Fostering in Bolton
In Bolton, there are some children and young people who cannot be looked after by their own parents. It could be because of internal conflicts within the family, or a parent or guardian may have a long-term illness. Sadly, it could also be because they have experienced some form of neglect, or even abuse. TACT are currently recruiting foster parents in Bolton in order to provide loving homes for these young people.
You don’t need any childcare qualifications, or even any experience. The initial criteria for becoming a foster carer is to have at least one spare bedroom in your home, a caring and nurturing disposition – and energy to provide a child with a secure and loving home. If you feel that this could be something you could do, you could join our Fostering Bolton team!
Meet Our Team
We have a great team of staff within the Bolton area. Jon Broadhurst, our area manager for the area, is truly passionate about making a difference to children’s lives. He manages our great team of social workers – ensuring that our team of foster parents are fully supported. Jon has over 28 years’ experience in social work, with 17 years’ experience specifically in the charitable sector.
We cover a wide area around Bolton, including Darcy Lever, Burnden, Breightmet, Halliwell – and many other areas in the region.
Why Foster in Bolton with TACT?
TACT is the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity – enabling us to provide care for children on a national level. We reinvest any surplus income into providing more support and training for foster carers interested in fostering.
As one of the leading fostering agencies in Bolton, we work closely with Bolton Council to ensure that we match children and young people to our fantastic team of foster carers in the area. Our Fostering Bolton team of carers are provided with training and support that is local to them – to enable them to change young people’s lives. Because we reinvest surplus income, the additional support that we can provide to our foster carers in Bolton is over and above what is required of a fostering charity. This includes a dedicated education service, health service and an online foster carer portal that contains useful resources and information.
Were more than just a fostering agency – we go above and beyond to look after our foster carers and the children they provide care for. Our TACT Connect service ensures that when children leave the care system, they have TACT’s support for life.
This is why 98% of our carers would recommend us to others thinking of fostering.
Rated as ‘OUTSTANDING’ by Ofsted
Following an inspection in December 2023, Ofsted have announced that TACT North West has been rated ‘Outstanding’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“Children’s lives are enriched by the love and care they receive from their foster carers. Children make exceptional progress as a result of the quality of care they experience. Children are welcomed into their fostering households and embraced as part of their foster family.”– Ofsted 2023
24/7 Support
24/7 support is essential in order to ensure that our foster carers continue to provide a high level of care to young people. This is why we reinvest surplus income into providing more support for our fostering families.
Our Fostering Bolton team of carers are allocated their own Supervising Social Worker who will support them throughout their fostering journey and beyond. Our social workers have manageable workloads, so that they are able to dedicate more time to you. The better we support you, the better you will be able to provide the guidance and care required to change young people’s lives.
Specifically, we provide the following:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will usually provide all the support you require, but our dedicated out-of-hours support service will provide peace of mind.
- Foster carer portal. A place to find information, advice, training and other resources to help you with your day-to-day life as a foster carer.
- Education service. Our specialist service provides support and advice to help ensure that the children in your care receive the best possible educational opportunities.
- Health service. Our unique health service was established to monitor the physical and mental health of young people in your care.
- Support groups. Our support groups operate all over the North West, and will provide you with a local outlet to meet other carers in Bolton and surrounding areas, giving you the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge. You may even make some new friends!
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Activity Practitioners provide the children in your care with additional support, activities and events local to Bolton and surrounding areas.
- Supporting your own children. We understand that your own children play an important role in the fostering household. As such, our Children Who Foster events in Bolton and surrounding areas will provide your children with an opportunity to socialise with other young people who make an amazing contribution to fostering.
- Peer support. In some areas, peer-to-peer support may be available. These work by pairing newly approved foster carers with experienced TACT carers to provide another level of support.
Fostering Allowance Bolton
Foster carers are highly skilled people, and our fees and allowances reflect this.
Our services are funded by Bolton Council, and we work closely with them to ensure that their funding is properly invested in both our foster carers and the general service we provide.
If you join our Fostering Bolton team, the total fostering allowance that you receive will vary based on a number of factors. It could be the type of foster care that you provide, as well as the number of young people that you provide care for. The complexity of children’s needs is also an important factor.
Our Bolton foster carers also receive additional payments for childrens birthdays, holidays and religious festivals. Additionally, 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).
Hear From Our Foster Carers in Bolton
“We love encouraging the children to pursue their passions”
Alice and James, TACT foster carers from the North West since 2022. The couple share their story of how they become foster carers and their journey from fostering with their local Council to transferring to TACT
“DNA doesn’t make a family, love does”
Gemma and Jenilee, TACT foster carers since 2020, turned to fostering after unsuccessful fertility treatments, feeling destined to give love to children in care. Their first placement involved three siblings, where they provided stability, routine, and care. Seeing the children flourish has been their greatest reward.
“My proudest moments are when I encourage the children to try new things”
Karen’s proudest moments come from encouraging foster children to try new things and discover their talents. Watching their confidence grow, whether it’s winning chess tournaments or performing in assemblies, brings immense satisfaction and highlights the rewards of fostering.
Fostering Information Events
- February 7, 2025
- liverpool, North West,
- Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Liverpool Fostering Information Event
TACT North West are hosting a Fostering Information Session at Liverpool Careers Fair on Friday 7th February 2025 between 10am – 2pm.
- March 12, 2025
- Chester
- Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Chester Information Session
Join TACT North West for a Fostering Information Session at Chester Careers Fair on Wednesday 12th March between 10am – 2pm.
- September 23, 2025
- Manchester, North West,
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Manchester Fostering Information Event
TACT North West are hosting a Fostering Information Session at RCNI Manchester Nursing Careers & Jobs Fair on Tuesday 23rd September 2025 between 9.30am – 4pm.
Start Your Fostering Journey
