Fostering in The North East
Fostering in The North East
There’s an urgent need for compassionate foster carers in the North East of England – and your support can make all the difference.
Discover more about our dedicated team and take the first step by reaching out today.
Why foster with us?
As a charity – not a large agency – we focus on creating the right match between each foster carer and child, always putting the well-being of both at the heart of everything we do. For us, it’s about quality, not quantity.
Because of this commitment, we’re able to offer consistent support, guidance, and care to both our carers and the children they look after. You’re never alone on this journey – we’re here every step of the way.
At The CFT, our ethos is ‘family for life’. This reflects our unwavering dedication to every child in our care, no matter how long they stay with us. We continue to walk alongside them through the years – often well into adulthood – offering stability, connection, and a sense of belonging that lasts a lifetime.
Fostering is a career and should be treated as such. We believe our carers should benefit financially for everything they do.
- We pay our foster carers a very competitive rate for every child living in their home
- £750 bonus when approved as a carer. £750-£2,250 bonus when a child is placed.
- Any travel required regarding your role as a foster carer can be reclaimed in full
- Take advantage of significant tax relief
- Paid respite
- Long-service payments
- Child achievement payments
We deeply appreciate the dedication our foster carers put into creating a safe and nurturing environment for every child who enters their home. So we’re here to help.
- All carers are linked with a Supervising Social Worker – who provides supervision and support for carers and their families
- Supervising Social Workers visit our carers regularly to help and to talk through any problems.
- We have a 24/7 out-of-hours phone support service so you are always able to speak to a social worker when needed
- Become part of our friendly, local, supportive network, that meet regularly to share information and learn from each other
- Planned days out for fostering families
Our mission is to create a lasting, positive impact for the children and carers we support across the UK.
We provide our foster carers with the skills and resources needed to offer therapeutic care, helping them make a meaningful difference in a child’s life.
- Skills 2 Foster
- Therapeutic Reflection Consultations
- De-Esculation Training
- Diversity in Practice
- First Aid
- Loss and Bereavement Training
- Safeguarding & Child Protection Training
And many more optional courses…
If you’re considering becoming a foster carer, it’s important to understand the different types of fostering. Speak to us about your requirements and we can advise what is right for you.
- Short break
- Short-term
- Long-term
- Short notice
- Parent & Child
- Staying Put
Due to a significant shortage of foster carers in the UK, we’re opting to provide all new successful carers with up to £3,000 as a bonus.
We want to fund you, to find a future for them.
Many agencies only reimburse mileage after the first 20 miles of a trip, meaning you can’t claim expenses on shorter trips, like school drop-offs and similar journeys. We cover the full mileage of every journey you need to make for your foster child.
We’re a charity.
A charitable organisation has a single aim – to operate exclusively for the benefit of the public and not for profit.
A minimum of 85p in every £1 goes directly to improving our services to both our children and foster carers.
We regularly engage and conduct surveys for our carers and cared for children to understand how we can offer even more support. We prioritise listening to our CFT family because we believe in quality over quantity, and we’re committed to ensuring that everyone feels valued and fulfilled.
Who we are and the areas we support
Jacqui - Registered Manager
Chris - Practice Team Manager
Vicki - Senior Supervising Social Worker
Yasmine - Supervising Social Worker
Hannah - Administrator
Lucy - Supervising Social Worker
Klavdiya - Supervising Social Worker
Jonathan - Supervising Social Worker
Our Address:
South Church Enterprise Park
1 Henson Close
Bishop Auckland
DL14 6WA
Our Phone Number:
Durham
Hartlepool
Middlesbrough
Newcastle
We support foster families in various towns and cities within the North East. So, if you have any questions about your location – just reach out, we’ll be happy to support.
Make a Be the difference
Make a Be the difference
Now More Than Ever, We Need People Like You.
Across the UK, there is a growing shortage of foster carers – making it increasingly difficult for agencies and local authorities to find safe, loving homes for vulnerable children who need them most.
At The Children’s Family Trust, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow up in a nurturing environment – a place where they feel safe, supported, and free to dream big, explore their potential, and truly thrive.
There has never been a more important time to join us in our mission. With your support, we can continue to give every child the opportunity to experience the care and stability they deserve.
children are in foster care across England and Wales
children ceased to be looked after
of children looked after live with foster carers
Get to know The Children's Family Trust
Get to know The Children's Family Trust
We are an independent fostering charity with almost 80 years of experience.
We aim to achieve stability and security for our children and young people, helping them to develop their talents and skills, achieve their potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Are you ready to make a difference?
Are you ready to make a difference?
Are you considering foster care and have some questions for us? Perhaps you’re ready to start your fostering journey?
No matter your situation – contact our North East team via the form and our dedicated team will be able to support you. We look forward to hearing from you!