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Independent fostering agency UK

Independent fostering agency offering 24/7 support, full training and generous allowances to foster parents across the UK. Join our fostering family today!

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Offices

Fostering Agency Beverley

This office covers the East Ridings of Yorkshire, including Hull, Driffield, Stamford Bridge, and surrounding areas.

Fostering Agency Milton Keynes

This office covers Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire.

Fostering Agency Leeds

This office covers North Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax, Wakefield, York, and surrounding areas.

Fostering Agency Doncaster

This office covers South Yorkshire, including Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, and more.

Fostering Agency Warrington

This office covers much of the North West, including Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire, Preston, and more.

Fostering Agency Burgess Hill

This office covers the South of England, including Sussex, Berkshire, Surrey, and Kent.

Fostering Agency Stoke-On-Trent

This office covers Staffordshire, Cheshire, and parts of Derbyshire, including Stafford, Northwich, Shrewsbury, Nottingham, Wallsall, and more.

Fostering Agency Chislehurst

This office covers South and East London and Essex, including Croydon, Bromley, Harlow, Romford, Chelmsford, Colchester, and more.

Milton Keynes

Bromsgrove

Enquiry

If you're interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, get in touch today and we'll talk you through the applications process, the role of fostering and our generous payments and benefits.

Find a fostering agency near you

Fostering in Bolton

Fostering in Hull

Fostering in Chesterfield

Barnsley

Fostering in Portsmouth

Fostering in Birmingham

Fostering in Aylesbury

Fostering in Stafford

Fostering in Bromley

Fostering in Cheshire

Fostering in Ellesmere Port

Fostering in Liverpool

Fostering in Macclesfield

Fostering in Manchester

Fostering in Northwich

Fostering in Preston

Fostering in Rochdale

Fostering in Stockport

Fostering in St Helens

Fostering in Warrington

Fostering in Wigan

Thinking about fostering in Wigan? We’re an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ foster care agency training and supporting foster parents across the region. Find out more!

Fostering in Yorkshire

Fostering in the East Riding of Yorkshire

Fostering in Beverley

Fostering in Rotherham

Fostering in Scunthorpe

Fostering in Sheffield

Fostering in Bradford

Fostering in Huddersfield

Fostering in Harrogate

Fostering in Leeds

Fostering in Wakefield

Fostering in Halifax

Fostering in West Yorkshire

Fostering in Walsall

Fostering in Worcestershire

Fostering in Sandwell

Fostering in Stevenage

Fostering in Dudley

Fostering in West Bromwich

Fostering in Bedford

Fostering in Corby

Fostering in High Wycombe

Fostering in Kettering

Northampton

Fostering in Peterborough

Fostering in St Albans

Fostering in Watford

Fostering in Southampton

Fostering in London

Fostering in South London

Fostering in Braintree

Fostering in Brighton & Hove

Fostering in Surrey

Reading

Thinking about fostering in Reading? We’re an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ fostering agency making a life-changing difference to children in care. Join our team!

Fostering in Maidstone

Fostering in Ashford

Fostering in Worthing

Fostering in Crawley

Fostering in Basingstoke

Fostering in Dover

Fostering in Gillingham

Fostering in Winchester

Fostering in Woking

Fostering in Brentwood

Fostering in Clacton on Sea

Fostering in Newbury

Fostering in Horsham

Fostering in Greenwich

Fostering in Guildford

Fostering in Farnborough

Fostering in Colchester

Fostering in Derby

Fostering in Tamworth

Fostering in Stoke-on-Trent

Fostering in Chelmsford

Fostering in Uttoxeter

Fostering in Romford

Fostering in Leek

Fostering in Crewe

Fostering in Essex

Fostering in Lewisham

Fostering in Croydon

Fostering in Leicester

Fostering in Redditch

Fostering in Solihull

Fostering in Wolverhampton

Fostering in Stourbridge

Fostering in Kidderminster

Fostering in Sutton Coldfield

Fostering in Loughborough

What is foster care?

Foster care gives children a safe, loving family environment when they're unable to stay at home. Learn more about foster care and the role of a foster parent.

FAQ

Want to know more about fostering? Find out the answers to some of the most common asked questions.

Types of fostering

There are many different types of foster care placements to meet the needs of children, including long and short term, respite, parent and child & more.

Short Term Fostering

Short term fostering can range from a single night to 2 years, depending on the needs of the child and family. Find out more about short term foster care.

Long Term Fostering

Long-term fostering provides children with the stability of a single foster family right through to adulthood. Learn about the role, allowances and more.

Respite fostering

Respite fostering is very short term care to provide a break to full time foster parents or birth family. Learn more about the role, allowances and more.

Emergency fostering

Parent & child fostering

Become a foster parent for a young person and their baby, helping to support them in their role as a new parent. Learn about the role, allowances and more.

