Foster carers provide safe and loving homes for children who can't live with their own families.
This can be for a few weeks, months, or until the child becomes an adult. These children may have faced difficult experiences or their families might not be able to care for them safely.
Page Contents
- Who decides when children need foster care?
- Who are we looking for?
- Where are ßÙßÇÂþ»'s foster children?
- Why is Fostering important?
- How does fostering work?
- Supporting family reunification in ßÙßÇÂþ»
- Want to learn more?
Who decides when children need foster care?
Local authorities and the courts decide when a child can't stay with their family.
ßÙßÇÂþ» Fostering Service supports these children and their foster carers. We are solely responsible for finding suitable foster families to ensure children are well cared for and have the best possible future.
Who are we looking for?
In ßÙßÇÂþ», most children who need foster care are aged 11 or older. We’re actively looking for foster carers who can support teenagers and provide the stability they need during a key stage of their lives.
We also urgently need foster families who can care for siblings. Keeping brothers and sisters together has a powerful impact on their emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging. To foster siblings, you’ll ideally need more than one spare bedroom, as well as the time and commitment to support their relationship and individual needs.
We welcome people from all walks of life, whether you rent, live alone, or don’t yet have a spare room. If fostering is something you're considering, get in touch and we’ll work with you to explore how it could become a reality.
Where are ßÙßÇÂþ»'s foster children?
Foster carers are needed in every part of ßÙßÇÂþ», from Woking and Guildford to Redhill, Epsom, and beyond. Children in care come from all over the county, and we aim to keep them close to the places they know and love.
When children stay in their local area, they can remain at the same school, keep in touch with friends, and stay connected to their community. This sense of continuity helps them feel safe, supported, and rooted during a time of great change.
ßÙßÇÂþ» is doing well in helping children stay close to home, with . This is significantly higher than the national average for children placed through independent fostering agencies (IFAs), where placements are often much farther from a child’s community.
With more local foster carers, we can build on this success and help even more children stay connected to their schools, friends, and familiar surroundings, which is vital for their emotional wellbeing and long-term stability.
Why is Fostering important?
Fostering plays a vital role in the UK’s care system. As of , caring for thousands of vulnerable children. However, the number of new foster carers is declining and applications dropped by 18% compared to 2018–2019. This shortage means many children may not receive the tailored support they need.
Children entering care are often from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to the Office for National Statistics, (such as employment, education, health, or housing). Fostering offers these children a chance to break the cycle of deprivation and build a brighter future.
How does fostering work?
The Gateway to Resources team is ßÙßÇÂþ»’s central hub for sourcing, matching, and quality-assuring placements for children and young people in care. They work across in-house and external provision, including independent fostering agencies (IFAs), residential homes, and supported accommodation, to ensure every child receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
The team works closely with social workers, fostering services, and carers to coordinate placements that are child-centred and aligned with ßÙßÇÂþ»’s care standards. This includes:
- Receiving placement requests from social workers, including detailed information about the child’s needs, care plan, risks, and timelines.
- Checking in-house availability and, where necessary, seeking approval to approach external providers.
- Careful matching of children to carers based on key factors such as education, identity, behaviour, health, and placement focus.
- Liaising with supervising social workers and providers to ensure full information sharing and appropriate planning.
- Facilitating Placement Planning Meetings to agree on care arrangements, responsibilities, and support services.
We also support long-term foster care planning, ensuring that children and carers are well-prepared for a stable and lasting placement, and that all parties understand the commitment and support available.
If you’re a provider, professional, or community partner interested in working with Gateway to Resources, or if you’ve identified gaps in ßÙßÇÂþ»’s local offer, please contact us at sendandinclusioncommissioning@surreycc.gov.uk.
Supporting family reunification in ßÙßÇÂþ»
Reunification is when a child who has been in foster care returns to live with their birth family. It’s the most common outcome for children leaving care, but it requires careful planning and support. ßÙßÇÂþ»’s Reunification Support Service (RSS) works in five phases:
- Identification – Social workers assess if reunification is appropriate.
- Planning – A tailored support plan is developed.
- Implementation – Families receive practical and emotional support.
- Review – Progress is monitored and adjusted.
- Reunification – Legal orders are updated and the child’s care plan reflects their new home life.
Reunification is about rebuilding trust, stability, and creating opportunities for the child. The RSS aligns with ßÙßÇÂþ»’s Community Vision for 2030, helping children feel safe, supported, and confident in their future. Charity plays a vital role in supporting families during reunification. Their partnership with RSS ensures children return to homes that are not only safe but welcoming.
The RSS is open to all children in care in ßÙßÇÂþ», regardless of background or identity. Every case is assessed fairly, and additional needs are addressed to ensure no child is excluded from the opportunity to return home.
Want to learn more?
Take our quick Could You Foster? quiz or order a free brochure to learn more about how fostering could fit into your life.
ßÙßÇÂþ» is a Fostering Friendly employer.