Faith-based Foster Care
As a faith-based fostering service, we believe the best outcomes for children are achieved by finding foster parents who best understand the religious or cultural needs of the children in their care.
Why is there a need for foster parents from different backgrounds?
We’re always looking to build a wide and diverse ‘pool’ of foster carers to call on, and being an inclusive faith-based fostering agency, we welcome applications from everyone.
As we specialise in faith-based fostering and supporting children from black and ethnic minority communities, we especially welcome applications from people from these backgrounds – particularly as we’re experiencing a growing demand for our expertise.
According to the Office for National Statistics, there are approximately 79,000 children in foster care across England. Of these, 5,370 are from Muslim, Hindu and Sikh backgrounds with a further 1,780 of Asian mixed race. Similarly, 8,440 are Black African/Black Caribbean, and 4,400 more are Black mixed race. That’s the equivalent of 25% of all fostered children, which is why our approach to foster care and religion is so important.
An inclusive approach to fostering
But it doesn’t stop there. We also look after White British children, of faith and none faith, which is why we have developed our inclusive fostering approach.
Everything we do is geared towards helping all children reach their full potential. For children from minority ethnic backgrounds or with specific religious or cultural requirements, this means being supported by people who understand their needs and experiences. The support of foster carers from these communities is vital to us.
We’re one of the only independent faith-based fostering agencies that have a faith-based foster parent recruitment approach. This means we carefully match foster carers with children and young people who share the same religious or cultural background. We’re able to call on a wide range of ethnicities in our team, and we also have staff that can speak languages other than English, so you’ll always have access to the support you need, when you need it. However, when you foster a child, it is important that you can speak in English, as you'll need to communicate with others outside of ACS about any young person you care for.
Our faith-based foster care is focused on diversity and inclusion. We do everything in our power to help children and young people and their foster parents develop in a warm and welcoming environment built around their religious beliefs or cultural needs.
Want to know more?
Find out more about becoming a foster parent or take your first step to fostering and get in touch today - we'd love to hear from you.
Fostering and Religion
Find out more about our faith-based fostering service. Choose your faith or culture below.
Can I live off the fostering allowance?
The allowance is designed to cover the costs of childcare and reward your commitment, and many foster parents have this as their main source of income. However, fostering allowances are only available when a child is in your care. While we try to ensure continuous placements, you might experience short gaps without a foster child. If this happens, will you be able manage financially?
Do I need any special qualifications to foster?
Special qualifications are not needed as we will give you all the support and training you need.
Can I foster if I have kids?
Yes you can as long as you have a spare bedroom as a foster child can't share a room with your own birth children. We match children to families very carefully, so if you have your own birth children we will ensure there needs are looked after too, this can affect the number of children we can match your family too.
I can't drive, does this mean I can’t foster?
Being able to drive is a big advantage, children often need to be transported to school and contact and as a foster parent you must attend training and meetings. If you live in an area with excellent transport links you may be able to foster without having your own transport, but for most foster parents a car is a necessity.