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Fostering in the South of England

Welcome to TACT South

With over 25 years experience in foster care, we are the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity. When you choose to foster with TACT, you will receive a generous fostering allowance, 24/7 support and access to a comprehensive training programme.

Sadly, there are over 2,000 children in the South of England who cannot be looked after by their own family. We are urgently recruiting more foster carers in the South who can provide care and support to some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people. You could join our Fostering South Coast team of foster carers!

We are recruiting foster carers all across the South of England, particularly in Bournemouth, Dorset, Hampshire, Poole and Portsmouth.

Can I foster in The South of England?

The first step is to check that you fulfil the basic general fostering requirements:

  • Are you at least 21 years old?
  • Do you have at least one spare bedroom in your home?
  • Are you a full-time resident of the UK, or do you have indefinite leave to remain?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to all three questions, you have fulfilled the initial criteria. We would now like to talk to you further about why you would like to become a foster carer, and ask you some more questions. Please complete our ‘start your fostering journey’ form on this page.

Why foster with TACT?

Foster carers come to us for many reasons and they stay with us – because we help them do the most rewarding job in the world. Together we transform the lives of children and young people, giving them the chance to lead happy, loving, fulfilled lives.

At TACT we are more than just a fostering agency; as a charity we put our foster carers and the children they care for at the heart of everything that we do.

Choosing to become a foster carer is one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make, and we will be by your side every step of the way making sure that you feel valued, encouraged and supported – that is why 98% of our foster carers would recommend fostering with TACT.


“Children benefit from successful and stable foster placements. Their welfare is safeguarded and promoted. As a result, children thrive in secure placements, enjoying relationships that are loving and nurturing.” – Ofsted

 

Across the South region, we offer:

  • Local training and support groups hosted in Wimborne and Havant.
  • We have achieved an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’ in our most recent inspection
  • Social workers based in both Dorset and Hampshire, meaning support is always available.
  • Children and foster carer events throughout the year, including trips to aquariums, theme parks and the beach. We understand what a vital role the birth children of our foster carers play within fostering families, so they also attend all events and days out.
  • Our new foster carers are ‘buddied’ with our more experienced foster carers to provide additional support. Our foster families also regularly meet up for coffee mornings and days out.
  • Support to our foster families is provided by social workers, children’s resource workers, therapists and educational support.

Read Annette and Andrew's blog here

“Our foster daughters can focus on their future without worrying about losing each other.”

“My husband Andrew comes from a family who frequently cared for young disabled residents as his elder sister was a nurse. My mother-in-law subsequently became attached to one girl who she eventually ended up offering respite weekends to. Therefore, as a teenager Andrew was already familiar with caring for others, so the idea of fostering made a lot of sense for us…”

What do TACT foster carers benefit from?

  • We are the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity. This means that all our surplus income is reinvested into foster carers and our young people.
  • 24/7 support ensuring that whatever you face as a foster carer you are never alone
  • Competitive fees and allowances, worked out depending on the detail of each placement
  • An excellent training package, tailored to your needs and those of the children placed with you
  • Regular meetings and support groups, giving you the chance to meet other foster carers and share experience
  • Dedicated events for the children in your care, giving them the chance to meet other fostered children
  • Access to our specialist Health & Education Services, to further help you provide care to vulnerable children

 

This is Christine, she looks after our Fostering South England team

 

 

“I have always worked with children from 0-18 years in a variety of settings including the NHS, Local Authorities, and small Charitable organisations. TACT’s ethos is putting the child at the centre and that resonates with me – making TACT a charity I am proud to be a part of.”

– Christine McGillvary

Upcoming Information Events

There are no upcoming information events

How to become a foster carer with TACT?

If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer with TACT, you can request an information pack by completing the form on this page, or call us on 0330 123 2250.

Our bases in the South of England for training and support are located in Wimborne (Dorset) and in Havant (Hampshire) meaning that we are always local to you.

Although our carer hubs are located across the South of England, as an approved foster carer you will be registered to our South London fostering service. Find out more in our Statement of Purpose.

Read our latest Ofsted Report.