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Foster Care

Creating safe and loving spaces

For kids that need it the most

Transforming their life, and yours…

Are you passionate about providing a nurturing and stable environment for children or young people in need? Do you aspire to make a meaningful difference and help them achieve their full potential?

Becoming a foster carer is not only incredibly rewarding but also life-changing — and it doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment. We offer a variety of foster care options tailored to the amount of time you can dedicate, even if it’s just a few hours each month.

If you’re seriously considering foster caring, it’s important to think about how it will impact your life, lifestyle, family, and friends. It’s more than just meeting basic requirements — it’s about giving children in need a supportive and stable home.

Are you ready to make a profound impact on the life of a child or young person?

Meet foster carers Steven and Maxine and learn about their experience

Ready to take the plunge and make a world of difference to a child or young person in your care?

Ready to take the plunge and make a world of difference to a child or young person in your care?

Foster care qualities checklist - Do you have what it takes?

Thinking about becoming a foster carer? Check out our list of essential qualities and see how many you have.

Types of foster care

We offer a variety of foster care options, from full-time placements to short-term stays. Our flexible options are designed to integrate with your lifestyle and time commitments. Here’s how!

Emergency care

Emergency care provides immediate placement for children in urgent need of a safe home, ranging from overnight stays up to two weeks.

Respite care

Respite care offers children and young people short-term stays on week-ends, in school holidays or even just a few hours during the week, giving long-term carers a break, and providing new experiences as well as opportunities for children to form other significant relationships outside their usual environment.

Short-term care

Short-term care aims to offer these children a safe, supportive, and nurturing place to stay while their birth families receive the help they need or until a more permanent living arrangement can be made. This type of care ranges from two weeks up to two years.

Long-term care

When it is not expected that a child will return home to the birth family, the child may stay in care until they reach adulthood.

Specialist care

Specialist care supports children and young people with disabilities or higher and more complex needs, and offers additional training and support for foster carers.

Specific child only care

People who are willing to care for a child with whom they have a pre-existing relationship with. UCSA receives referrals from the Department for Child Protection. (These carers are not approved to provide General Foster Care).

Laura’s story

Hear from Laura, a dedicated foster carer who now has two children in her care.

Laura has made a difference…you can too!

Questions on your mind

As you contemplate becoming a foster carer, it’s natural to have numerous questions. We address some of the most frequently asked questions below to help guide you through this important decision-making process.

Ready to make a powerful impact on the life of a child or young person?

Matthew’s story

Foster care is incredibly rewarding, but can also be immensely challenging. In Matthew’s story, we hear about the real-world complexities of foster caring, and reflect on the qualities required by foster carers to be successful in their role.

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