Tonight, somewhere in Coventry, a child will go to bed not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

For some children, home isn't a place where they feel safe. Through no fault of their own, they need someone to offer stability, kindness and a place where they can simply be children again.

That someone could be you.

Could You Change a Child's Story? Become a Foster Carer in Coventry

Every day, ordinary people across Coventry are making an extraordinary difference by opening their hearts and homes to children who need them most. They aren't superheroes. They are people from all walks of life who decided to take one simple first step – finding out more about fostering.

Could you do the same?

The Need for Foster Carers Has Never Been Greater

Across England, more than 81,000 children are currently in the care of local authorities. Here in Coventry, over 700 local children are being looked after by the City Council, each with their own unique story, hopes and dreams.

While the number of children needing foster care continues to grow, the number of foster carers has not kept pace. There are around 42,000 fostering households across England, but many more are needed to ensure children can stay close to their schools, friends and communities.

Every new foster carer means another child has the opportunity to remain in their local area, maintain important relationships and build a brighter future.

Behind Every Statistic Is a Child

It's easy to read the numbers and forget the children behind them.

Imagine being eight years old and having to leave everything familiar behind.
Imagine starting a new school where you don't know anyone.
Imagine wondering if anyone will come to your parents' evening, celebrate your birthday or simply ask how your day has been.

These are realities for many children in care.

Foster carers cannot change what has happened in a child's past, but they can change what happens next.

They provide much more than a spare bedroom. They provide encouragement, routine, reassurance and a sense of belonging that can help a child rebuild their confidence and thrive.

Sometimes, one caring adult can change the direction of a child's entire life.

"I Couldn't Foster Because..."

One of the biggest barriers to fostering is believing you're not the right person.

The truth is, foster carers come from many different backgrounds.

You can enquire about fostering if you are:

• Single, married or living with a partner.
• Working full-time or part-time (depending on the type of fostering).
• Renting your home or owning it.
• From any cultural, religious or ethnic background.
• LGBTQ+.
• With or without children of your own.

You don't need professional childcare qualifications. What matters most is that you have a genuine desire to help children, patience, understanding, resilience and a spare bedroom.

If you're unsure whether fostering is right for you, that's exactly what the friendly fostering team is there to discuss.

Get in touch with the team today.

Can I Afford to Foster?

This is one of the first questions many people ask.

Foster carers receive generous financial support to help cover the costs of caring for a child. With Foster with Coventry, carers can receive tax-free payments of between £20,000 and £52,000 per year, depending on the age of the child and the type of fostering they provide.

You'll also benefit from:

• Ongoing professional training
• A dedicated supervising social worker
• 24-hour support and advice
• 24/7 access to a well-being digital app
• Support groups and peer networks
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Go CV+ discounts
• Referral bonus payments

When you foster with Coventry, you become part of a supportive community that is with you every step of the journey.

There's More Than One Way to Foster

Many people assume fostering means making a lifelong commitment, but there are different ways you can help. Whether you can offer a home for a few days, several months or longer, there's likely to be a type of fostering that suits your circumstances.

These include:

• Mainstream Fostering – providing a stable home for children and young people who cannot live with their birth families.
• Short Stay Fostering – offering temporary care while longer-term plans are made.
• Out of Hours Fostering – providing emergency care for children who need somewhere safe to stay at short notice.

Not sure which type is right for you? The fostering team will help you explore the options.

You're Never Alone

Choosing to foster doesn't mean doing it on your own.

From your very first enquiry through to approval and beyond, you'll receive guidance, training and ongoing support from experienced professionals. Whether you need practical advice, emotional support or simply someone to talk things through with, the team will be there every step of the way.

Many Coventry foster carers say that becoming part of the city's fostering community is one of the things they value most.

What Coventry Foster Carers Say

The people best placed to explain fostering are those who do it every day.

"Fostering is a great thing to do… every child brings something good into your home, even if they don't know it."
— Timi, Coventry foster carer

"I can honestly say I love having the children. All they really want is to feel safe, cared for, and listened to."
— Katie, Coventry foster carer

Their experiences show that while fostering can be challenging at times, it is also one of the most rewarding things you can do. Many carers talk about watching children grow in confidence, achieve things they never thought possible and begin to believe in themselves again.

FAQ - Fostering in Coventry Explained

Do I need to own my home?

No. You can foster whether you own your home or rent, provided you have a spare bedroom.

Can I foster if I work?

Yes. Many foster carers combine fostering with employment. The options available will depend on the type of fostering you're interested in and the needs of the child.

Do I need qualifications?

No. Personal qualities are far more important than formal qualifications.

How long does the assessment take?

The fostering assessment usually takes around four to six months, and the team will support you throughout every stage of the process.

Can I foster if I'm single?

Absolutely. Many successful foster carers are single. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, stable and caring home.

A New National Commitment to Fostering

The Government has recently announced plans to increase fostering capacity across England, with the ambition of creating enough foster homes for 10,000 more children. Alongside national recruitment campaigns and improvements to support for foster carers, these reforms aim to challenge outdated myths about who can foster and make it easier for more people to begin their fostering journey.

There's never been a better time to find out more.

Could You Be the Difference?

You don't need to have made your mind up today. Most foster carers started exactly where you are now – simply wondering whether fostering might be right for them.

A friendly conversation doesn't commit you to anything, but it could be the first step towards changing a child's future.

If you've ever thought about fostering, the team would love to hear from you.

Come along to one of their information events, speak to the team or give them a call. There's no pressure—just honest advice and the opportunity to ask questions.

Your enquiry today could change a child's tomorrow.

Find out more:

• Call: 024 7683 2828
• Email: foster@coventry.gov.uk
• Visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/fostering
• Book a free information event: www.coventry.gov.uk/fosteringinfoevents

The team look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover whether fostering could be the right journey for you.