How many children need foster care in Yorkshire?

Yorkshire and the Humber has over 6,500 children looked after across its 15 local authorities, which includes children in foster care, kinship care, residential care and other placements. This makes it one of the regions with the greatest need for stable, nurturing foster homes in England.

Should I foster with the local authority or an independent agency?

Choosing to foster with a local authority or with an independent fostering agency depends on the kind of support, structure and matching approach you prefer. Yorkshire has 15 local authorities, each running their own fostering service. Fostering directly with your local council means you work wit...

How much do foster carers get paid in Yorkshire?

Foster carer payments in Yorkshire vary depending on the provider, the child's age and individual needs, and whether you are approved through a local authority or an IFA. All foster carers receive weekly allowances to cover the cost of caring for a child, including food, clothing, pocket money an...

What types of fostering are needed in Yorkshire?

Yorkshire needs foster carers across a range of fostering types because children come into care for many different reasons and at various ages. Local fostering recruitment across the region highlights the need for carers who can support infants, younger children and older children and teenagers, ...

Do I need to own my home to foster in Yorkshire?

No, you do not need to own your home to foster in Yorkshire. What matters is that you have a secure and stable home environment with a spare bedroom suitable for a child or young person. Fostering services across Yorkshire ask prospective carers to have adequate accommodation, including space for...

How do I find a foster care agency in Yorkshire?

To find a foster care agency in Yorkshire, start by using Ofsted's provider search, which lists registered fostering services and their inspection reports so you can compare quality and ratings. You can search by location and the category “Fostering” to see all agencies that work in y...

How many foster care agencies are there in Yorkshire?

There is no fixed published number of foster care agencies solely within Yorkshire, because fostering providers registered with Ofsted may operate across multiple local authority areas while still serving families in your part of the region. The most accurate way to determine how many agencies se...

What is there to do for kids in East Yorkshire?

East Yorkshire offers The Deep aquarium in Hull, William's Den adventure play, Bridlington beaches, Beverley Minster, and RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

What are the school ratings in East Yorkshire?

East Yorkshire has many Good and Outstanding schools, particularly in Beverley. The Virtual School team supports looked after children's education.

Are there many activities for children and teenagers in East Yorkshire?

Activities include Let Loose! Adventure Park, Rock Up climbing, watersports, youth clubs, and The Edge high ropes course in Bridlington.

What outdoor spaces and parks are available for families in East Yorkshire?

Yorkshire Wolds walking trails, sandy beaches, East Park in Hull, Burnby Hall Gardens, and Beverley Westwood common land.

Is East Yorkshire a good place for foster families?

East Yorkshire offers affordable housing, strong communities, Hull's cultural investment, and beautiful market towns with excellent fostering support.

Fostering in East Yorkshire | Foster Care Agency

Why Foster in East Yorkshire?

East Yorkshire offers a unique mix of city, coastal, and countryside living for fostering families. Hull's cultural scene, Beverley's historic charm, and Bridlington's seaside setting all provide wonderful environments for children.

Both local authority and independent fostering agencies are actively recruiting, offering full training, ongoing support, and competitive fostering allowances.

Hull has one of the highest rates of children in care in England

Coastal and rural placements across the East Riding

Both council and independent agencies actively recruiting

Full training, 24/7 support, and peer networks

Competitive weekly allowances and professional fees

Fostering Across East Yorkshire

Fostering in Hull

Hull is the largest city in East Yorkshire with around 260,000 residents and one of the highest rates of children in care in England. The city is home to The Deep aquarium, Hull's museums quarter, and a thriving cultural scene. Agencies urgently need foster carers across all areas of the city.

Foster agency in Hull →

Fostering in Beverley

Beverley is a beautiful historic market town with a stunning minster, excellent schools, and a thriving town centre. Foster carers in Beverley enjoy a safe, family-oriented community with easy access to Hull and the Yorkshire Wolds.

Fostering in Bridlington

Bridlington is a popular seaside resort with family-friendly beaches, a harbour, and attractions like Sewerby Hall and Gardens. Foster carers here provide homes where children can enjoy coastal living and a relaxed pace of life.