Sibling Fostering

Fostering siblings is an important role that enables brothers and sisters to stay together in care. Learn about the role, allowances and more.

Fostering children with disabilities

Fostering a child with disabilities can be extremely rewarding. At Orange Grove, we provide the highest level of training and support to help you in your role as a foster parent. Learn about the role, allowances and more.

Fostering asylum-seeking children

With the rising number of refugees, there are an increasing number of children arriving in the UK in urgent need of foster care. As a foster parent, your role is to provide a safe and loving home, helping a vulnerable child living in a new country and starting the next stage of their life. Learn about the role, allowances and more.

Fostering teenagers

Being a foster parent for teenagers is often more rewarding and easier than you may initially think - and can play a crucial role in turning a young person's life around. Learn about the role, allowances and more.

How to become a foster parent

Find out how to become a foster parent including the assessment, training, and support processes required with Orange Grove Foster Care.

Initial call

Home visit

Application

Fostering Application Guidance

Fostering Assessment

A useful guide to the fostering assessment process (also known as 'Form F'), including how long it takes, background checks and references and more.

Background checks

A variety of foster parent background checks and references are completed during the assessment, including a DBS, medical, personal references and more.

Panel

Your first foster child

Fostering requirements UK

Almost anyone can apply to become a foster parent and we welcome individuals from all walks of life. Learn about the minimum fostering requirements in the UK.

LGBT fostering

We have many same-sex foster parents who are doing extraordinary things for children, as well as singletons too. Learn more about LGBT Fostering today!

How old do you have to be to foster?

Disability in fostering

It's absolutely possible to foster if you have a disability, so long as you're able to meet the needs of a child in care. Find out more today!

Single foster parents

Previous experience

Spare room

Can I work & foster?

Mental health in fostering

Children in foster care

Sadly, 63% of these children are in care due to a history of abuse and neglect. It’s good to understand the various reasons why children come into care and how this may affect them.

Benefits of fostering

There are many reasons to consider a rewarding career in fostering, including making a huge difference. Find out the many benefits of fostering today!

About us

We have over 20 years' experience in providing children in care with stable, loving homes and are rated 'Outstanding' & 'Good' by Ofsted. Discover more about us!

Why choose us?

We have over 20 years' experience and our team includes highly experienced & qualified professionals focused on helping you on your fostering journey.

Support

We're here to support you throughout your fostering career. As part of that, you'll have a dedicated social worker and access to a family support worker, ongoing training, 24/7 helpline and more.

Supporting children in care

Our priority is always on children and young people – on meeting their needs, keeping them happy and safe. Discover how we support children in foster care.

Training

You'll receive a comprehensive induction programme to get you set up in your role, plus ongoing training tailored to your individual needs. Discover our foster care training.

Statement of purpose

Fostering allowance

Fostering is a professional role and foster parents are paid for their hard work and dedication. Learn about our generous fostering allowances and benefits!

Foster care allowance calculator

Try our foster care allowance calculator today and discover how much you could receive from fostering. Find out today!

Foster carers tax allowance

HMRC have a specialist tax rule that generally makes income from fostering completely tax-free. Learn about the foster carers tax allowance today!

Claiming benefits

Fostering won't affect your means-tested benefits as the fostering allowance isn't counted as income when calculating your eligibility. Find out more today!

National Insurance for Foster Carers

Depending on your personal circumstance, you may not have to pay National Insurance. Learn about National Insurance for foster carers today!

Resources

News and blogs

What is fostering like for the sons and daughters of foster carers?

We asked our sons and daughters what fostering is like for them - discover their poems and drawings about fostering.

Foster Care Fortnight: Foster Care Transforms Lives

Being a foster carer is a career like no other and makes such a difference to the lives of many children.

National Siblings Day 2018

Today, we are proudly supporting National Siblings Day – a day to mark and honour the lifelong bonds between brothers and sisters.

Fostering When You Have a Child – Why You Should Consider it!

Fostering when you have a child of your own living at home can be an enriching and rewarding experience that your whole family benefits from.

Foster Care at Christmas: 10 Ways to Make a Foster Child Feel Special at Christmas

As the festive season approaches, our foster carers share their tips on how to make a foster child feel special and part of the family at Christmas.

How You Can Help Your Child Deal with Frustration and Anger

Many of the children and young people coming into care suffer from severe emotional delays, often due to their past experience of neglect and abuse.

How to Support Your Own Children When Fostering

Our foster carers share some invaluable advice on how to support your own children when you're new to fostering.

What To Do the First Day with a Foster Child

Our foster carers share their thoughts on the most important things you should do on the first day with a foster child to help them settle.

How to Prepare for Your First Foster Child

Read some advice from our foster carers on how to prepare for the arrival of your first foster child.

How important is it for foster children to stay in one place?

