Fostering in Newham
Becoming a foster carer can change young people’s lives. Unfortunately, many children in the London Borough of Newham urgently require supportive and caring foster homes, so if becoming a foster carer is something you have been considering, now would be a great time to start your fostering journey. You could join our Fostering Newham team!
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Can I foster in Newham?
You don’t need any previous experience to start fostering in Newham. To proceed with an application, you would need to meet this initial criteria:
- To be over 21 years old (there is no upper age limit)
- To have at least one spare bedroom
- To be a full-time resident in the UK or have indefinite leave to remain
You would also need the time and flexibility to dedicate yourself to fostering. Good written and spoken English is essential, as you would be required to work with other professionals, and provide written records detailing the progress of any young people in your care.
Full Training
No prior experience or training is required to become a foster carer.
We provide comprehensive training to help you feel confident and fully equipped to welcome children into your home. This training is available both online and in person.
As part of the assessment process, you’ll participate in an introductory course called Skills to Foster. This short online program gives you an overview of fostering and a chance to ask any questions you may have.
Once approved as a TACT foster carer, you’ll have access to a wide range of training designed to enhance your skills and support children and young people in the Newham area.
We also offer specialised training to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to care for children with specific needs or challenges.
24/7 Support
At TACT, we understand the importance of having round-the-clock support as a foster carer. That’s why we reinvest all surplus funds into improving our services, ensuring help is always available when you need it.
As a TACT foster carer, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Supervising Social Worker with a manageable caseload, enabling them to provide personalised guidance and help you make a meaningful difference to children’s lives.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will be your main contact, backed by an out-of-hours service that’s always available for advice and assistance.
- Foster carer portal. An easy-to-use online platform with access to vital information, training, resources, and guidance to support you throughout your fostering journey.
- Education service. A specialist team focused on helping children in your care achieve their full potential with tailored educational support.
- Health service. Regular assessments to monitor children’s physical and emotional well-being, promoting their overall development and health.
- Support groups. Local groups in Newham and nearby areas where you can connect with other foster carers, share experiences, and build a supportive network.
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners organise activities, events, and additional resources to support the children in your care in Newham.
- Supporting your own children. We value the role of your own children 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 are available to provide new carers with practical advice, encouragement, and peer-to-peer support.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are committed professionals, and our fees and allowances recognise the vital role they play in transforming children’s lives.
In collaboration with Newham London Borough Council, we receive funding to support the care of children and young people in the community. This funding enables us to deliver outstanding services and offer extensive 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 Newham payments you could receive when a young person is placed in your care:
Meet The Area Manager
“I work relentlessly to support our foster carers so that we can impact the lives of our children and young people to become the best they can be – by ensuring that they live in homes that are safe, fun, loving and nurturing.”
Priscilla Makambe – TACT Area Manager London, Essex & Hertfordshire
Priscilla started working for TACT in 2019, having previously worked in Local Authority Child Protection and Children with Disabilities Teams before moving into fostering more than 15 years ago.
Rated ‘Good’ By Ofsted
Following an inspection in March 2022, Ofsted have announced that TACT London, Essex and Hertfordshire has been rated ‘Good’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“Children thrive and make good progress from their starting points. This is because they share positive and trusting relationships with their foster carers. These positive relationships help children to feel safe and secure.” – Ofsted 2022
What Our Foster Carers Say
“We looked at several fostering agencies and decided to contact TACT because we liked the fact that they are a charity and that they are really family-oriented. We can’t believe how much support TACT has given us, they are like a big family which is always there whenever we need them.”
Sarah & Richard – TACT Foster Carers since 2016
Fostering Information Events
- April 11, 2025
- London
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Hammersmith Fostering Information Event
TACT London are hosting a Fostering Information Session at RCNI London West Nursing Careers & Jobs Fair on Friday 11th April 2025 between 9.30am – 4pm.
- September 5, 2025
- London
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Islington Fostering Information Event
TACT London, Essex & Hertfordshire are hosting a Fostering Information Session at RCNI London North Nursing Careers & Jobs Fair on Friday 5th September 2025 between 9.30am – 4pm.
Start Your Fostering Journey
