely want and need to understand, such as trauma-informed care, attachment, managing behaviour, supporting teenagers, online safety, education and therapeutic approaches.
Our aim is not to overwhelm you with theory, but to equip you with practical tools you can apply in your home. We want training to feel useful and engaging — something that strengthens your confidence rather than adds pressure.
When foster carers feel skilled and supported, children benefit. Investing in your development is part of our wider commitment to high-quality fostering across Southern England.
Carer Testimonials
