Surrey County Council Fostering Service

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Surrey County Council Fostering Service Welcome to Surrey Fostering! We recruit and support carers to change young lives.

Please think before commenting — care‑experienced children, young people and adults may read what is said here 💖

Special Guardians come from all walks of life.Most people don't become Special Guardians because they planned to. They d...
22/10/2026

Special Guardians come from all walks of life.

Most people don't become Special Guardians because they planned to. They do it because a child they love needs safety, stability and consistency. Many step forward during difficult family circumstances and make significant personal, practical and financial sacrifices to keep children within their family network.

What matters most is being able to provide a stable and nurturing home for a child.

Across Surrey and the UK, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, family friends and other carers continue to step up every day to give children a sense of belonging and permanence.

That commitment is something worth celebrating.

Great to see fostering being discussed on BBC London, with Surrey foster carer Ben sharing his experience and helping ch...
22/10/2026

Great to see fostering being discussed on BBC London, with Surrey foster carer Ben sharing his experience and helping challenge some of the assumptions that stop people from taking the first step.

One of the most important messages from the interview was that being LGBTQ+ doesn't stop you from fostering. Children need caring, stable adults from all kinds of backgrounds, experiences and family structures.

Too often people think, "I'm single," "I'm LGBT+," "I don't have children," or "I don't fit the typical picture of a foster carer." The reality is that there is no single type of foster carer.

Watch Ben on BBC London: https://orlo.uk/uo2hS

What matters is being able to offer a child a safe, supportive home and a trusted adult who believes in them.

If you've ever dismissed the idea of fostering because you thought it wasn't for someone like you, it may be worth having a conversation and finding out more.

📞 We know from experience that some of our most incredible foster carers are people who once thought they wouldn't be eligible.

Thank you to the Epsom & Ewell Times for highlighting the need for more foster carers across Surrey and sharing some of ...
21/10/2026

Thank you to the Epsom & Ewell Times for highlighting the need for more foster carers across Surrey and sharing some of the stories behind fostering.

The article explores a question we hear often: "Could someone like me foster?"

From a foster carer who began with respite care and ended up supporting a young person into adulthood, to families welcoming young people seeking safety in the UK, the story highlights a simple truth: there is no such thing as a typical foster carer.

What children need most isn't perfection. It's stability, encouragement, patience and someone who believes in them.

With more Surrey children needing foster homes, every new fostering household helps more young people stay closer to their schools, friends, interests and local communities.

📰 Read the article in the Epsom & Ewell Times: https://orlo.uk/UtnSb

💭 What if you are exactly what a Surrey child needs?

📞 Find out more about fostering in Surrey.

Children's needs don't stand still, and neither do family circumstances.A support plan agreed when a child first comes t...
21/10/2026

Children's needs don't stand still, and neither do family circumstances.

A support plan agreed when a child first comes to live with you may not fully reflect the challenges or opportunities that arise a few years later. Education, health, emotional wellbeing and family relationships can all change over time.

In Surrey, we're keen for Special Guardians to know that support conversations don't have to end once an order is granted. If your circumstances have changed, there may be value in discussing your situation and whether further support or advice could help.

Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing that it's okay to ask.

Thank you to Farnham Today for shining a light on some of the myths that stop people exploring fostering and sharing the...
21/10/2026

Thank you to Farnham Today for shining a light on some of the myths that stop people exploring fostering and sharing the stories of Surrey foster carers Ben and Cindy.

One thing that stood out in the article was just how many people assume they wouldn't be eligible to foster when, in reality, you can often foster if you're:

✅ Single
✅ Renting your home
✅ Working
✅ Neurodivergent
✅ Without children of your own
✅ A homeowner or tenant
✅ Over 21

As Cindy explains, your differences can be your strengths. As Ben's story shows, what starts as a small step, such as respite care, can grow into a lifelong relationship.

The article asks an important question: how many people are ruling themselves out before they've even had a conversation?

If you've ever thought fostering wasn't for someone like you, it might be worth taking a second look.

📰 Read the full article in Farnham Today: https://orlo.uk/jDV4c

💙 What if you are exactly what a Surrey child needs?