It's hugely important that children in care experience a stable family home environment that remains consistent in their often turbulent early lives.

Long term versus short term fostering: will this affect my family?

In this blog post, we explain the differences between long term and short term fostering and how each may affect your family.

How To Encourage Learning Over Christmas

Christmas can provide many opportunities for our children and young people to practice the skills they have been learning at school.

Can I Get a Mortgage if I’m a Foster Carer?

Many foster carers wonder whether they can use their foster income for a mortgage. Foster carers should have no problem getting on the property ladder.

Can I Foster While Renting?

We’ve put together some information about mortgages for foster carers if you are a renter wanting to buy your first property. 

Tips to Make Your Foster Child’s Birthday Special

Having a foster child is a fantastic experience. So, how do you make your foster child’s birthday special? Read on for some tips. 

Fostering with pets

As part of National Pet Month 2022, a Yorkshire based foster child has spoken out about the benefits their furry friend brings to their life.

Five Fostering Myths Debunked

We're on a myth-busting mission to dispel some of the commonly held myths surrounding fostering in a bid to encourage more people to consider fostering.

Celebrating Sons and Daughters in Fostering

A fun-filled time was had by all at our Fostering Weekend as we took to the forest to celebrate our wonderful fostering sons and daughters.

Preparing Young People For The World Of Work

Our London and Essex team recently held a CV Writing and Interview Skills Workshop to support young people with applying for jobs and apprenticeships.

Foster Care Fortnight Celebration

As part of the Fostering Network’s national Foster Care Fortnight campaign, our team at Three Shires attended a special celebration lunch in Milton Keynes.

A Celebration for Foster Carers’ Children

We recently held our annual celebration of our wonderful birth children – our way of saying thank you to them for opening their hearts and homes to our foster children.

Summer Kitchen Project Launch

We’re encouraging children to grow and cook with their own fruit and vegetables with our Summer Kitchen Project.

Poetry Competition Winner

As National Poetry Day began to approach we launched a poetry competition for all of our foster children and birth children to take part in.

Southern Counties Charity Abseil

A team of daredevil staff and young people from our Southern Counties team took part in a charity abseil recently at Blackland Farm in East Grinstead.

Food Bank Appeal Success

We've been busy gathering food donations over the festive period to donate to food banks up and down the country, including the Trussell Trust.

Southern Counties Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted

We’re proud to announce that our Southern Counties team have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ following an official inspection from Ofsted.

North West Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted

Our North West office is celebrating after receiving a second consecutive 'Outstanding' Ofsted report since 2015.

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Fostering at Brighton Pride

Our Southern Counties team attended Brighton Pride to encourage others within the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering.

Team MK Take On 12-Hour Cyclathon for Children In Need

Our Milton Keynes team took on the impressive challenge of a 12-hour cyclathon and raised more than £560 for Children in Need.

Orange Grove Yorkshire Office ‘Outstanding’ for Two Consecutive Ofsted Inspections

Our Yorkshire team is celebrating after receiving its second consecutive Outstanding Ofsted report since 2016.

Fostering Assessments during social distancing

We're still recruiting foster parents during these challenging times and are now undertaking virtual fostering assessments and training.

Southern Counties Charity Partnership with ASDAN

Our Southern Counties team announces charity partnership with the education charity, Award Scheme Development Accreditation Network (ASDAN) to improve the lives of children and young people in care.

Sons and Daughters Month 2021

As part of Sons and Daughters month, our Yorkshire team thanks the birth children of our foster parents for the important role they play within a fostering family.

Events

Events in the Midlands

17th June | Introduction to Fostering

7th July 2021 | Introduction to Fostering

4th August 2021 | Introduction to Fostering

1st September 2021 | Introduction to Fostering

Join us from the comfort of your own home to discover everything you need to know about a career in fostering.

1st December 2021 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

3rd November 2021 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

6th October | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

19th January 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

5th January 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

2nd February 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

2nd March 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

6th April 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

4th May 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

6th July 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

1st June 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

5th October 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

Beverley

24th September 21 | Fostering Coffee Morning | Bridlington

Come along to our Fostering Coffee Morning to meet our team and learn about this incredible career.

29th October 21 | Fostering Coffee Morning | Driffield

Come along to our Fostering Coffee Morning in Driffield to meet our team and learn about this incredible career.

Doncaster

Leeds

Warrington

Stoke-on-Trent

Bromsgrove

Milton Keynes

Chislehurst

Burgess Hill

Fostering Stories

“The lives of my own children have been so enriched by this whole experience”

Brigitte shares the positive influence fostering a group of four siblings has had on her own children and the great bond they share.

“It’s these small things that make you realise that everything you are doing as a family is completely worthwhile”

Kenya shares what’s it’s like being part of a family who fosters and having four more brothers and sisters.

