What is Fostering?

Sometimes children and young people need to be cared for by the council for a period – or periods - of time in their lives. The care of such young people is usually best met through them living with an alternative family on a short or long term basis. 

Who are we looking for?  

To meet this need, the Fostering service recruits people from various backgrounds and experiences who wish to make a contribution to the lives of children and young people. 

We are looking for people from different races, cultures and religions - single people, couples that are unmarried, married or in a civil partnership, homeowners or people living in rented accommodation. 

We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability or sexual orientation.

We are looking for foster carers that have backgrounds that can best meet the needs of individual children. 

How do I become a foster carer?  

If you are interested in becoming a Foster Carer then please contact us on 0151 606 2400 or email fostering@wirral.gov.uk  

Background and health checks are undertaken to determine the suitability of individuals or couples to foster. Applicants are provided with training to raise their awareness of the issues involved with fostering. The fostering service, in partnership with the applicant, undertakes an assessment of the applicant’s ability to provide care. This application is considered by Wirral’s Fostering Panel which approves foster carers.  

What type of fostering can I provide?  

Foster carers may be approved for a specific age range or for children with particular needs. Placements with foster carers may last until the child becomes an adult, may be for a few weeks or planned weekend breaks.  

What support would I receive?  

We pay all foster carers an allowance based on the age and needs of the child(ren) they are looking after and an additional fee dependant on skills and experience.

We provide ongoing support to foster carers through an allocated foster care supervising social worker and to the young person placed through an allocated social worker.  

Specialist support is also available for the young person’s educational, leisure and health needs. Foster carers have access to ongoing training and developmental opportunities to ensure that they have the knowledge, skills and experience to meet the needs of young people placed with them.  

If you are fostering a child or young person through a private arrangement you must register with the local authority – Private Fostering.

This is what one of our carers had to say;

"I used to wonder what was the point of me fostering, because very little of what I said or did seemed to have any impact or effect on the teenagers in our care.

"But then as the years go on, and we have been contacted by some of the young people who have moved on. The fact that they have contacted us and told us what they are doing and also a few of them even apologised for their behaviour while they were with us.

"I think this just goes to show that we had made a positive impression on their lives, even though, at that time, we couldn't see it and they didn't know how to react appropriately. It just makes it seem more worthwhile"