Become a Foster Carer with Five Rivers Child Care

What do Foster Carers do?

Foster Carers are kind, compassionate people who open their hearts and homes to some of society’s most vulnerable children.

Foster Carers give children a sense of safety and belonging, often for the first time. They provide a safe haven, helping children heal from unimaginable hardships and traumas. They give children a second chance – an opportunity to rediscover joy, trust, and enjoyment in life. Ultimately, they turn children’s lives around – and we support them every step of the way.

“I didn’t know that people could be good until I met my Foster Carers.” – A child fostered with Five Rivers.

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Why do Children Enter Care?

Children are only removed from their homes if it is unsafe to stay or if something serious has happened, which means they can’t be looked after by their birth family.

There are many reasons a child might enter care; they may have suffered abandonment, parental illness or death, neglect or abuse.

Often children have experienced a great deal of trauma, and need a patient, understanding Carer to help them to process their trauma and recover.

Why Foster?

The main reason people choose to foster is because they believe they can offer support to vulnerable children. Our Carers truly believe that they can turn lives around – and we support them every step of the way.

Other reasons people foster are as follows:

To make the most of the lifestyle

Working from home, it is possible to combine fostering with looking after your own children, or to combine fostering and other work, depending on the needs of the children in your care.

To help families stay together

Our Foster Carers support families in crisis who may need help for a time. In doing so, they help biological families stay together in the long-term.

To help ease the national shortage of Foster Carers

According to the Fostering Network, in the UK, one child comes into care every 15 minutes and could need a foster family. Unfortunately, we are facing a national crisis in the care sector, as the number of Foster Carers in England has sunk to a 10-year low.

To earn whilst doing something they love

We know that our Foster Carers’ main motivation to foster isn’t financial; however, for many of our Carers, fostering is their sole source of income. At Five Rivers, we offer competitive pay and paid time off.

To make a real difference through a profoundly rewarding role

Our Foster Carers provide children with the opportunity for a brighter, happier future—what could be more rewarding than that?

Why Foster with Five Rivers

Foster Carer Benefits

As a Five Rivers Foster Carer, you’ll receive a full package of practical, financial and professional support, including:

Competitive fees.
Paid respite.
Bespoke training.
24/7 support from our local fostering teams.
Access to Foster Carer support networks.
Opportunities to develop new skills and specialisms.
Options to accept short-term or long-term placements.

Fostering Pay & Allowances

Can I foster?

There are some basic criteria you’ll need to meet to be considered as a Foster Carer with Five Rivers Child Care. You will need to:

Be passionate about making a difference for a child or young person.
Be over the age of 21.
Have a furnished spare room that is not used by anybody else.
Be committed to undergo training and development.
Be able to work in partnership with the team involved in caring for the child/young person.

Fostering Application Process

Types of Fostering

There are many different types of fostering. Children may stay with Foster Carers for just a few weeks or for several years. Regardless of the duration, a Foster Carer’s impact can last a lifetime.

You may have an idea of what type of fostering will work best for you. If you’re not sure, don’t worry; we provide lots of opportunities to learn about the different types of fostering and will help you decide which is right for you.

Types of Fostering

What our Foster Carers say

“Fostering has brought a love into our lives that we never knew we were missing… Every smile, every milestone, and every moment of trust built has shown us that family isn’t just about biology; it’s about love, commitment, and the willingness to open your heart to a child who needs it.” – Vicki and Andy, Stockton on Tees

Give us a Call to Find Out More

We understand that considering whether to foster can seem like a big decision. Register your interest with our Carer Enquiry Team for a no-obligation chat to find out whether fostering could be right for you.

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