You don't need to have it all figured out
Thinking About Fostering? Let's Find Out if It's Right for You
Find out where you stand in 30 seconds. It's a short, honest check-in: not an application or test.
Where Are You in Your Thinking?
Tell us roughly where you're starting from, and we'll point you to what's most useful first.
Foster Care Requirements
More people are eligible than you'd think. Here's what actually matters, and what doesn't.
"I work full time"
Many of our foster parents work. Some fostering types fit around a job; others suit someone at home. We help you find what fits.
"Money worries me"
You'll receive a weekly allowance and a fee for each child, enough that many foster parents foster as their main role.
"I only have one spare room"
One spare bedroom is usually all you need. It's about a safe, stable space, not the size of your home.
"I have my own family"
Your family can be a real strength. We work with the whole household, children included.
You can foster whether you're single, married, in a civil partnership, renting or own your home, working full-time, or retired. What matters most is having a spare bedroom, time and patience, as well as a stable, safe home life.
- "You need to own your home." Renting is fine.
- "You need to be married." Single foster parents foster successfully every day.
- "You need previous childcare experience." Training covers this.
- "You can't foster if you already have children." Many foster parents do.
- A spare bedroom for the child or young person
- To be over 21
- Permanent leave to remain in the UK
- A settled, stable home environment
Usually uncertainty, not ineligibility: worrying about finances, how it affects existing family life, or feeling underqualified. A small number of things genuinely do rule fostering out, most commonly no spare bedroom, being under 21, or certain past convictions involving harm to children. Everything else is worth a conversation before you assume it counts you out.
A Day in the Life of a Foster Parent
Not highlight reels. Real routines: what everyday life in a fostering household actually looks like.
07:00
School Run Rush
Breakfast, uniforms, the usual scramble. Much like any other home on a school morning.
09:00
Check-In Call
A quick call with your supervising social worker if something needs talking through.
15:30
Pick-Up & Homework
Collecting from school, then homework at the kitchen table.
17:30
Dinner & Downtime
Family meal, some quiet time, maybe a contact call with the birth family.
20:00
Bedtime Routine
Consistent routines matter; many children find them reassuring.
Challenges
Some days are harder than others. Behaviour can be testing, contact arrangements can be emotional, and there's a learning curve. This is why we build our support around our foster parents.
Rewards
Our foster parents often say it's the small everyday moments, like a child settling in and starting to trust, that mean more than they expected going in.
In their own words
Foster Parents Like You
In their words
What This Means to Children
The practical side matters, but this is the reason it's worth doing at all.
“She is kind. She makes me food. She plays with me. She likes to cook and I like to cook with her.”
Asked to describe her foster carer, she said she is “kind, kind, kind.”
L, on her foster carer SK
“I love having you as my foster carer. You're the best foster carer in the world, you should have your name in the paper as you're also the best mummy and nana.”
JR, on their foster carer KMSupport & Financial Allowance
What's actually behind you: day to day and in an emergency.
Financial Support
A weekly allowance covering the cost of caring for a child, paid regardless of your other income.
Training
Training to prepare you before your first placement, plus ongoing professional development.
24/7 Support Line
A real person to call at any hour, for advice or in case of emergency.
Therapeutic Support
Specialist therapeutic support for children who need it, plus invaluable guidance for foster parents along the way.
Your Own Social Worker
Your first call, not a call centre: a local supervising social worker who understands your family.
Community
Regular meet-ups with local foster parents who are on the journey with you and cheering you on.
What You Could Receive
There's no single fixed amount. Your weekly allowance reflects the child's individual needs, your experience and the type of fostering you provide. It includes money to cover the cost of caring for the child, alongside a fee that reflects the role you take on.
£430–£800
per child, per week
These rates sit well above the national minimum, and that's before everything else that comes with fostering with Compass. Your exact allowance will be confirmed by your advisor.
✓Nationally recognised training and qualifications
✓Reward schemes and benefits
✓Paid respite breaks
✓24/7 support, always included
From Enquiry to Approval, Step by Step
So you always know roughly where you are, and what comes next.
1
Eligibility Quiz
A 30-second check-in to see where you stand.
You are here2
Conversation
An informal chat with a fostering advisor.
3
Home Visit
A relaxed visit to talk through your home and household, often done virtually.
4
Assessment
A thorough, supportive assessment with your social worker.
5
Training
A preparation programme to help you feel ready before your first placement.
6
Approval
An independent panel decision confirming you're ready to welcome a child.
7
Matching
A thoughtful matching process to find the best possible match for your family.
Why choose us
Who Are Compass Fostering?
Ready to Find Out if Fostering Could Be Right for You?
Just 30 seconds. No obligation, and guidance built around your circumstances.
Speak to Our Team
Fill in a few details and a fostering advisor will get back to you. Ask whatever's on your mind, with no pressure to make a decision now.
Step 1