Foster with Gateshead
We are committed to giving every young person the life they deserve
A number of children across Gateshead are in need of a temporary or permanent home where they feel safe and cared for. 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 several 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 provide a range of training and support to allow you to gain confidence and flourish in your fostering role.
Discover how fostering can have a positive impact on a child or young person with our fostering film 'The Run'
Our fostering service has joined over 90 other local council fostering services across the UK as part of a national project to highlight fostering, the positive impact it can have and the need for more foster carers.
The film 'The Run' focuses on 11-year-old Tom and the dangers he faces contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life with then running as a sport with the support of his new foster family.
If you feel you could provide a loving home to a child like Tom, and want to find out more about this rewarding role, register for our next fostering information event or contact our regional enquiry hub Foster with North East.
At Gateshead we offer:
- a service rated "Good" by Ofsted in 2024 for its experiences and progress of children in care
- 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).
