Recruit, Retain, Reflect · with Fostering South West
Right now, a child in the South West is waiting for a family who understands who they are.
Could that be you? Whatever your age, background or circumstances, there is a way for you to help: as a foster carer, a cultural mentor or a fostering ambassador. We especially want to hear from Black and global majority communities, who are under-represented among foster carers.
BFCA Lifeline: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Out of hours? Use our online chat or register online and we will call you back.
Next Generation Carers
“We grew up in fostering. Now we carry on that legacy.”
Jada and Nathan · foster carers for 5 years, 7 children
Next Generation Carers is for people aged 25 and over who have never pictured themselves as foster carers, or think it is something for later. Real stories, community conversations and honest answers show that fostering could fit your life now.
Everyone is welcome. This campaign is one part of our work, not a limit. You can foster from 21 and there is no upper age limit.
In partnership with 15 South West local authorities
Three ways to help
Every child deserves to grow up knowing where they come from.
Not everyone can foster, but everyone can help a child feel they belong. Choose the way that fits your life.
Become a foster carer
Open your home to a child who needs safety, love and someone who understands their culture. You can rent, work, be single or in a couple.
Register your interest →Become a cultural mentor
Walk alongside a foster family caring for a child from your background. Share hair and skin care, food, faith, language and pride in who they are. A few hours a month, fully trained.
Register as a cultural mentor →Be a supporter or ambassador
Share the message in your church, mosque, workplace or community group. Invite us to speak. Ambassadors help us reach the right family for a child.
Register as an ambassador →You do not have to fit a stereotype to foster.
“I rent.”
You do not need to own your home. Your fostering service looks at stability and suitable space for a child.
“I work full time.”
Work does not rule you out. It depends on the type of fostering and on a child’s needs.
“I am single.”
Single people foster. What matters is safe, stable care and the support around you.
“I am not the typical foster carer.”
There is no single profile. The first step is a conversation, not an application.
Free online information session
Could you foster? Come and find out, from home.
A relaxed hour with carers and the team, straight after our Village Connects carer group. Bring your questions. Cameras can stay off and there is no commitment.
Monthly on Microsoft Teams · 12pm to 1pm
- Wednesday 11 November 2026
- Wednesday 9 December 2026
- Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Wednesday 3 February 2027
- Wednesday 3 March 2027
Register your interest in fostering
One minute, no commitment. We will call you at a time that suits you.
Register your interest in fosteringWant to help in another way?
On your phone? Scan to register in under a minute, or call 0800 001 6230.
Recruit new carers. Support the families we have. Change what needs changing.
RECRUIT
Reach people where trust already exists.
Next Generation Carers, Voice of the Alliance magazine, faith groups, Black-owned businesses and community conversations.
RETAIN
Nobody should foster alone.
Matched cultural mentors, support with racism and identity, and the BFCA Lifeline between sessions.
REFLECT
Make culturally aware practice visible.
Identity-aware matching, training for the people around a child, and the Cultural Compass Mark.
Start with a conversation. Decide your next step from there.
- Get in touch: a first conversation, no commitment.
- Warm handover: we introduce you to your council’s team.
- Home visit: talk through your household.
- Assessment: training, checks and a full assessment.
- Panel and approval: an independent recommendation.
- Matched and supported: cultural mentoring and BFCA support.
An honest note about time: the regional average from enquiry to approval is around 230 days. We are working to cut avoidable delays and to be straight with you about what to expect.
Questions people often start with
Am I too young to foster?
You can foster from 21 in England. Many carers start in their twenties and thirties, like Jada and Nathan, who grew up in fostering. What matters is maturity, stability and the support around you.
Am I too old to foster?
There is no upper age limit. What matters is your health, energy and the support around you. Older carers bring life experience, patience and wisdom that children value.
What does a cultural mentor or fostering ambassador do?
Cultural mentors support foster families caring for a child from their background, a few hours a month, with training and a DBS check. Ambassadors share the message in their church, mosque, workplace or community. Register on this page and we will be in touch.
Can I foster if I rent my home?
Yes. You do not need to own your home. What matters is stability and, in most cases, suitable bedroom space for a child.
Can I foster if I am single?
Yes. Single people and couples both foster. Assessment focuses on your capacity to provide safe, stable care and on the support around you.
I work full time. Is that a problem?
Not automatically. It depends on the type of fostering and on the child’s needs, and your fostering team will explore this with you.
What happens if I call the BFCA Lifeline?
You can ask questions without committing to anything. If you decide you want to explore fostering further, we can arrange a warm introduction to the fostering team in your local authority.
What if I get in touch outside opening hours?
Use the online chat on this page, register your interest online or leave a message on 0800 001 6230. A Lifeline coach will call you back on the next working day.
Is support only for Black and Global Majority carers?
The recruitment work focuses on communities under-represented among approved foster carers. Cultural mentoring and identity support can help any family caring for a child with cultural, identity or belonging needs, including transracial placements.
For fostering services and professionals
Specialist cultural support alongside your statutory responsibilities.
Your local authority keeps assessment, approval, panel, placement and safeguarding decisions. BFCA delivers community recruitment, the Lifeline, cultural mentoring, training and the Cultural Compass Mark. To refer a foster family, email hello@blackfostercarersalliance.co.uk or call 0800 001 6230.
Could fostering be part of your next chapter?
You do not need all the answers. Ask the questions you have now, and decide what to do next.
In partnership with
Fostering South West is the regional fostering hub for local council foster care across the South West, a partnership of 15 councils working together to welcome more people into fostering and improve support for carers and children.
Fostering South West
Phone: 0300 456 0120
Email: info@fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk
Website: fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk
The 15 councils in the partnership
- Bath and North East Somerset
- BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- Isles of Scilly
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Torbay
- Wiltshire
Black Foster Carers Alliance works alongside Fostering South West to reach Black and global majority communities, offer culturally informed guidance and cultural mentoring, and make a warm introduction to your local council’s fostering team. Your council carries out the assessment and approval.