Change Lives. Start Your Fostering Journey Today.
Make a lasting difference for a child and for yourself. With AFA, you will get:
Full training and 24/7 support
Generous fostering allowances
Guidance from people who care
We are actively seeking new foster carers in Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
Proud to be an Ofsted Outstanding Provider
Start Your Enquiry Today
Fill in the form below to get more information and one of our fostering advisors will contact you for an informal chat. There’s no commitment, just friendly advice about fostering.
"Like a Big Family"
It’s lovely to have a family feeling with the whole team, so understanding, they listen, like a big family.
- Foster Parent
"Ofsted - Outstanding"
"Children are supported to build their identity. Carers offer non-judgemental and sensitive care that helps children to feel accepted."
- Ofsted Inspector
"Family Approach"
"All is great that the agency has maintained its small agency, family approach."
- Foster Parent
Foster with AFA — rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Full training, generous allowances, and expert support every step of the way.
Comprehensive Support for Every Step of Your Fostering Journey
When you join AFA, you are never alone:
✔️ 24/7 support line
✔️ Dedicated social worker
✔️ Specialist training
✔️ Foster carer community
✔️ Practical step by step guidance
✔️ Therapeutic resources
✔️ Generous financial allowances
AFA is here to empower you, every step of the way.
Generous and Transparent Allowances
We recognise the vital role you play. AFA offers weekly payments that cover:
✔️ Everyday needs such as food, clothing and pocket money
✔️ A reward element for your skills and dedication
Most carers also benefit from HMRC’s special fostering tax scheme, which means you often pay little or no income tax.
The Life-Changing Impact of Fostering
Fostering transforms lives for children and for you.
Give a child safety, stability and hope
Gain a deep sense of purpose and pride
Build lifelong connections and stronger family bonds
Every smile, every breakthrough and every step forward makes fostering one of the most rewarding journeys you can take.
Why Foster Parents Trust AFA
AFA Fostering was founded by social workers and is guided by values, not targets.
Our Outstanding Ofsted rating reflects our commitment to putting children and foster families first.
We are proud to support communities across East Anglia and the Midlands. Our personal approach ensures every family feels understood, valued and supported.
With AFA, you join a fostering community built on integrity, respect and genuine care.
"flexible and accessible support and advice"
"AFA are keen to support and advocate the rights and views of both children and foster parents. The agency runs well and has flexible and accessible support and advice."
- Foster Parent
"Ofsted - Outstanding"
"The service’s support is such that carers go ‘above and beyond’ in their role, and staff are described as kind, supportive, knowledgeable and going out of their way to help."
- Ofsted Report
"People Who Really Care"
"I never underestimate how fortunate we are as a family to be supported by such amazing people who really care."
- Foster Parent
Explore the Different Ways You Can Foster
Every fostering journey is unique, and with AFA Fostering you are never limited to just one path. You might offer short-term care, provide a long-term home, support a parent and child, or welcome siblings together at different stages of your journey. We work closely with you to find the right matches, giving you the flexibility to foster in a way that suits your family and makes the biggest difference to children’s lives.
Short-Term and Emergency Fostering
Short-term fostering provides a safe and supportive home for children while plans are made for their future. This can range from a few days to several months. Emergency fostering is similar but often happens at very short notice, giving vulnerable children immediate stability and care during a crisis.
Long-Term or Permanent Fostering
Some children are unable to return to their birth families and need a stable, loving home for the rest of their childhood. Long-term fostering gives them consistency and security while allowing you to form lasting, meaningful relationships. AFA works closely with you to ensure the right match for everyone involved.
Parent and Child Fostering
This specialist type of fostering supports parents who need guidance in caring for their own baby or young child. As a foster parent, you provide a safe home while helping the parent develop essential skills and confidence. It’s a highly rewarding role where you make a direct, positive impact on two lives at once.
Therapeutic Fostering
Some children have experienced significant trauma and require higher levels of care and understanding. Intensive fostering offers enhanced support, additional training, and regular clinical supervision from AFA’s Therapeutic Lead. Foster parents receive the tools they need to help children with complex emotional and behavioural needs thrive.
Stayover Fostering (Previously known as "Respite Fostering")
Stay over fostering provides a short break for children and their existing foster families. It can be anything from an overnight stay to a week or more. These breaks are essential for maintaining everyone’s wellbeing, giving children a change of scenery while allowing foster parents time to rest and recharge.
Sibling Group Fostering
Sibling fostering allows children to stay connected with their family and maintain strong emotional bonds during a challenging time. By caring for siblings together, you help provide stability, reduce disruption, and make the transition into fostering much smoother for the children.
FAQs
Answers to Your Questions About Fostering With AFA
Who can become a Foster Parent?
Almost anyone over the age of 21 can apply to foster. We welcome people from all walks of life, regardless of marital status, background, gender, sexuality, or whether you own or rent your home. What matters most is that you can offer a safe, stable, and caring environment for a child.
Do I need previous experience to foster?
No previous experience with children is required to become a Foster Parent. We provide full training and ongoing support to give you the skills and confidence you need at every stage of your journey.
How much support will I receive?
At AFA Fostering, you're never alone. You’ll have a dedicated Fostering Social Worker, access to 24/7 support, regular training opportunities, and a strong community of fellow foster parents to share experiences with and turn to for help.
I’m already a foster carer — can I transfer to AFA?
Absolutely! If you’re currently fostering with another agency or your local authority, you can transfer to AFA and join our supportive fostering community. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth transition for both you and the children in your care. Our experienced team will handle the paperwork, liaise with your current agency, and make sure you have the training, support, and resources you need to continue providing the best possible care.
Can I choose the age or type of child I foster?
Absolutely. During the application and matching process, we work closely with you to understand your preferences, skills, and circumstances, ensuring the best possible match for both you and the child in need.
How long does it take to become a Foster Parent?
Typically, the process takes around four to six months—from your initial enquiry through checks, training, home visits, and approval; allowing time to ensure you feel fully prepared and supported.
What training will I receive as a Foster Parent?
AFA provides comprehensive, ongoing training to give you the confidence and skills you need to provide the best possible care. From preparing to foster to specialist courses in areas like trauma-informed care and therapeutic approaches, you’ll have access to expert guidance at every stage of your journey.
In which locations is AFA looking to recruit Foster Parents?
AFA is actively recruiting Foster Parents across Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. In Norfolk, we cover areas such as Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Caister, North Walsham, Wymondham, Aylsham, Swaffham, Cromer, Kings Lynn, and Wisbech. In Northamptonshire, we work with families in Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Daventry, and Brixworth. Across Suffolk, we’re looking for Foster Parents in Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, and Diss. In Leicestershire, we cover Leicester, Melton Mowbray, and Market Harborough. And in Nottinghamshire, we support families around Nottingham, Newark, Draycott, and the surrounding towns and villages.
Why We Say Foster Parents
At AFA Fostering, we use the term Foster Parents instead of Foster Carers because we believe it’s more inclusive, positive, and less stigmatising. Following consultation, we chose language that better reflects the love, stability, and sense of belonging our families provide.
It reflects family-focused care
Highlighting connection and belonging, not just responsibility.
It reinforces parental roles
Our Foster Parents provide love, guidance, and stability, not just supervision.
It acknowledges professionalism and respect
Foster Parents are trained, supported, and treated as key partners in a child’s life.
Start Your Enquiry Today
Fill in the form below to get more information and one of our fostering advisors will contact you for an informal chat. There’s no commitment, just friendly advice about fostering.
