Please see our fostering requirements below

A spare room is an essential requirement to foster. We believe that children who are fostered must have their own bedroom, as we think it is important that they have a safe space they can call their own. If you don’t have a spare room and you wish to support children in care, please contact us and we will provide you with details of other volunteering options that might be suitable for you.

 

You can foster if you are aged 21 or over – there is no upper age limit. Each application is considered individually.

 

You can foster if you have care experience, either as a parent or in a voluntary or professional capacity. Our team can suggest organisations across Hampshire if you need to gain more experience.

 

Our foster carers each have very different backgrounds. Not all our foster carers are parents and we welcome applicants who do not have children of their own.

Lots of our foster carers have their own children or may be step-parents to children from a new relationship, and many looked after children really benefit from being in a family environment. All members of your household will be considered during the assessment and we will need to consider the wishes and feelings of your child/children and ensure it is right for them too. We will always carefully consider your children when looking at which children to place in your home.

 

Your marital status and sexuality does not determine your suitability to foster. We welcome all applicants and have a large number of single foster carers and LGBTQ+ foster carers in Hampshire.

 

You can foster is you work full-time and many of our foster carers who work full-time offer respite care at weekends. Fostering is a big commitment and we do ask that you have the flexibility to support a child or young person.

 

Fostering can be stressful and demanding and we wouldn't want you to take on any tasks that may put your health at risk. As long as you can perform key fostering activities, such as the school run or paediatric first aid (which we’ll provide training for), then we will consider your application. If you receive a Disability Living Allowance, becoming a foster carer will not affect these benefits.

 

If you smoke cigarettes/e-cigarettes/vapour cigarettes you will not be able to foster children under the age of five, or a child of any age with any health conditions or disabilities. You will also be expected to smoke outside and away from children. If you are trying to give up smoking, we need to see evidence that you have given up for at least six months before we begin an assessment. Please see your GP for advice and guidance about giving up smoking.

 

We will look at your financial situation during the assessment process as we must be certain that your household is a stable environment and that you can meet any rent or mortgage payments.

 

If you, or a member of your household, has had a criminal record it will not necessarily stop you from fostering. It depends on what the conviction was for and when the offence was committed, so please discuss this with us. We undertake a check with the Police (known as a Disclosure and Barring Service check) with all our applicants and all criminal records and cautions will be disclosed.

 

The Hampshire Hive

You won’t be on your own when you foster.

There are so many other fostering families in Hampshire, just like you, who depend on each other. The Hampshire Hive consists of a small number of fostering families who support one another in their local area, with one foster carer known as the Hive Carer Support Worker acting as the heart of the hive.

The Hive will become a support bubble for the foster families and the children they care for. Over time families within the Hive will develop close relationships, like friends and family. The Hive families will identify any potential challenges and offer support to foster carers in their Hive to ensure the child/ren they care for remain in a stable home.

You can read our latest Hampshire Hive blog here.

For more information about the Hampshire Hive please download our Hive leaflet.

Hampshire Hives are open to new and current foster carers. If you are applying to become a foster carer, you will be supported by your assessing social worker in applying to join a hive during your prospective foster carer assessment stage two. If you are a current foster carer, please speak to your Supervising Social Worker.

If you are interested in learning more about the Hampshire Hive, please contact [email protected]

A girl smiling in an outdoor setting

As a member of a Hive Family, you will have access to:

  • Regular support group meetings for Hive Families
  • One-to-one support
  • Family events

Meet your local Hive Care Support Worker

There are currently twenty three Hives across Hampshire each led by a Hive Care Support Worker:
lisa

Lisa

Gosport

My name is Lisa and I am the Hive Carer Support Worker for the Gosport Hive.

Myself and my wife Charley started our fostering journey in 2014 and have a range of experience in caring for children of all ages both long term and short term. We have also recently started our journey offering mother and baby placements.

