Your fostering journey starts here
Take the next step in your journey
Becoming a foster carer is often a journey rather than a single decision. Some people move through that journey quite quickly, while others prefer to take a little more time to think things through.
What matters most is that you move at a pace that feels right for you. You should never feel pressured to go faster than you’re comfortable with.
To help, we’ve put together some guidance about possible next steps, depending on where you are in your fostering journey.
First Thoughts:
For many people, fostering is something they think about for quite a long time before deciding to apply. It’s a big step, so it’s important to make sure it feels like the right decision for you and your family.
A good place to start is simply by doing some research. You might read information on fostering websites, speak to a fostering agency, or download a guide that explains how the process works.
At this stage, it’s completely normal to have lots of questions. Many general questions can be answered by reading information online, but sometimes it’s helpful to speak to someone directly if you have a more specific question about your own situation.
Download our free guide to fostering
Step 2 - Specific Questions About Your Circumstances
Once you’ve read some information about fostering, it’s very common to start thinking about how it might work in your own situation. The most common question we hear is simply: “Can I foster if…?”
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and sometimes the easiest way to get a clear answer is to ask directly.
The quickest way to do this is through our dedicated WhatsApp helpline. Just click the button below and send us your question.
Step 3 - Ready to decide who to foster with?
If you feel ready to move forward with fostering, the next step is usually to speak with a few fostering agencies and decide which one feels right for you.
We normally suggest talking to two or three independent fostering agencies so you can get a good sense of how each one works. Of course, we’d love it if South Coast Fostering was one of them.
Our initial call is simply a chance for you to ask questions and find out more about fostering and how we support our carers. There’s no pressure — it’s really about helping you decide what feels right for you.
If you’d like to have a conversation with us, just use the form below and we’ll give you a call back.
Step 4 - You've made the decision you want to join South Coast Fostering
If you’ve decided that fostering is right for you, and that you would like to foster with South Coast Fostering (which we think is an excellent choice), the next step is to register your interest with us.
At this stage, we just need a few more details from you so we can get the process started and arrange the next steps in your fostering journey.
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