Fostering with Stockton on Tees Borough Council
In Stockton, we need all kinds of foster carers to support all kinds of children.
At Stockton‑on‑Tees Borough Council, we welcome people from every background to join our fostering community. You don't need specialist qualifications or experience, just the time, space and commitment to make a difference in a child's life.
To foster with us, you must:
- be aged 21 or over (no upper age limit)
- have a spare bedroom (or space for a cot if fostering a child under 2)
- have the time, stability and dedication to care for a child or young person
- short‑break care
- longer‑term fostering
- or something in between.
We work with you to find what's right for you and your family.
If you're ready to change the life of a child in Stockton‑on‑Tees, we're ready to guide you every step of the way. Our dedicated fostering team will support you from your initial enquiry, through assessment and approval, and throughout your fostering journey.
How we support our foster carers
We're committed to ensuring every foster carer feels informed, supported, valued and part of our team. Here's what you can expect when you foster with Stockton‑on‑Tees Borough Council:
Financial support
Our foster carers receive a weekly allowance based on the Government's national minimum rates. This allowance covers the everyday costs of caring for a child.
For the child/ren in your care, you will also receive a birthday, holiday and clothing allowance. Help is also available to cover mileage and travel costs.
In addition, we provide a weekly professional fee that recognises your skills, dedication and the needs of the child you care for. The amount depends on experience and the needs of the child.
To recognise loyalty, we offer an annual £500 appreciation payment, awarded following a positive annual review.
Foster carers in Stockton-on-Tees also enjoy, Tees Active membership, Blue Light Card and Max Card. These provide discounted leisure activities, days out, and savings at a wide range of high street shops and restaurants.
Your supervising social worker
Every foster carer is allocated a Supervising Social Worker (SSW) who provides ongoing practical and emotional support. Your SSW will:
- visit you regularly at home
- offer guidance tailored to your needs
- support you with training opportunities
- link you to additional services such as education and therapeutic support
- act as a professional, knowledgeable and reassuring point of contact
You're never left to manage things alone, your SSW is with you throughout your fostering journey.
24/7 Out of Hours Support
Support doesn't stop at 5pm. In Stockton-on-Tees we provide a daytime fostering duty service and a regional emergency duty team available outside office hours.
Whenever you need advice or reassurance, someone is always available to help.
Family events and social activities
We want our foster carers and everyone in their household to feel connected and supported.
That's why we offer a full calendar of activities throughout the year, including:
- an annual summer foster family party
- Christmas celebrations - previous events include pantomimes and a morning at the movies
- regular coffee mornings
- special events three times a year for the birth children of foster carers - recent activities include bowling, Ninja Warrior sessions and pumpkin painting.
- An annual awards ceremony dedicated to recognising the achievements of our foster carers and their special milestones
Training and workshops
We provide a comprehensive training programme designed to help you feel confident and equipped. Our offer includes mandatory training such as first aid awareness, safer care, record‑keeping, and optional workshops tailored to your development and the needs of the children you care for.
In addition to our training calendar, we also host an annual Foster Carer Conference at our Stockton headquarters, which brings together carers for a day with an inspirational keynote speaker, practical hands-on workshops and opportunity to collect, learn and share experiences with other foster carers. The conference is an important part of our commitment to continuous learning, ensuring our carers feel confident, informed and part of a wider fostering community.
Training is delivered regularly throughout the year, both online and in person at venues around Stockton-on-Tees, with sessions scheduled in term‑time and early evenings to fit around family life and work commitments, where possible.
Mockingbird
We are incredibly proud to be able to offer Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council foster carers the opportunity to be part of the global, award-winning Mockingbird fostering programme. This is a supportive community that includes up to 10 other foster families. It is known as a Mockingbird constellation, which is supported by an experienced hub home.
Being part of a Mockingbird group replicates a support network like that of an extended family. Foster carers benefit from emotional and practical support - much like that a non-fostering family might receive from friends and relatives.
What Stockton foster carers say about fostering with us
I recently reached my one-year milestone as a foster carer and, looking back, it has been an incredible journey and a rollercoaster of a ride. Within a few weeks of being approved I was looking after an 11-month-old baby, before his sister joined us two months later. Having two siblings under 2 has brought a whole lot of love (and a little bit of chaos!) into our household, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
My 13-year-old daughter has been supported beautifully throughout the journey too, and she's really enjoying her new role of foster sister, it's brought out a caring, confident side of her that makes me so proud.
I've felt included and guided every step of the way, from the initial enquiry with Foster with North East, throughout the assessment, the training and ongoing visits from my supervising social worker to the family activities the local authority puts on for us all to enjoy.
Knowing we're not doing this alone, and that we're all supported as a family, has made this experience incredibly rewarding and I am so pleased that I made that first call.
Katie, Stockton-on-Tees Council foster carer who applied through Foster with North East.
