Information for Fostering Services
Fosterline is a free confidential helpline for foster carers and prospective foster carers in England, delivered by The Fostering Network on behalf of the Department for Education, to assist in the recruitment and retention of foster carers.

Fosterline responds to enquiries from current and prospective foster carers by telephone and email, from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm (except for Bank Holidays).

Foster carers using email or webforms to contact Fosterline will receive a response within 24 hours, or on the next working day, if outside of working hours. A voicemail facility is also available and calls will be responded to within the same timeframes.

Fosterline supports fostering services in the recruitment and retention of foster carers by:

  • Providing free, confidential, impartial, advice, support and signposting to foster carers and prospective foster carers on a wide range of issues affecting them including; allegations, staying put, special guardianship, tax, benefits, care planning, and many more
  • Providing an interactive Find a Fostering Service facility on our website so that prospective foster carers can search for a local fostering service in order to make an application to foster
  • Providing a free Recruitment Notice Board where fostering services can advertise their forthcoming recruitment events for no charge. Make sure your fostering services uses this free facility to make prospective foster carers in your area aware of your recruitment needs and activities.

Supporting foster carers

Recruitment and retention of foster carers

Let Fosterline help you to recruit foster carers!
So that Fosterline can help you in the recruitment and retention of your foster carers, we suggest that you put a link to www.fosterline.info on your website.

Also check that your details are correct on our ‘Find a Fostering Service’ facility.

Advertise your forthcoming recruitment events on our free Carer Recruitment Noticeboard. Further information is available here.