Fostering and Adoption: Barnardo’s helps change children’s lives forever. Could you offer a loving home?

You could give a home to a vulnerable child when they need it most

Barnardo’s can give you all the tools and specialist support you need to help the children in your care reach their dreams.

The fostering and adoption charity works with a wonderfully diverse community of foster carers and adopters, and welcomes people from all walks of life.

It doesn’t matter what your religious or cultural background is, whether you're single, married, divorced, in a civil partnership, a homeowner or renting, Barnardo’s believes you can foster or adopt.

Ever thought about fostering or adoption?

What's most important is that you are caring, patient, understanding and can offer the children and young people in your care a positive and loving environment.

You don’t need special qualifications or childcare experience. Barnardo’s will provide on-going support and training programmes to develop your skills and knowledge.

To foster, all you need is to:

– be at least 21 years-old

– have a spare bedroom big enough for a child or young person to live in

– to be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain

– to be able to give the time to care for a child or young person

It’s also important that you can offer a smoke-free environment.

Once approved, you will become part of a network of foster carers who, alongside your dedicated social worker, will provide you with on-going support and advice.

Why choose Barnardo’s?

“At Barnardo’s we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of the children and young people we support, as well as our foster carers and adopters,” they told us. “Whatever their start, we are here for their future.”

Barnardo’s told us they are committed to respond to the needs of their carers and adopters, which is why they offer a comprehensive preparation, training and support fostering/adoption programme, including access to support groups, foster carer or adopter forums and family social events.

The organisation has over 100 years’ experience of successfully matching and providing homes for children and young people with the right families, particularly providing fostering or adoptive families for the children who wait the longest:

– brothers and sisters

– older children

– Black and minority ethnic children

– children with additional or complex needs

And Barnardo’s promise to be there whenever you need their expertise with a 24/7 dedicated support helpline staffed by qualified and experienced Barnardo’s family placement social workers.

Generous financial support for fosterers

“We know that foster carers work hard and devote their time, expertise and love to those children who have not had the best start in life,” they said. “All our carers receive generous financial support, including a taxable income as well as a weekly allowance to help with the cost of looking after a child.”

What is the adoption process?

The first step is to get in touch. Barnardo’s says it understands that the decision to adopt is a huge step but promises to provide support every step of the way.

“On average it takes six months to become an approved adoptive parent - but we believe you can do it, and so should you.

“Making an enquiry is an opportunity for you to find out more about adoption and the application process, to help you decide if adoption is something that you want to pursue. There is no obligation or commitment if you make an enquiry, and one of our friendly, expert staff will contact you for an initial chat.”

More information about the adoption process can be found here.

Or contact Barnardo’s today on 0800 0277280 or [email protected]