Fostering in Bath and North East Somerset
Many children in Bath and North East Somerset are unable to remain with their families due to reasons such as illness, family breakdown, or experiences of neglect. TACT is currently seeking compassionate foster carers in Bath to offer these children the stability, care, and encouragement they need.
If you have a spare bedroom, a nurturing personality, and the commitment to provide a safe and happy home, you could become a valued member of our Fostering Bath team.
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Can I foster in Bath and North East Somerset?
No previous experience is required to begin fostering in Bath and North East Somerset. To move forward with an application, you’ll need to first meet the following initial criteria:
- Be aged 21 or over (there is no upper age limit).
- Have at least one spare bedroom available.
- Be a full-time UK resident or have indefinite leave to remain.
You’ll also need the time, flexibility, and commitment to fully dedicate yourself to fostering. Strong written and spoken English skills are important, as you’ll work alongside other professionals and keep clear written records of the progress and wellbeing of the young people in your care.
Full Training
You don’t need any previous experience or qualifications to become a foster carer.
We provide comprehensive training to help you feel confident, informed, and ready to welcome a child into your home. This training is delivered both online and face to face.
As part of the assessment process, you’ll complete an introductory course called Skills to Foster. This short online course gives you a clear overview of fostering and the chance to ask any questions along the way.
Once approved as a TACT foster carer, you’ll have access to a wide range of ongoing training opportunities to further develop your skills and enhance the support you provide to children and young people in Bath.
We also offer specialist training to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to care for children with additional or more complex needs.
24/7 Support
At TACT, we understand how important dependable, 24/7 support is for foster carers. That’s why we reinvest any surplus funds back into improving our services, so you can access help and guidance whenever you need it.
As a TACT foster carer, you’ll have your own dedicated Supervising Social Worker. With a manageable caseload, they can provide personalised advice and consistent support, empowering you to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will be your primary point of contact, and our out-of-hours service is always available to offer advice and assistance whenever you need it.
- Foster carer portal. An easy-to-use online platform giving you access to key information, training, resources, and practical guidance to support you at every stage of your fostering journey.
- Education service. A dedicated specialist team focused on helping the children in your care achieve their full potential through tailored educational support.
- Health service. A service fully focused on the mental health and wellbeing of the young people in your care.
- Support groups. Local groups in Bath and surrounding areas where you can meet other foster carers, exchange experiences, and build a supportive network.
- Therapeutic support groups. Monthly sessions designed for carers supporting children who have experienced complex trauma and/or attachment difficulties.
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners arrange activities, events, and resources to enrich the lives and experiences of the children in your care.
- Supporting your own children. We value the important role your own children play in fostering. Through our Children Who Foster events, they can meet others in similar situations and share their experiences.
- Peer support. Wherever possible, experienced TACT foster carers offer practical guidance, reassurance, and peer-to-peer support to those new to fostering.
Our Therapeutic Support Groups
Caring for children who have experienced complex trauma and/or attachment disruption requires specialist knowledge and consistent professional support.
Because of their early experiences, these children may see the world as unsafe and relationships as unpredictable. This can influence how they relate to others, sometimes leading to behaviours that escalate quickly and feel challenging or overwhelming.
Our monthly Therapeutic Support Groups offer foster carers a safe, non-judgemental environment to reflect on their experiences alongside a supportive peer network. These sessions also provide opportunities to explore behaviours and key topics that strengthen shared skills, celebrate successes, and build practical strategies. Taking part in trauma-informed discussions around both hopes and challenges can boost resilience and deepen understanding of the emotional needs of the children in your care.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are committed, skilled professionals – and our fees and allowances recognise the vital difference they make in children’s lives.
Through our partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council, we receive funding to support children and young people within the local community. This enables us to deliver high-quality services and provide comprehensive support to our foster carers.
The fostering allowance you receive will vary based on factors such as the type of care you provide, the number and ages of the children in your care, and the complexity of their individual needs.
There are also payments for children’s birthdays, holidays and religious festivals. We also pay long service awards and a Refer a Friend fee (if you recommend someone who then goes on to be an approved foster carer with us).
Below, you can find examples of the weekly Fostering Bath payments you could receive when a young person is placed in your care:
Meet The Area Manager
“TACT’s values strongly align with my own – and as a charity, I appreciate that every penny is reinvested into supporting the children and young people we care for. I’m passionate about improving outcomes for children and have particular interests in contextual safeguarding and positive leadership.”
Sara Gullick – TACT Area Manager South West
Sara joined TACT in 2026, having previously worked across local authorities and other independent fostering agencies as a social worker and senior manager. Sara has also fostered herself, which has provided her with first hand experience of providing care for children and young people.
Rated ‘GOOD’ By Ofsted
Following an inspection in April 2025, Ofsted have announced that TACT South West has been rated ‘GOOD’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“Foster carers support children to participate in social, leisure, and faith-based activities, in line with their wishes. In addition, children have enjoyed attending activities and events facilitated by the agency, including a residential music camp and an awards ceremony that celebrated their achievements. These activities help children to build positive memories.” – Ofsted, 2025
What Our Foster Carers Say
“I chose TACT because they are a charity, and their commitment to investing in high-quality training. The support for both carers and young people really attracted me to them. My current Supervising Social Worker is an absolute treasure. She is consistently there for me, whether it’s a supportive phone call or surprising me with flowers and chocolates!”
Janita – TACT Foster Carer since 2023
Fostering Information Events
- March 10, 2026
- East Midlands, London, North West, Scotland, South West, Virtual, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire & North East,
- Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Virtual Information Event – 10th March
Our virtual information event on 10th March is the perfect opportunity to learn more from the comfort of your own home.
- March 11, 2026
- South West
- Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Salisbury Information Event – 11th March
Live in the South West? Come along to our fostering information event at Culture Coffee, Salisbury on Wed 11th March to learn more about becoming a foster carer.
- March 20, 2026
- East Midlands, London, North West, Scotland, South West, Virtual, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire & North East,
- Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Virtual Information Event – 20th March
Our virtual information event on 20th March is the perfect opportunity to learn more from the comfort of your own home.
Start Your Fostering Journey
