You can foster for Cumbria

We need foster carers across Cumbria to care for children and young people who are unable to live with their own families.

If you are interested in fostering then we'd really like to hear from you. Please get in touch with our recruitment team on 0303 333 1216 or 01228 221408.

We also hold information sessions throughout the county to give you the chance to find out more about fostering.  At these information sessions you will be shown a short film made by local foster carers and some of the children they look after. There will be a presentation going through the process involved in becoming a foster carer and then you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Details of our upcoming information sessions are listed below. If you would like to come along then you're more than welcome to turn up on the day. Don't worry if you are unable to attend a particular date - we arrange sessions across Cumbria on a regular basis and if you let us know you're interested in finding out more about fostering we can invite you to the next one in your area.

Fostering for Cumbria

In Cumbria we believe that all children and young people have the right to be healthy, happy and safe; to be loved, valued and respected; and to have high aspirations for their future.

In Cumbria we would wish all children to have secure relationships with family, friends and carers, be eager, excited, curious and engaged in learning, have self confidence, be able to co-operate and communicate socially and have the best possible health and development.

The Fostering Service is one of many services provided for children that help to achieve this vision.

Cumbria’s Fostering Service is child-centred and aims to provide high quality foster care placements for the children of Cumbria who cannot, for a period of time or permanently, live with their own birth family. We are committed where a child cannot remain in the care of his/her parents to exploring fully the prospects for placement in the extended family and friend network. 

Foster Carers in Cumbria are valued for the high standard of care they provide to very vulnerable children. They have a career structure and regular access to supervision, support and training.  They also assist in the important task of recruitment. All new foster care applicants are assessed by a qualified social worker. This process is designed to help the carers and the assessing social worker to identify the sort of caring which will fit in with their lifestyle and wishes and meet the needs of the children we are caring for. 

Key documents

Title	Date	Size
Fostering
Foster Carer August 2012 Newsletter	02/10/2012	69k
Foster Carer Mileage Claim Form	21/08/2012	81k
Fostering - Recognise the qualities you've got	14/06/2011	2864k
Fostering Service - Statement of Purpose 2011 - 2012	07/02/2012	289k
Guide to the Payment of Foster Carers - 9 April 2012 - 31 March 2013	16/03/2012	51k
Looked after babies	12/08/2011	1010k
Some shared ideas on how to live with young people who steal and lie	23/04/2012	4684k
CMO Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Yound People (5-18 Years)	11/04/2012	554k
Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Years (Under 5s capable of walking)	11/04/2012	540k
Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Years (Under 5s who are not yet walking)	11/04/2012	506k
Private Fostering
Foster Leaflet Child	16/01/2013	1156k
Foster Leaflet Parents	16/01/2013	1002k
Fostering Posters	16/01/2013	801k