Find out about fostering with Nottingham City Children's Services

Nottingham City Council's Children's Services have children of all ages and abilities and of different cultural ethnic backgrounds needing Foster Homes. At the moment there are over 400 children in care and we can be looking for around 40 new placements only a regular basis.  We urgently need new carers, especially those interested in offering long term placements to teenagers, and those able to offer a home to sibling groups.

Many of the children in our care will have been abused physically, sexually or emotionally.  Their parents may have had difficulties themselves and may oppose their children needing to be fostered.  We work together with parents and if at all possible we try to rehabilitate the children back home with them.  Whilst the children are in foster homes they will have regular contact with their birth family members, some will have brothers and sisters, and where possible we try to place the children together.  Older children having experienced family disruption may have behavioural or emotional difficulties.  Some children may have learning problems or be developmentally delayed.  

Presently 25% of our children are of dual heritage and need to be culturally appropriately placed with black carers or carers who are able to meet their cultural needs.  Black and mixed parentage families are needed to provide foster homes for black children and children of dual heritage.There is no one type of person who makes a good foster carer. Foster carers can be single, living with a partner, or married. They may have their own children, step children, adopted children or not have any children. They may come from all ethnic, religious, language and cultural backgrounds. Foster carers may be working or unemployed. They certainly don't need to be well off financially, and can rent or own their own home. Some may have a disability, or had a serious illness, but all are normally expected to be in reasonable health and over 21.

For families, fostering is very much a shared experience. It is important that all members of the household are happy and willing to provide a stable, tolerant and understanding home.

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