Fostering in Driffield

Driffield is known as the Capital of the Wolds, a market town in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds. Foster carers here provide a rural, community-focused upbringing with good schools and plenty of green spaces.

More Areas Across East Yorkshire

Goole

A port town in the south of the East Riding with affordable living and good transport links to Leeds, Doncaster, and Hull.

Pocklington

A small market town with excellent schools, a strong community, and easy access to York for wider services.

Hornsea

A coastal town known for its mere and beach. Foster carers provide a seaside lifestyle with a close community.

Withernsea

A small seaside town on the Holderness coast where foster carers are particularly valued due to high demand.

The Fostering Process

Becoming a foster carer is a rewarding journey. Here are the key steps from your first enquiry to welcoming a child into your home.

Initial Enquiry

Get in touch with a fostering agency. They will have an informal chat with you about fostering, answer your questions, and explain what happens next.

Home Visit

A social worker visits your home for an informal meeting. This is a chance to ask questions, discuss your motivation, and learn more about the types of fostering available.

Preparation Training

You will attend Skills to Foster training where you will learn about child development, attachment, managing behaviour, and what daily life as a foster carer looks like.

Form F Assessment

A thorough assessment of your suitability to foster. Your assessing social worker will meet with you regularly over several months to complete your Form F.

Panel Approval

Your assessment is presented to an independent fostering panel who will recommend whether you should be approved. The agency decision maker then confirms the recommendation.

Your First Placement

Once approved, your agency will match you with a child who suits your skills and family. You will be fully supported as you welcome them into your home.

Learn more about the fostering process →

Common Questions About East Yorkshire

East Yorkshire offers a wonderful mix of coastal, countryside, and city attractions for families. From Hull's award-winning museums to Bridlington's beaches and the Yorkshire Wolds, there is something for every age. Foster children placed here have access to experiences that build confidence, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories.

The Deep in Hull, one of the UK's most spectacular aquariums
William's Den adventure play and campsite near North Cave
Bridlington beaches with donkey rides, rock pooling, and Sewerby Hall
Beverley Minster and the historic market town for family walks
RSPB Bempton Cliffs with half a million seabirds between March and October

East Yorkshire has a strong education system with many Good and Outstanding schools. Beverley has particularly well-regarded schools, and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Virtual School team works closely with foster families to support every looked after child's education. Schools across the region are experienced in supporting children in care.

Beverley has several highly rated primary and secondary schools
Strong education standards across the East Riding
Dedicated Virtual School team supporting looked after children
Pupil Premium Plus funding for every looked after child
Hull schools showing continued improvement with targeted support

East Yorkshire has a growing range of activities for young people. From watersports and high ropes courses to escape rooms, trampolining, and youth clubs, there are opportunities across the region. Hull has a particularly strong offer with climbing centres, leisure facilities, and creative arts programmes.

Let Loose! Adventure Park near Beverley with high ropes and go-karts
Rock Up climbing centre and Jump Inc trampolining in Hull and Beverley
Watersports including paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing
Youth clubs and Young Farmers' Clubs across the East Riding
The Edge Aerial Adventure in Bridlington, Yorkshire's largest high ropes course

East Yorkshire is blessed with beautiful outdoor spaces. The Yorkshire Wolds offer rolling chalk hills perfect for walking and cycling, while the Holderness coast has quiet beaches ideal for families. Hull has excellent parks including East Park and Pearson Park, and Beverley has the beautiful Westwood common land.

Yorkshire Wolds Way walking trail through rolling countryside
Sandy beaches at Bridlington, Hornsea, and Withernsea
East Park in Hull with boating lake, splash pad, and adventure playground
Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington with the UK's largest collection of water lilies
Beverley Westwood, 600 acres of common land for family walks

East Yorkshire is an excellent place for foster families. The region offers some of the most affordable housing in England, a strong sense of community, and a mix of city and rural living. Hull's cultural renaissance has brought new investment and energy to the area, while Beverley and the market towns offer a quieter, family-oriented lifestyle.

Some of the most affordable housing in England
Hull's cultural investment bringing new energy and opportunities
Beautiful market towns with a safe, family-oriented lifestyle
Strong fostering support from both council and independent agencies
Good transport links connecting Hull, Beverley, and the wider region

Fostering in East Yorkshire