“When a child allows you to hold their hand or give you a hug – you can’t beat it”

Teresa shares how her challenging teenage years have helped her to relate to the children she’s cared for.

“I knew that I had the time and energy to help young people on the right path in life”

Nat was inspired to start her fostering journey after working with children in a special needs school and seeing the extraordinary work of foster carers.

“Fostering has had a positive impact on our family life”

Fiona and her husband Jonathon share how they’ve been able to give children they’ve cared for, a better start in life.

“One young person I fostered is still in my life today and calls me ‘mum’

Dawn started her fostering career over 26 years ago, after many years babysitting and childminding.

“Fostering has had such a positive impact on my life”

Lynette has cared for 34 children in 7 and a half years. Today, she shares her experience as a foster parent.

“We love him like he’s one of our own”

Suso shares how he’s fostered over 40 children in 20 years, despite losing his wife nearly 10 years ago.

“If you're LGBTQ and interested in fostering, we can’t recommend it enough"

Same-sex couple, James and Simon, share their experience becoming foster parents and the support they've received from Orange Grove.

“We wanted to make a difference to children and young people in our home”

After fostering for just over a year, Chantelle and her partner Sophie already feel settled into their new role as foster carers.

“Fostering has given us a new purpose.”

Alan and Annemarie decided to embark on a journey into fostering after having been surrounded by children their whole lives

”Fostering changed our lives for the better!”

Jim and Jeanette have always wanted children of their own. Fostering gave them so much more than what they expected; it changed their lives forever.

“Being in care was the best thing that ever happened to me”

Zacc was first placed in foster care with Ruth and Suso over 15 years ago, when he was only four and a half years old, and has gone on to achieve some extraordinary things.

“I have everything I need with Jackie”

Olivia* was just 10 years old when she came to live with her foster parent, Jackie. Today, Olivia reflects on her emotional journey living in foster care.

“Never give up, you can make a difference”

Lindsey and Scott had always dreamed of becoming foster parents. However, it wasn't until the sad passing of Lindsey's mother that the couple decided to take their first step.

“I began to see an amazing change in him”

After some turbulent teenage years, Alison turned her life around and now uses her experience to help vulnerable young people as a foster parent.

“It’s important to think about fostering when you’re younger”

Alarna and Jermayne, 26-year-olds want to encourage other young people to start their fostering journey sooner rather than later.

Welcoming our first foster child into our home

Michelle and Andy have had their own child fly the nest already, and now at the age of 48 and 51, the couple share their journey of welcoming their new foster children into their home.

“He said to me that we were like his foster grandparents"

Respite foster carer, Karen, talks about how she and her husband became respite foster parents for Orange Grove.

"Fostering is so rewarding and so worthwhile"

After wanting to foster all their lives, Debra and Graham finally made it happen 3 years ago. Today, they share their fostering story so far...

“Our foster child has made us better people"

Despite never having children of their own, newly approved foster parents, Lynne and Ian, recently welcomed their first child into their home and are already making an extraordinary difference.

Modern Slavery Act

Read Orange Grove's modern slavery statement, policy and how the structure of the fostering agency operates.

Careers

Start a rewarding career in fostering, helping support foster children and their families. Discover more about our job vacancies and the benefits of working at Orange Grove.

Form F Assessors

Become a fostering Form F Assessor at Orange Grove. Find out more about the role and apply online today!

Young Person's Hub

We have put together this Young Person's Hub as an online resource for young people - to offer guidance and support, provide useful information, resources and important contact details.

Young Person's Guide & Resources

What is Foster Care?

Staying Safe Online

Bullying Advice

Life after Care

Young People's Feedback Forms

Foster Child Feedback - Young Person

Foster Child Feedback - Young Child

Feedback - Thank you

Birth Child Feedback - Young Child

Birth Child Feedback - Young Child

How to Make a Complaint

Contact Details

Fostering children

Refer-a-friend scheme

T&C's

Foster a child today

Fostering children (Download Brochure)

HTML sitemap

Ayeisha McFerran foster story - Be inspired to care

Olympic Hockey star Ayeisha McFerran opens up about her childhood in foster care and hopes that the support she has received throughout her life inspires others to get into fostering.

2nd November 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

How to Tell Your Spouse You Want to Foster

Fostering is a caring and wonderful pursuit. You need both spouses on board, though, so here’s how to tell your spouse you want to foster. 

Celebrating 15 Years of Fostering

Yorkshire foster parents, Maggie and Allen, have recently celebrated their 15-year fostering anniversary. Today, they share some of the highlights of their fostering career.

3rd August 2022 | Introduction to Fostering

Register for our free online fostering information event today and we'll send you details of how to join.

Fostering and Birth Children – FAQs and Advice

Fostering while you have birth children might concern you. Hopefully, the answers to these frequently asked questions will put your mind at ease.

Transfer Fostering Agency | Orange Grove