Become a foster carer with Dorset Council
Discover the profound impact you can make on a child's life. Learn about the rewards, support, and community waiting for you at Dorset Council. Your journey to transforming lives starts here.
Why foster with Dorset Council?
Choosing to foster with Dorset Council means you’ll be making a real difference in a child’s life, helping them to grow, heal, and thrive. You’ll be offering love, stability, and a sense of belonging to children who need it most.
Make a real difference
Many children in Dorset need safe, stable homes where they feel valued and supported. Foster carers help children grow, heal, and thrive emotionally and socially.
Provide love and stability
You’re not just providing accommodation—you’re offering love, stability, and belonging. It’s the most rewarding experience of your life.
See them grow and thrive
One Dorset foster carer described it as seeing children “grow and thrive”. Join us and be part of their journey.
The core role of a foster carer
At its heart, fostering is about creating a safe, nurturing home where a child can feel secure and cared for. This involves everyday parenting responsibilities with extra awareness of the child’s background and needs.
Everyday parenting responsibilities
Foster carers provide meals, clothing, and a clean, safe home. They establish routines like bedtimes, school, and activities, setting boundaries and offering guidance, treating the child as part of the family.
Emotional support and care
Many children in care have experienced trauma, neglect, or instability, so emotional support is a huge part of the role. In many ways, it’s similar to parenting—but with extra awareness of the child’s background and needs.
Support and training for foster carers
Dorset Carers Voice provides comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and capable in your fostering journey. We are with you every step of the way.
Before you start: pre-approval training
Before becoming a foster carer, you’ll receive structured preparation, including a “Journey to Foster” or Skills training course (typically a few days). This covers child development, trauma and behaviour, safeguarding, and the fostering role.
Child development
Understand the stages of child development and how to support children through different ages and challenges.
Trauma and behaviour
Learn how to identify and respond to the impact of trauma on a child’s behaviour, providing compassionate support.
Safeguarding
Receive essential training on safeguarding practices to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in your care.
Ongoing training and development
Training doesn’t stop once you’re approved. You’ll complete national Training, Support and Development Standards within your first year, with core mandatory training and optional specialist courses.
Continuous learning and growth
We believe in continuous professional development. You'll have access to core mandatory training to keep your skills sharp and specialist courses tailored to your needs or the child's.
Qualities we look for
We value patience, empathy, resilience, emotional strength, and good communication skills. These qualities are crucial for supporting children who may have experienced trauma or instability.
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