Get the latest news, events and information about fostering with Essex County Council.
If you feel committed to improving a child's life, you're over 21 and have a spare bedroom, you can foster. Essex County Council's fostering team will help you with finding a type of fostering that works for you, and your family.
Fostering is a flexible role
Different types of fostering is available. You can foster a child from one weekend a month, all the way up to full time.
Our foster carer community is inclusive
We have foster carers who are single, married, living with their own children. Some of our foster carers work flexibly in another job, and some have retired.
Exciting news - new foster carers who join us in 2025 will receive a £2000 welcome bonus
In recognition of the vital work foster carers do, we're pleased to say we're updating our financial and wellbeing offer. We're thrilled to announce:
-foster carers fees are increasing by 16% (in line with inflation)
-£2, 000 welcome bonus for foster carers who join us in 2025
-significantly increasing the rate of pay for expenses you can claim
Other specialist fees are increasing too, including hourly pay for buddy and ambassador roles. We will announce full fee breakdowns and details for 2025/26 soon.
“Never underestimate the impact you might have on a young person, even if you’re only with them for a short period of time,"