When we began fostering, I think we were very lucky to fall into a support network of local, experienced foster carers who took us under their wing and showed us the ropes. I do not feel that this is always the case for many of our carers and I believe that the Hampshire Hive project will help bridge the gap by providing a more structured approach to the support being provided to each family.

ben

Ben

Basingstoke 1 & 2

I am the Hive Carer Support Worker for Basingstoke 1 & 2 Hives

I have been fostering for 7 years and my experience is mainly of looking after teenagers in both long- and short-term placements.

Between placements we lend our support to the out of hours resource. Out of work I can be found in Church or involved in projects led by my Church. I believe that every child deserves a safe place to call home

cloe

Cloe

Waterlooville 2 and Southampton 2

Hello, my name is Cloe and I am a Hive Carer Support Worker for Waterlooville 2 and Southampton 2.

I enjoy keeping fit, swimming, entertaining/socialising, gardening, listening to music, and learning new things.

I have been a foster carer since 2016 and have welcomed many children/young people into our home from a sibling group of 5 to one individual, from 0-18 years old.

I have gained confidence and experience by attending many training courses, applying, and adapting my learning to our day-to-day life, sharing experiences, and supporting other foster carers along the way.

Our lives have been enriched by it all and we are extremely passionate in supporting children/young people to be happy, settled, loved, and achieve what they aspire to be. It is rewarding to see how children/young people can grow and develop when in the right nurturing environment. I am passionate about what I do and believe that all children/young people deserve to be happy, healthy, have a good education and succeed.

johnny

Johnny

Waterlooville and Havant & Haying Island 2

Hi my name is Johnny and I am a Hive Carer Support Worker for Waterlooville. I live with my wife Della and two wonderful foster placements. Della and I started our fostering journey in 2006. Our journey began with an IFA doing remand and prevention of offending placements. These were 12 week placements often very successful. In 2012 we moved over to Hampshire offering long term placements to teenagers. We have had lots of very successful placements since joining Hampshire’s fostering team and have enjoyed being part of their team. We have done many different types of placements since joining Hampshire. We have done; emergency placements, Out of Hours, unaccompanied asylum seekers, respite, long term and short term. We have also done a Stay Put placement. We have supported newly approved foster carers and helped one achieve a qualification in children’s services work force. I support with training; Skills to foster and Stage Two and I also support the recruitment team too. We make buddy calls to potential foster carers so that they can get a better idea of what fostering involves and how it can impact on their family. We have supported children and young people with mental health concerns too.

We have found foster care a very rewarding experience as does our family. Foster care has inspired our granddaughter to want to become a social worker. She says that this is due to witnessing the difference the care system can make for children and young people.

estelle

Estelle

Andover

Hi, I am Estelle and I am the Hive Carer Support Worker. I live in rural Hampshire, with my husband.

We have been foster carers for 16 years and have two young people in long term placement with us.

Our foster care experience has covered connected caring, caring for a child with Moderate Learning Difficulties into adulthood (under Staying Put) and caring for BAME children from a Muslim background. We are advocates of Therapeutic Parenting. As parents we have three adult daughters, including twins.

I have worked as a teacher in primary education for twenty- five years but gave it up in 2016 to become a full- time foster carer and now I am also the Hive Carer Support Worker for our Hive.

Our young people are massively into football and we spend a lot of time supporting them in this, taking them to training and matches. Sport is a great outlet for their energy and has given them opportunities to be part of a team and develop self-confidence and self- discipline.

We are great animal lovers and encourage our young people to get involved in caring for them and enjoying them with us. We have a pony, some sheep, two dogs and a few chickens

Lynda

Eastleigh 1 & 2

My name is Lynda and I am the Hive Carer Support Worker for Eastleigh 1 & 2

I have been fostering for ten years along with my husband. We have been lucky enough to experience all ages of children, young people and parent and baby come into our care.

I am very passionate about fostering, supporting other foster carers where I can and making the children feel at home when they come to us.

denise

Denise

Totton and Waterside 1 & 2

My name is Denise Brown, and I am proud to be the Hive Carer Support Worker for Totton and Waterside 1 & 2

I am also a foster carer for Hampshire County Council along with my husband Chris. We are approved for three children 0-18 years and a mum and baby

We have been fostering for five years and really enjoy it. We find fostering challenging at times but also very rewarding. We have helped with many types of fostering over the years - long term, short term, respite, mother and baby, bridging and emergency placements and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

I have always been very passionate about fostering and have always gone the extra mile to help out by buddying and training new carers, promoting fostering and assisting recruitment too.

