What is fostering?
Fostering can mean taking in and caring for a child or a young person for a couple of nights, several months, or many years. See the different kinds of fostering.
They can be newborn babies or up to 18 years.
The children and young people
Fostered children and young people can't live at home because their parents might be ill, have a drug or alcohol problem, or going through a particularly difficult time.
Many will return to their families. Or they may need long-term fostering, or a permanent new family through adoption.
Most children keep regular contact with their families, especially if the plan is for them to return home. And their parents still have some responsibilities for them.
They will usually get together away from your home: in a local children's centre for example.
See what young people say about being fostered.
Your role as a foster carer
Manchester foster carer Rhonda explains what fostering means for her and her family.
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See other foster carers' real life stories.