Foster with Gateshead
We are committed to giving every young person the life they deserve
Foster families help children in Gateshead live happy and fulfilled lives. Some children will return to their families after days or weeks. Others live with foster carers for years, or even until they are grown up and ready to live independently.
We are the most direct route to caring for looked after children in the borough of Gateshead. We offer:
- a service rated "Good" by Ofsted in 2019 for its assessment, preparation and support
- a professional support network, underpinned by a dedicated community of foster carers
- valuable training, with funding towards qualifications for some carers
- a varied range of fostering types including short-term, long-term and respite care
- graded child allowance payments and skills-based payments offering the chance for career progression
- a vibrant programme of virtual and in-person events
The difference between fostering and adoption
When you foster a child, you are caring for them on behalf of the local authority and the birth parents. You have no legal rights or responsibilities in respect of the child. It is usually a temporary arrangement, although some fostering placements can be long-term. When you adopt a child you become their permanent legal parent. The child has the same legal status as any other family member, for the rest of their life. You can find out more about adoption at Adopt North East (opens new window) .
