Fostering in
Gloucestershire & South Gloucestershire.
This guide includes Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud and communities farther south that sit above the M4. City and rural households bring different practical strengths. What matters is a safe home, dependable care and a workable plan for the child’s school, relationships and support.
Life, connections and care in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council have separate services. Our southern boundary is the M4, so this is not a claim of coverage across Bristol or all of South Gloucestershire. Homes near the boundary should be discussed by postcode.
Find your town or city
Start with the place closest to home. Each guide has local planning points, useful council links and questions to bring to a first conversation.
Live in a village or a place that is not listed? You can still ask us about your postcode. We do not need a separate page for every community.
What would fostering ask of you?
A safe, stable home is the beginning. A child also needs time, attention and an adult willing to learn about their experiences. Fostering involves working with other professionals, supporting agreed family relationships and making room for appointments as well as ordinary family life.
- Usually, a suitable bedroom of the child’s own.
- Availability that fits the child’s needs, including outside the school day.
- Willingness to take part in assessment, preparation and ongoing training.
- A household that is ready to talk honestly about the change.
Local information, in the right place
Official starting points for finding schools, family information and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) services. These are independent resources; a link does not imply a partnership with Fostering Hearts. The child’s placing authority may be different from your home council.
Curious?
That’s enough to start.
Ask us the question that’s been on your mind.
You don’t have to be ready to apply.