It just seemed so natural for me to apply for the role of HIVE Carer Support Worker as I was already part of a HIVE and benefitted greatly from the support and friendship I gained from it.

I love that I have a job where I can understand and help fellow foster carers, their families and placements with something that I am so passionate about.

ali

Allison

Southampton

I am Allison and I am the Hive Carer Support Worker for Southampton.

I am a Level 3 carer with over 13 years’ experience in fostering and have had 64 young people to date, mainly teenagers and Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers.

I am passionate about the hive due to the wide variety of support it offers. Whether it is training either by way of delivering to the group or by 1-2-1 support/training, day care and even overnight stays for the young people/kids we care for or fun days out bonding as a group having regular coffee and a catch up at times that work for you. The Hive group is like many of our own families; lots of aunts/uncle and cousins’ type of bond. We form this small group where we can lean on one another and support each other, just like families do. You will be part of a group of carers, there for each other.

sian

Caroline

Ringwood/Verwood

My Name is Caroline and I live in Verwood which is in Dorset, just across the Hampshire border.

We have been a fostering family for Hampshire for nearly 10 years. We have a teenage daughter and a boxer dog called Coco.

I have worked with babies, children and young people for my entire career over many settings, including; Care, Education and Health.

I have been a member of the Ringwood & Verwood Hive for several years and I am excited to be taking it over and supporting all my wonderful carers who care for our children and young people.

I run weekly coffee, cake and chatter groups, and I am planning on starting a monthly evening drop in virtual session for carers who are working during the day or can’t attend the groups.

I am really looking forward to holding lots of events for everyone in my Hive including a ‘schools out for summer party’

Over the last 10 years we have looked after lots of babies, toddlers and children. In the last couple of years, we have started looking after teenagers as this works well with our teenage daughter. We currently have one teenager in placement and are hoping to have another one or two soon.

Becki

Becki

Winchester and Eastleigh 2

My name is Becki (Rebecca) and I run Winchester and Eastleigh 2 Hive. My husband Paul and I have been foster carers for nearly 20 years, working for an independent fostering agency first and then as Hampshire County carers for the past 9 years. We have cared for a wide range of children and young people, including young people with disabilities, emergency placements, out of hours and respite.

Our Hive in Winchester will be a fantastic opportunity to meet other families, connected carers and foster carer families. It will offer support and friendship so that we can all share the good times and support each other in the tougher times too. There will always be someone to talk to too, even if it is just for a chat or a coffee. There will be specific training available, planned around your needs and requirements.

leanne

Leanne

Havant and Hayling Island

I am a connected carer and I have been fostering alongside my husband Jim since 2017, we are caring for three children on a long-term basis. We also have a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) for our grandson. We felt that life had thrown us a bit of a curve ball and it was a position that we didn’t expect to be in, but it is a role that we have embraced and can honestly say we love. I’m a great believer in therapeutic parenting because although our children our connected they have still been affected by trauma. Seeing the children become successful, feeling loved and happy is the most important thing for us.

I try to play golf with my husband, although it is one of the most frustrating of sports, I’m not giving up, just yet. I took up Golf so my husband and I could do something together, just me and him.... it's our connection and gives us a chance to be just us. I also love walking, cooking and gardening.

Before becoming a Hive Carer Support Worker, I was a member of a hive. What I liked about being in a hive is being part of a group of people who are in a similar situation, being able to offer support when needed. All members have something to offer in terms of our own experiences regardless of how long we have been on this journey. I am most looking forward to getting everyone together for a bit of fun and making sure that no carer feels alone.

pauline

Pauline

Petersfield, Alton and Bordon

I started fostering as a Friends and Family carer for a friend of my two youngest sons Twenty Five years ago. I was approved as a specific carer for him. When he moved on I then became a fully approved carer. I worked for an Independent Fostering Agency for Ten years. I then moved to Hampshire Local Authority Thirteen years ago.

