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Want to learn more about Fosterline? 

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Thinking of fostering?

If you are thinking of fostering, we have a range of information for you to explore. 

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  • What is fostering?
  • Why foster?
  • Who can foster?
  • How do I become a foster carer?
  • Fostering quiz
  • Preparing to foster guide
  • Find a Fostering Service
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Already fostering?

We have a range of information to support you throughout your fostering journey. 

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  • Preparing to welcome a child into your home
  • Safeguarding
  • Facing an allegation
  • Celebrating and supporting diversity
  • Caring for a child with a disability
  • Caring for an autistic child
  • Attachment and fostering
  • Fostering legislation
    • Legal status of children in foster care
    • Parental responsibility
    • Delegation of authority
    • Child in need assessment
    • Court orders
    • The Children's Act 1989
    • National minimum standards and fostering regulations
  • Fostering and education
  • Fostering and finances
  • Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
  • Training for foster carers
  • Advocacy for children and young people
  • Contact (family time)
  • Facing challenges
  • Complaints to fostering services
  • Transferring fostering services
  • Terms, reviews, and resignation
  • Fostering with pets
  • Fostering and insurance
  • Leaving care

Resources

We have a range of further resources for both current and prospective foster carers. 

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  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Preparing to foster guide
  • Counselling
  • Other useful organisations

Fostering Services

Learn more about how we can support fostering services.

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  • Supporting foster carers
  • Recruitment and retention of foster carers

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  • England
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Useful pages

Find a fostering service Types of fostering Fostering and finances Contact us
Pile Of Books

Fostering legislation

  • Preparing to welcome a child into your home
  • Safeguarding
  • Facing an allegation
  • Celebrating and supporting diversity
  • Caring for a child with a disability
  • Caring for an autistic child
  • Attachment and fostering
  • Fostering legislation
  • Fostering and education
  • Fostering and finances
  • Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
  • Training for foster carers
  • Advocacy for children and young people
  • Contact (family time)
  • Facing challenges
  • Complaints to fostering services
  • Transferring fostering services
  • Terms, reviews, and resignation
  • Fostering with pets
  • Fostering and insurance
  • Leaving care

The main legislative body in England is the UK Parliament. The responsibility for fostering rests with the Department for Education.

The information listed in the following pages is for guidance only and is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to all legislation relating to children and young people in foster care in England.

Adult Reading

Most of the law relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of looked after children and the approval and assessment of foster carers is contained within the following legislation:

  •  The Children Act 1989
  • Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services
  • The Care Standards Act 2000;
  • The Adoption and Children Act 2002
  • The Children Act 2004
  • The Children and Young Persons Act 2008
  • Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 (amended)
  • The Fostering Services Regulations 2011
  • National Minimum Standards (NMS)


The Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and NMS provide a clear framework for Fostering Service Providers, Foster Carers and associated staff with regard to how fostering services should be delivered, how foster carers should be assessed, and what foster carers can expect to receive by way of support. The Regulations and Standards are used by OFSTED when inspecting fostering service providers.

We have a range of resources discussing key legislative areas: 

Legal status of children in foster care Parental responsibility Delegation of authority Child in need assessment Court orders Special Guardianship Order (SGO) The Children's Act 1989 NMS and fostering regulations Links to legislation and guidence
Doing Paperwork

Did you know that all foster carers must register as self-employed with HMRC? We have lots of advice for foster carers around fostering and finance, including tax, national insurance, and benefits. 

Fostering and finances
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