Our advice service

Are you a parent, kinship carer relative or friend of a child who is involved with, or who needs the help of, children’s services in England? We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.

Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.

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To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.

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Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.

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Advice on our website

Our get help and advice section has template letters, advice sheets and resources about legal and social care processes. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons, you can use our webchat service to chat online to an adviser.

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Foster carer

Home » Get Help and Advice » A-Z of Terms » Foster carer

Under 1 minute read

A foster carer is someone who offers a place in their home to a looked after child. They will have been assessed and approved by children’s services or an independent fostering agency as suitable to provide foster care.

Family members and friends can be assessed and approved by children’s services to become foster carers. If a parents wants a family member to care for their child, or if a family member wants to foster a child they are related to, they should speak to the child’s social worker as soon as they can.

For more information see:

Approved foster carer

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