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Fostering

 
parent and childMany different people decide to become foster parents.

Fostering is a way of caring for someone else's child in your home.

It is one of the ways that you can help to care for children who are unable to live in their own homes.

Greenwich aims to offer the best choice for children in care by keeping them in the borough close to family, friends and school.

Within this section, you will find information to help you decide whether fostering is an option for you.

Why are children fostered?

There are many reasons why a child may need to be fostered, which could include:

    • death or ill health of parent(s)
    • divorce
    • child abuse or neglect
    • financial problems
    • parents are unable to cope for whatever reason
    • children are waiting for an adoptive family.
All children who are fostered are looked after by the local authority in their area. This is often called 'being in care.'

What sort of children need fostering?

Every sort! Greenwich children reflect the wide cultural and ethnic mix of the Borough.

Children range from newborn babies through to teenagers and sibling groups.

Every care is taken to ensure that carers and children are well matched according to nationality, ethnicity, sociology and the particular strengths of the carers and the needs of the child.

Further information

For more information about fostering in Greenwich, please contact our fostering team using the contact information in the right hand menu.

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering website, in the useful links menu to right, will give you more information about rights, legislation and policies for adoption and fostering.

The Fostering Information Line website, also in the useful links, provides information on fostering in the UK and the Fostering Network is the leading charity for foster care in the UK.

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