Manchester City Council is foster friendly, supporting foster carers at work. When you apply to foster with us, you'll get support from our team and the regional fostering hub, backed by the Department for Education. Together, we'll help you become a successful foster carer.
Support for carers
When you foster with us, you join our fostering community. There are many foster carers in and around the city, so you'll always have support.
Sandra's story
"The support from the fostering team and my social worker is amazing. They always get back to me quickly. I feel part of a wider team of carers who provide support and advice. Regular support groups are held. It's a rewarding job." — Sandra Dorney
Our support
We know you need help to succeed. We provide:
- An expert social worker to guide you.
- Regular home visits and support.
- Training to help you grow and earn more.
- Meet-ups with other foster carers and groups for your kids.
- 24-hour phone support.
- Advice from FosterTalk, a leading support provider.
- Support for LGBTQ+ carers from new family social.
- Mockingbird extended family model – we organise carers into local groups, pairing experienced households with newer carers. This helps you settle in and do your best for the children – to find out more, visit our fostering Mockingbird page.
- Manchester hives – we have developed a new model of support in Manchester, built on the ideas of the Mockingbird model, but on a larger scale. The hives aim to build meaningful and local connections for our foster carers, they are designed and led by our own foster carers – visit our hive information pages for more information and to sign up to a hive if you are an approved foster carer.
Make a difference
By fostering, you'll help children feel safe and loved. See what young people say about fostering.
See more stories and personal experiences from our foster carers