I am a mum of five. Eldest is now 49 and youngest 36. I have eight wonderful grandchildren seven boys, one girl. I am a single foster carer, and I normally look after teenagers.

I like to travel when I can and have visited some wonderful places. I love music and love to sing....much to everyone’s dismay!

Being part of a Hive has opened up our support network so much. Being able to have so much experience and support at your fingertips is amazing! And knowing that someone will help or have a solution to your needs so quickly is so valuable. I think the introduction of the Hives is possibly for carers one of the best things to come our way in a long time.

heidi

Heidi

Fareham 2 and Alton, Borden and Petersfield 2

I originally started fostering for an agency and transferred to Hampshire 7 years ago, the children that have shared our home have been vast in ages from baby to young adults , I’ve experienced moving children on to all avenues.

Prior to fostering I worked in the NHS for 12 years in the maxillofacial department.

I have 3 children, 2 are now adults and our last little fledgling is 12

I love cats all cats it doesn’t matter if there the cutest fluffiest kitten or a stray cat that’s mucky, old and seen better days ,I would happily give them all a home, but my husband has drawn the line at 4 .

I enjoy the garden and will spend hours caring for it during the spring and summer, I’m not so enthusiastic in the winter though

Fostering for me is a journey that I often describe as a roller coaster ride sometimes you can just enjoy the moments , you never really what’s round the corner ,when you reach the bumpy bits you have to just hold on really tight and work through ,and most of the time it’s FUN !! that’s why after ten years were still going strong .

Before becoming a hive carer support worker I was myself part of a hive .For me it was great to be able to get together and discuss all things fostering and share things about what was going well with our young people and at times what isn’t going so well with other foster carers that could really empathise with my experiences and when appropriate offer advice and ideas .

The hive was also a great place to keep updated with all things related to fostering and I would regularly here about events , training and changes that were being made.

amy

Sarah

Fareham

I have been a foster carer for 9 years and started fostering when I lived in Staffordshire.

I live in Denmead with my partner Emily and my cat Crinkle, and I also work for the NHS in mental health and unexpected deaths.

My hobbies include Swimming, reading, musicals and splashing in muddy puddles!

I like being part of a Hive for the friendship and support, people who really understand the life of being a foster child and a foster carer.

shelley

Shelley

Aldershot & Farnborough

Hi, I am Shelley, I live in Andover and have done for 8 years now. I have lived in different areas of Hampshire over the years, before moving into my own home. At present I have two foster babies who have been with me for a while now, and they are growing very quickly! I also have regular monthly respite children who I often see at hive events too. I have been fostering for a few years now and loved everything I have learnt and experienced.

Before becoming a foster carer, I was a primary school teacher for ten years and part of these were working in a school for children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

I have been extremely lucky to be part of two hives as the hive link carer for Andover and Basingstoke. I have meet lots of different children who I often see, or they come and stay, as well as helping to support other foster families around me. Being part of a hive feels like an extended family who are all there to help and support where we can.

jo

Jo

Aldershot & Farnborough 2

We have been fostering since 2015, my husband and I have four of our own children and we have welcomed many different children over our fostering journey. We have had long and short term placements, emergency, respite, emergency and out of hours and have completed several adoptions. I have always been passionate about supporting children and have been working in this sector for over 23 years having managed and owned a nursery school. We have a therapeutic approach to parenting and thrive on providing the support and love which these children and young people deserve.

Through our fostering journey we have gained lots of experience through fostering and the training Hampshire provides. We love the day to day and watching the children develop and flourish, being there for children when they need us the most is the most rewarding role.

michelle

Michelle (Mich)

Gosport 2

I’m a very family centred person who loves caring and providing for everyone I love; humans and animals alike! As well as looking after my foster children I have 4 dogs, a tortoise and an aquarium full of fish plus three adult children and a husband too.

