Next Generation Carers · Aged 21 to 45
Fostering isn’t something for later. It could fit your life now.
You’re building a career, renting, maybe raising your own children, and you’ve never pictured yourself as a foster carer. That’s exactly who children in the South West need.
BFCA Lifeline: 11am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm. Out of hours? Use our online chat or register online and we will call you back.
The film
Ready As You Are
“We grew up in fostering. Now we carry on that legacy.”
Jada and Nathan · foster carers for 5 years, 7 children
They started young. Now they’re raising children who need what they had: people who understood them. Watch real carers talk about starting younger, and why they didn’t wait.
Free zine · Made for 21 to 45-year-olds
Ready As You Are: your foster carer starter kit
Nobody has adulting figured out. Our zine gives you the straight answers in ten quick pages.
- A quick quiz: are you ready enough?
- Myth vs me: renting, working, being single
- The route to approval, step by step
- Money explained
- Jada and Nathan’s story
- Your support squad and first-week essentials
Read it on your phone, or share it with a friend who’d be amazing at this.
“But I’m not ready yet…”
“I rent.”
You don’t need to own your home. What matters is stability and suitable space for a child.
“I’m building my career.”
Work doesn’t rule you out. Different types of fostering fit different lives.
“I’m single.”
Single people foster. What matters is safe, stable care and the people around you.
“I have young children.”
Many carers foster alongside their own family. Your fostering team will talk through what works.
“I wouldn’t know what to do.”
You get full training, a supervising social worker, and a BFCA cultural mentor if you’d like one.
Ways in
Ways in that fit your life
Short breaks and respite
Weekends or holidays, supporting another foster family. What’s on offer varies by council.
Ask about short breaks →Cultural mentor
Not ready to foster? Give a few hours a month to a child from your background. Fully trained.
Register as a cultural mentor →Free online information session
Ask your questions. Cameras off, no commitment.
A relaxed hour with carers and the team. Bring whatever you’re wondering about.
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
Your next chapter could start with one conversation.
One minute, no commitment. We will call you at a time that suits you.
Register your interestOn your phone? Scan to register in under a minute, or call 0800 001 6230.
BFCA Lifeline: 11am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm, plus online chat.
Your questions
Am I too young at 21?
No. 21 is the minimum age to foster in England. Maturity and stability matter more than age.
What if I’m over 45?
You’re welcome too. There’s no upper age limit, and this campaign is just one part of our work. See all the ways to help →
Will fostering affect my job?
It depends on the type of fostering. Your council’s fostering team will talk it through honestly.
Do I get paid?
Foster carers receive an allowance to cover a child’s costs, and many councils pay a fee on top. Your council will explain its rates.
In partnership with
Funded by
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.