We believe that the best place for a child to live is with their own family. Sadly, this is not always possible and children are taken into care. When this happens, the council becomes the child's Corporate Parent. This means that the council is responsible for the care and safeguarding of the child.
If children are not able to live at home or with family, the best alternative is for them to live with a foster carer or fostering family. We understand that looking after someone else’s child is a big responsibility so we need to make sure that fostering is right for you and your family. Our main aim is to make sure that children are safe.
In Stockport, we have over 300 children in foster placements at any one time. Nationally, the figure is over 60,000. Children come into care for many reasons. It can be unsettling and children will have to cope with lots of changes. Foster carers have the ability to change a child’s life by providing a stable and supportive home where children will be cared for and allowed to flourish.
The benefits of fostering with us
By fostering with Stockport Council, you'll be providing a home for a local child. This means that a child can stay in their local community. You'll also benefit from:
- shorter travelling distances between the child’s school, meetings and contact sessions
- easier access to local training courses, support groups and activities
- local links with Children’s Centres, schools and other professional services
- a supportive local fostering community
- being a professional member of Stockport Family, which was rated Good in the Stockport Children's Service Ofsted inspection, 2022
Foster carers play a vital role in providing safe and supportive homes for children in care. Children who need to be fostered often have complex family histories and require foster carers who are highly skilled to meet their needs.
We are a not for profit, local authority fostering service. We work closely with our partners to offer competitive benefits and opportunities that all foster carers can enjoy.
Max Card
All Stockport foster families receive a Max Card which can be used at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission. The scheme is designed to help fostering families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys, trampoline parks and more. This allows fostering families to make memories together through stimulating learning experiences and enjoyable days out for everyone.
Free Life Leisure membership
All our foster families, their birth children and children in their care are entitled to a free life leisure pass.
Blue Light Card
Foster carers are entitled to a Blue Light Card which offers discounts from large national retailers and local businesses. This includes:
- holidays
- cars
- days out
- fashion
- gifts
- insurance
- phones
Exclusive benefits and discounts
As a Stockport Council foster carer, you can access Vivup, our employee benefits, discounts and wellbeing platform. You can get a range of exclusive benefits and discounts for high street shops, savings schemes and discounted products.
Recommend a friend
As a Stockport Council foster carer, you can get £500 if you recommend a friend. The payment will be made when the person you recommend has been approved as a foster carer and takes a child into their home.
Find out more about the journey to becoming a foster carer using the button below.
Find information about your fostering journey
