Camden welcomes people from many backgrounds and family circumstances into fostering, and Apple Fostering assesses applicants individually. You may be single or in a relationship, rent or own your home, have children or have no previous parenting experience.

You will generally need a suitable spare bedroom, the time and flexibility to meet a child’s needs, and the ability to communicate and work with professionals. The assessment also considers your health, relationships, support network, background, experience and motivation to foster. Prospective foster parents should expect thorough safeguarding and suitability checks. Camden Council’s own process, for example, includes home visits, medical and police checks, references and a detailed assessment and says the full application process takes roughly six months. Apple Fostering follows its own assessment and approval process, so individual timescales can vary. These checks are crucial to ensuring children’s safety and helping applicants prepare for the responsibilities of fostering.

Read more about fostering assessments and what happens before approval.

Why Foster?

Fostering can be a highly rewarding experience, allowing you to make a positive difference in the life of a child or young person. As a foster carer, you will have the opportunity to develop new skills and experiences, and to be part of a supportive community of carers who are working together to provide the best possible care for children and young people.

Fostering can also be a great way to build strong relationships with children and young people, helping them achieve their full potential and outcomes. In addition to the personal rewards of fostering, foster carers also receive a range of benefits and support, including training, financial assistance, and access to a dedicated team of professionals who can provide guidance and advice.

By becoming a foster carer, you can help to address the crisis in foster care and provide a safe and supportive home for a child or young person who is in need. Fostering is a flexible and varied experience, with a range of different types of foster care available, including short-term, long-term, and respite care.

What Training and Support Will I Receive?

Foster carers receive preparation before approval and continued learning as their experience develops. Training can help carers understand safeguarding, trauma, attachment, behaviour and the impact a child’s previous experiences may have on everyday life. Camden Council’s own route includes a three-day Skills to Foster course as part of its assessment process; Apple Fostering provides its own preparation and training to help prospective carers understand the role and feel prepared before approval.

Ongoing support is just as important. Having reliable professional support is crucial when you foster. Regular supervision gives carers space to discuss a placement, ask for advice and develop their skills, while Apple Fostering’s team is there to answer questions, talk through challenges and help carers work towards positive outcomes for children and young people. Access to a supportive community of other carers can also help you learn from people who understand the realities of fostering.

Explore our foster carer training and the support provided to foster carers.

What Types of Foster Care Could I Provide?

Different placements meet different needs. Short-term fostering provides temporary care while plans are made, while long-term placements can offer greater stability when a child cannot return home. Emergency fostering may be required at short notice, sibling placements can help brothers and sisters remain together where appropriate, and parent-and-child placements can support a young parent and baby together.

Matching should always take account of the child’s individual needs and the foster carer’s skills, household and experience.

Explore the different types of fostering placements Apple Fostering supports.

What Financial Support Do Foster Carers Receive?

Foster carers receive financial support to help cover the everyday costs of caring for a child, including food, clothing, travel, activities and other essential expenses. The amount you receive can vary depending on the type of placement and the needs of the child in your care.

Apple Fostering can explain the current fostering allowances available, what they are designed to cover and what you may be entitled to receive before you decide whether fostering is right for you.

You can also learn more about foster carer allowances and financial support before making an enquiry.