Fostering
We are currently recruiting foster carers who want to make a difference to a child's life.
We are looking for carers who can offer care for:
- teenagers
- infants
- children with a disability
- young people remanded to Lambeth by the courts
- children who need a break (respite care).
Children and young people need the benefit of an ordinary life, until it's time for them to return home, move to a new permanent family or move to independent living.
We are looking for foster carers from diverse backgrounds, races, religions, languages, ethnicities, sexualities and genders, to reflect the diversity of the children who need care. You do not have to be married, own your home or have children.
The important things are a real commitment and a willingness to learn about and understand the needs of children and young people. You should possess the energy to provide high quality care, flexibility and stability.
Fostering can be complex, challenging and demanding. The Lambeth fostering team, along with various social workers and other professionals will provide an excellent induction, ongoing training and your own supervising social worker to support you.
You will receive a weekly tax free allowance set out below, to help you care for each child placed with you.
- Aged 0-12 - £354.96 per week
- Aged 13-17 - £390.57 per week
- Children within the disability service or remanded to Lambeth's care - £601.53 per week.
When you are considering becoming a foster carer, you will have lots of questions about what the role entails. Here, Lambeth foster carers share their thoughts and experiences about the challenges and rewards.
When you are considering becoming a foster carer, you will have lots of questions about what the role entails. Here, Lambeth social worker Shabina discusses topics including who is allowed to foster, how you are assessed and supported, and why you should join our team.
Contact us
To begin a discussion with us about fostering, call 020 7926 8710 or submit an enquiry form.
You can submit an enquiry online by completing our initial enquiry online form, or in writing using the initial enquiry form (printable).
For an informal discussion about fostering and adoption, come along to our monthly drop-in sessions at Lambeth Town Hall.
On this page you can find information about the assessment process for fostering.
On this page you can find information about the aims of the fostering service at Lambeth.
On this page you will find information about the main precluding factors to fostering. These are factors that may result in an unsuccessful application to become a foster carer.
On this page you will find information about the qualities we look for in prospective foster carers.
On this page you can find information about the support we can offer you when become a foster carer.
There are a range of tasks and responsibilities that are part of the fostering role.
Children and young people are fostered for many reasons, and because of this Lambeth offers a variety of services to meet these needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Questions and answers on the FAQ page.