Thank you for considering fostering, taking this step could change a child’s life forever.
As a newly registered fostering agency with a unique offer, we are starting slowly and carefully to ensure we can offer great support to our first families. Our first intake is limited to six households who will be the first in the UK to be supported (both practically and financially) into new accommodation as part of their fostering journey.
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These pages will introduce you to what fostering involves, how HOME will work differently, the support we will offer, and the journey of becoming a foster carer with us.
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Our model blends international best practice with the impact of social enterprise, reinvesting in Greater Manchester and sharing learning nationally. Find out more about our model and it's development here.
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So if you've been thinking about fostering for a while but your property, space or housing has held you back, now is the time to get in touch and find out how fostering with HOME could work for you.
What is fostering, and who can do it?
Fostering offers vulnerable children a temporary, safe and supportive home when they cannot live with their birth families. Children enter care only when their safety or wellbeing is at risk, and foster carers play a vital role in helping them feel secure, understood, and able to thrive.
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There are several types of fostering, and with HOME these will include short‑term, long‑term and respite care. There is a national shortage of foster carers, especially homes with space for siblings to stay together.
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Anyone can foster, regardless of background, identity, or relationship status. What matters most is commitment, empathy, patience, and the ability to work well with others involved in a child’s life. Carers must be over 21, legally able to work in the UK, and live within (or be willing to move to) 10 miles of a Greater Manchester local authority.
Financial Support
HOME’s financial package for foster carers includes the following:
1. Fostering Allowance and Fees
Generous allowances to cover the costs of looking after each child and recognize and reward the incredible role you play.
2. Moving HOME Grant
Our Moving HOME Grant will help you with the deposit, initial rent costs and new furniture for your home.
3. HOME Rent Support
HOME will contribute a significant proportion of the rental cost of your property for the entire period you foster with us.
Property Support
We remove one of the biggest barriers to fostering: finding a suitable home. Our unique model helps you secure the right property by offering:
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Support to find and secure a fostering‑appropriate home
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Moving HOME grant
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Monthly Rent Support contribution
Practical & Social Support
We provide wrap around, personalised support so you never feel alone:
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A dedicated supervising social worker and telephone support from our team available 24/7
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Practical help with transport for school, family time or appointments
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Regular social events, activity days, and coffee mornings
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Peer support groups led by experienced carers
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Planned breaks and respite when needed
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Professional support at home from education, health and therapeutic specialists
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Access to mental health and psychological support for you and the children for whom you care
Development Support
We invest in your growth as a carer:
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Pre‑approval and ongoing training (online and in person)
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Monthly workshops during your first year
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Annual Personal Development Plan
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Option to complete a professional fostering qualification after year one
Why foster with HOME?
So, what happens next?
We appreciate there is a lot to take in, you're probably going to need a bit of time to think things through, and we've no doubt you'll have questions. That's why we highly recommend booking a chat with one of our team.
It doesn't matter where you are in considering the role of Foster Carer, it's good just to make contact and start building a relationship with our team.
If you're not quite ready to chat just yet, you can also share your details and download our brochure. That way, we know a bit about you if you do decide you want to talk further.
Want to know who you're dealing with? Get to know our team here.