Your support
Fostering can be wonderful. It can also ask a lot of you. Good support means having people to think with, learn from and turn to when things get difficult.
Build a relationship with a named supervising social worker through regular visits, reflection and practical advice. We keep caseloads manageable so there is time for you.
Explore this ↗Experienced out-of-hours support is available 24/7. Your usual social worker and the out-of-hours team work together to provide support. We have explained what happens when you get an emergency fostering call.
Preparation and ongoing training help you understand children’s experiences and respond with greater confidence.
Explore this ↗A clearer picture
A difficult school meeting. A change in a child’s behaviour. Working out how best to support family time. Your supervising social worker helps you reflect, plan and work with the other people involved.
Training, supervision and opportunities to learn alongside other carers are part of a wider support network. You should be able to ask questions early, before a concern becomes a bigger problem. We have also set out what happens in the first two weeks after a child arrives.
Independent reassurance
Ofsted’s January 2026 inspection recognised the quality of care and support at South Coast Fostering.
What the inspection found ↗Choose a team you can talk to
SCF has experienced out-of-hours support available 24/7. Before a child arrives, we explain the contact arrangements and what to do when you need advice.
You keep a supervising social worker and continue with supervision and training. Your learning and support should reflect the children you care for and your development as a carer.
Absolutely. Ask us about visits, caseloads, training and how we handle difficult situations. These are useful questions when deciding which agency is right for you.
A conversation, at your pace
You don’t need to be ready to apply. A friendly conversation can help you work out your next step.
A first chat takes about 15–20 minutes. No pressure to apply. Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
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