We have been fostering since 2012 and offered placements to many children over the years. We have looked after lots of sibling groups and teenagers, some parent and child placements. We’ve moved children onto adoption and independence and are lucky enough to still be in touch with many of them now. We love a busy household and we really enjoyed being Hive Link Carers last year supporting the Gosport Hive with sleepovers and respite.

caroline

Caroline

Portsmouth, Alton, Borden and Petersfield 2

I’m Caroline and I’m in my 9th year of fostering and during those 9 years I’ve welcomed many young people into my home - mostly teenagers. I’ve met some great young people along the way who have, in their own way, all contributed to my fostering journey.

I love nothing more than spending time with my family, seeing my little Grandson is just the best thing, meeting up with friends is amazing too.

When I can, I love to travel -a city break, a spot of camping and I’m pretty partial to a music festival as well.

For me, support for Foster Carers is vital, it may take the form of a quick chat over a cuppa or, something more substantial like organising some fun activities for young people to take part in, whatever that support looks like, I’m looking forward to being a part of The Portsmouth

anthony

Anthony

Totton & Waterside 2

I live in Totton with my wife, Lynda & our cat, Macavity. I retired in 2021 after 40 years of service & I now enjoy offering respite care for our local foster carers.

I play & I am on the committee of the Winchester & District Table Tennis League. I’m also a keen football fan & have a season ticket at St Marys watching the Saints. As a James Bond fanatic I enjoy attending national toy fairs to add to my collection of Corgi Aston Martins.

I feel very lucky that I’ve got an opportunity to make a difference by sharing my life & fostering experiences with our local carers. The hive provides a wonderful chance to build new relationships & provide positive experiences for all the children.

david

David

South West New Forest

Hello. My name is David Hill. My family and I have been Fostering since June 2018 and have had a wide range of ages stay with us both short and long term. I have always enjoyed being a parent to my now grown up and adult children, so it was a very natural thing to continue that for other children in need of a home. I love being around and supporting children’s needs and as a result seeing them flourish. It made sense that when a job opportunity came my way for a Hive Carer Support Worker, that I apply and pass my experience and support onto other Foster Carers.

I have been part of a local Hive for about a year and have had direct benefit from it gaining further knowledge from other experienced carers in that Hive. Getting to know someone in that Hive helped when we as a family were experiencing challenging behaviour from a child in our care. Just to be able to make a phone call to a person I knew and trusted made all the difference and reassured me that we were taking the correct actions.

We are also a local Scouting family where at some point or another we have all been Leaders! I am a keen outdoor person, loving our garden, walking our dogs and being at our local beach.

My hobbies include photography, gardening, cooking, cricket and eating out with family and friends.

Graham

Graham

Aldershot and Farnborough 3

My name is Graham Batchelor and i am the Hive Carer Support Worker for Aldershot and Hampshire 3.

I live in Farnborough and I am a Dad to three adult children and currently have five amazing grandchildren.

I have been fostering since 2003 and have a range of experience caring for children of all ages. After a short break I returned to fostering as a single carer and now have three teenagers in a long-term placement. Over the past few years, I have supported with emergency placement and regular respite care for children aged between 5-18 years old.

One of the attractions to rejoining Hampshire Fostering was becoming a member of a Hive. The hives family has been a massive support to me over the past few years and I have met lots of foster families through attending support groups and events. This is a great way for children to meet other foster families and get involved in the fun activities. Since joining the Hive a had the pleasure of being a buddy to two new foster families and now having this role enables me to support and share experience even further.

Claire B

Clare

Dorset

Hello! I live on a small holding in a quiet Dorset village with my 4 long-term fostered teenagers, 2 dogs, 2 cats, chickens, ducks, a goose, and a pony.

I started fostering in 2003, initially with an IFA, then moved to Hampshire County Council. Over the years, I’ve cared for over 100 children, from day care to long-term placements. I love working with diverse backgrounds, including children seeking refuge, parent and child placements, and those with disabilities.

When I began fostering, my 3 birth children were at home. We’ve grown as a family, with each child bringing their unique story into our lives. I also trained as an integrative counselling therapist, which helps in my fostering role. I cover the Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole areas. Joining a Hive community has been beneficial, offering support and diversity.

We are an active family, enjoying the beach and village community events. We love holidays, weekend meetups with friends and family, and my grandchildren enjoy visiting Nana’s farm to pet the animals.