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Foster For
Greater
Manchester

Your everyday ordinary could make the world of difference to a child in care.

We’re here to help you take forward your interest in fostering for your local council. Talk to us.

Enquire about fostering

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Fostering FAQ's

Who can foster?

Greater Manchester’s foster carers come from many backgrounds. The minimum age is usually 21 but there is no upper limit. There are foster carers with young families and foster carers who have retired. You can be single, married, in a same sex relationship. You don’t need to own your home or live in any particular type of property, so long as you have at least one spare room.


What matters most is that you can provide a young person with a safe, loving, and stable home.

How can I Talk to Someone About Fostering?

Whether you’re curious for more information or have already decided to get involved, Foster for Greater Manchester’s team of experienced local council social workers is here to support you. You can talk to us by:

- Filling out our enquiry form 

- Call our hub: 0300 303 0321

- Email our hub: enquire@fosterforgm.com 

What is fostering?

Fostering is about opening up your home to welcome a child or young person into your family when they cannot live with their own. 

There are many different ways to foster depending on what suits you best. Some relationships last for days, others remain for a lifetime.

Children and young people come into care for many different reasons. Your stable home can provide a positive experience of family life.

Do foster carers get paid?

Foster carers receive a fostering allowance, which is usually paid fortnightly. This is intended to cover the costs of caring, such as clothing, food and pocket money. The amount varies depending on the age of the child.

You could also receive an additional payment to in recognition of your  skills, experience and changes you might make in how you spend your time. 

For many foster carers, the non-financial benefits are what is most rewarding – like free or subsidised opportunities to do things together as a family, or the chance to make a positive impact in the community. 

Can I still work?

Lots of foster carers have full or part-time jobs, are self-employed or run their own business.

A growing number of Greater Manchester workplaces are ‘Fostering Friendly’. This means they have policies and working arrangements that support their employees to look after children – such as flexible working and paid time off for training and settling a new child into their home. 

Which council should I foster for?

Foster for Greater Manchester supports foster carers and those interested in fostering with all 10 councils in Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

You can foster for your own local council or another. Our team can help you decide which council would be best for you to foster for.

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The greater Manchester family

Foster for your local council

All 10 local councils in Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, are working together to support you to take forward your interest in fostering. Whether you’re curious for more information or have already decided to get involved, our team of experienced council social workers and local foster carers can answer any questions you have. Let's talk about fostering.

All 10 local councils in Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, are working together to support you to take forward your interest in fostering. Whether you’re curious for more information or have already decided to get involved, our team of experienced council social workers and local foster carers can answer any questions you have. Let's talk about fostering.

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Are you interested in fostering in Greater Manchester? Speak to your local authority to find out more.