📞 Get in touch with Surrey Fostering Service to find out more.

Many people think that once a Special Guardianship Order is granted, they are expected to manage everything alone.The re...
20/10/2026

Many people think that once a Special Guardianship Order is granted, they are expected to manage everything alone.

The reality is more complicated.

Depending on your circumstances and the child's history, support may still be available. This can include advice, support assessments, training, peer support, therapeutic services and signposting to specialist organisations. The level of support available often depends on the child's circumstances before the order was made and which local authority was involved.

In Surrey, we know many Special Guardians take on this role unexpectedly, often to keep a child connected to their family, school and community. If your circumstances have changed or you're unsure what support may be available, it's always worth asking.

Because no one should have to navigate this journey alone.

A new campaign is encouraging more people across Surrey to consider fostering, reminding us that it's often the everyday...
19/10/2026

A new campaign is encouraging more people across Surrey to consider fostering, reminding us that it's often the everyday moments that make the biggest difference to a child's life.

Read more: https://orlo.uk/71mR9

Helping with homework. Sharing a meal. Being there after a difficult day. These simple acts of care help children feel safe, supported and part of a family.

The need for foster carers remains significant. In Surrey, the number of fostering households has fallen from 398 in 2021 to 331 in 2024, while misconceptions continue to stop people from exploring fostering. Many people wrongly believe they need to own their home, be married or have previous childcare experience before they can foster.

As Surrey foster carer Ben puts it:

"Fostering isn't about being perfect or having all the answers. It's about providing stability, encouragement and someone who believes in a child when they need it most." 💙

If you've ever thought, "I'd love to foster, but...", don't rule yourself out before finding out more.

📣
Are you a Surrey journalist, radio producer, podcaster, blogger or content creator looking to speak to a local foster carer? We can connect you with foster carers, care-experienced young people and fostering ambassadors who can share their experiences and help tell the story of fostering in Surrey. Get in touch via direct message.

A home is more than four walls and a roof.It's knowing someone will ask how your day was.It's having your favourite cere...
19/10/2026

A home is more than four walls and a roof.

It's knowing someone will ask how your day was.

It's having your favourite cereal in the cupboard.

It's feeling safe enough to relax and be yourself.

For children in care, home isn't defined by biology. It's built through trust, consistency and connection.

And it grows one moment at a time.

For ADHD Awareness Month, Surrey foster carer, Retention Ambassador and Fostering Buddy Cindy is sharing an important me...
18/10/2026

For ADHD Awareness Month, Surrey foster carer, Retention Ambassador and Fostering Buddy Cindy is sharing an important message.

Drawing on her own experience of ADHD, dyslexia and growing up in care, Cindy explains how thinking differently has helped her connect with young people, see beyond behaviour and recognise strengths that others might miss.

From practical strategies for staying organised to the empathy and insight that come from lived experience, Cindy's story is a reminder that foster carers don't need to be perfect. Children need adults who care, keep showing up and believe in their potential.

As Cindy says: "Your different way of thinking might be exactly what a young person needs." 💙

Read Cindy's inspiring story and discover how Surrey supports foster carers from all walks of life.

👉 https://orlo.uk/XaRBz

A BBC News story has highlighted something we hear all the time: many people dismiss the idea of fostering before they f...
17/10/2026

A BBC News story has highlighted something we hear all the time: many people dismiss the idea of fostering before they find out what's actually involved.

Foster carers Amy and James shared how they started with short-break care before becoming long-term foster carers to two teenagers. Their message is simple: don't assume fostering isn't for you.

"If you think about it too much, you convince yourself you can't do it. That's why a lot of people talk themselves out of fostering."

They also spoke about the reality that fostering can look very different for different people. From occasional short-break support to long-term care, there are many ways to make a difference.

One of our favourite quotes from the article was:

"When you realise you've become their safe space, it's incredible." 💙

If you've ever wondered whether fostering could fit into your life, don't rule yourself out. Start with a conversation and explore what's possible.

👉 Read the BBC article: https://orlo.uk/2JliR

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Reigate

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+448000969626

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