Become a Foster Carer with Five Rivers

Join our community of Foster Carers

We’re here every step of the way, offering guidance, training, and a network that truly understands the journey.

Here are some of the many reasons to join our team and help give children in care the fulfilling childhoods they deserve…

Professional Fee

As a social enterprise and independent provider, we offer a highly competitive fostering allowance of up to £28,000 per child. For almost all Foster Carers, this will be tax free.

Round the Clock Support

Day or night, we’re here to help you – not something Local Authorities or other agencies always offer. With our 24-hour helpline, highly qualified staff are always on hand.

Specialist Training

We provide a free, comprehensive training package to all our Foster Carers. Starting with the Skills to Foster course, our training is local and accessible. We also offer e-learning.

Activities and Support

Our carers benefit from membership to local support groups, allowing them to meet other Foster Carers and share experiences. We also offer activity days where foster families can have fun together.

Chat with our friendly team

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.

Support that's local to you

We know how important relationships are, that’s why have over 20 teams based in offices around the country, this means:

Less travel and more face to face time with your supportive local team.
Opportunities to join local events near you.
The chance to form close relationships with other local Foster Carers.

See what people say about fostering with us

“I wish more people understood what a special experience fostering children is. It is such an important job, helping guide the children that are all too often forgotten about, into being the happy, healthy adults they were always destined to be.”

woman and man holding a cat and dog, outdoors with large garden behind them

Tracy and Paul

Read their story

“After seeing the help they had and how they were looked after so well in foster care, we felt that once we were in a position to do so, we wanted to be able to do the same for other children and youngsters who need it.”

Antony and Richard

Read their story

Want to know more? Start the conversation

If you’re curious about fostering or have questions, our friendly Carer Enquiries team, Sara, Katie and Julia are here to chat through the process and answer your questions.