The Fostering Network helplines

Our advice lines will be open until Tuesday 24th December (12.30pm in Wales, 1.30pm in Northern Ireland, 4pm in Scotland and 5pm in England) and we will re-open on Tuesday 2nd January in Wales, Northern Ireland and England, and Wednesday 3rd January in Scotland.

Should you need them, the legal advice line and stress and support lines remain open 24 hours a day, every day. More information and contact details are available below.

For emergencies, please contact your fostering service or local authority who will have an out of hours provision in place.

The Fostering Network can provide information, guidance and support on all issues affecting foster carers and fostering services, in all four nations of the UK.

Get in touch with us

If you're new to The Fostering Network, or haven't asked us for advice before, please read about who we can help, how we can help, and how you can get the most out of your call (opens in a new window).

Find your helpline by choosing an option below:

I live in England
I live in Wales
I live in Scotland
I live in Northern Ireland
I'm facing an allegation
I'm looking for legal advice or representation
I'm looking for professional emotional support

England

Fosterline England

Fosterline England is run by The Fostering Network on behalf of the Department for Education. It's for anyone in England who is interested or involved in fostering - you don't have to be a member of The Fostering Network to contact us.
Call us on 0800 040 7675
Email us on enquiries@fosterline.info
We're open from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
We aim to respond to all enquiries as soon as possible and no later than the next working day.
If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we're closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name and telephone number. We will always return your call as soon as possible. You can also contact us through our website (opens in a new window).

Wales

Fosterline Wales

Call us on 0800 316 7664
Email us on fosterlinewales@fostering.net
We're open from 9.30am - 12.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we're closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name and telephone number. We will always return your call as soon as possible.
Fosterline Wales is funded by the Welsh Government. You can speak to someone in English or in Welsh.

Scotland

Fosterline Scotland

Call us on 0141 204 1400
Email us on fosterlinescotland@fostering.net
We are open from 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we're closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name and telephone number. We will always return your call as soon as possible.
Fosterline Scotland is funded by Scottish Government.

Northern Ireland

Fosterline Northern Ireland

Call us on 028 9164 1152
Email us on fosterlineni@fostering.net
We are open from 9.30am - 1.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we are closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name telephone number and postcode. We will always return your call as soon as possible.

I'm facing an allegation

If you are a foster carer and experience an allegation made against you, this can be very stressful. You might feel shocked, angry, frightened and alone. Our helplines are here for you. We can advise you on what happens next and make sure you access legal and expert advice. If you are a foster carer member of The Fostering Network who has been subject to an allegation, and our helplines are closed, you can call the Legal Advice Line. It is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

I'm looking for legal advice or representation

The Fostering Network helplines cannot give you legal advice. Instead, we can talk through issues with you in general terms, and signpost you to specialist organisations if you need more help. Foster carer members of The Fostering Network can access a 24-hour legal helpline for expert advice on allegations and help with any legal queries.

Access the legal helpline number here.
This service is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Please note that this service is not operated by The Fostering Network.

Not a member? Find out about becoming part of The Fostering Network.

I'm looking for professional emotional support

We're here to listen, understand and help you to move forward, but we can't provide counselling or ongoing emotional support. Members of The Fostering Network can access completely confidential professional emotional support when things get overwhelming. The service, operated by Care First, is staffed by trained counsellors offering emotional support, advice and information.

Access the Stress & Support line number here.
The service is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Please note that this service is not operated by The Fostering Network.