Fostering in Birmingham

Help shape a child’s future in the heart of the West Midlands

Birmingham is one of the most diverse, vibrant and dynamic cities in the UK — but it’s also a place where many children need safe, nurturing homes. At Wholistic Fostering, we’re proud to support new and experienced foster carers across Birmingham who can offer care rooted in cultural understanding, stability and belonging.

Whether you live in Aston, Erdington, Handsworth, Edgbaston or beyond — if you have a spare room, a big heart and the time to make a difference, fostering in Birmingham could be your next step.

Why Choose Wholistic Fostering?

We understand the full story — because we’ve lived it

Best Fostering Agency to become a foster carer in Birmingham and the Black Country for

Wholistic is a small, independent fostering agency built on lived experience. One of our founders grew up in foster care, which shapes our belief in the power of truly seeing, hearing and valuing every child — and every carer.

Culturally attuned care, rooted in community

Our mission is to recruit, train and support foster carers who understand or are willing to learn about the cultural, social and spiritual needs of children from Black and multiracial backgrounds.

That means:

Training that goes beyond the basics — covering topics like identity, trauma, racial microaggressions and hair and skin care for Black children
Community-based support tailored to your area
Peer groups, local events and reflective spaces for connection and growth

Support you can trust — 24/7

You’ll receive:

A dedicated supervising social worker who really gets to know you
Round-the-clock advice and support from our small but responsive team
Access to ongoing specialist training in person and online
Help with navigating allowances, tax relief and claiming benefits as a self-employed foster carer

A professional journey with a personal feel

We’re big enough to be effective — but small enough to truly care. You won’t be passed from team to team. You’ll know who you’re working with, and we’ll know you.

What Kind of Fostering Can I Do?

We support a variety of placements depending on your circumstances, availability and experience, including:

✅ Emergency care
✅ Long-term placements
✅ Sibling group fostering
✅ Short-term fostering
✅ Respite care

We'll work with you to find the right fit — and make sure you're never left to manage on your own.

What Support Do Birmingham Foster Carers Get?

Fostering with Wholistic means you’re never doing it alone.

You’ll receive:

A competitive allowance, reviewed annually
24/7 access to support, even during weekends or holidays
Extensive training, including pre-approval courses and advanced development
Help to access local services, networks, schools and leisure for your young person
Regular reflective supervision with your dedicated worker
Access to our fostering community and carer peer groups

We also advocate for our carers and support them to speak up, grow professionally, and share their insights with other carers and professionals.

A Social Worker discussed fostering with a foster carer

Living and Fostering in Birmingham: A Local Snapshot

Birmingham is one of the youngest and most multicultural cities in Europe. It’s home to incredible cultural heritage, bustling local markets, award-winning schools and parks, and thriving community groups.

Many of the children we support have strong connections to their neighbourhoods, faith groups and schools — which makes local carers especially valuable.

You don’t need to be born in Birmingham to make a difference here. What matters most is your ability to care, learn and advocate for the young person you’re supporting.

"The training and support I get from Wholistic is on another level. They don’t just care about ticking boxes — they actually care about you as a person. I feel like I belong to something with real purpose."

Sharon

foster carer in South Birmingham

Training Designed for You

From your first enquiry to long after approval, we provide free specialist training on:

Wholistic fostering approaches

Cultural identity and belonging

Managing behaviour and wellbeing

Therapeutic care

Things to Do with Children in Birmingham

Foster children benefit from routine, community, and shared fun. Birmingham offers all three in abundance.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

MAC (Midlands Arts Centre)

Cannon Hill Park

Common Questions

Can I foster if I work full-time?

Yes — but it depends on your flexibility. Many single foster carers work part-time or in roles that allow them to be present before and after school. If you’re in a couple, it helps if one of you is available full-time or has flexible hours. We’ll talk through your schedule and explore what works for you.

What if I don’t have experience with children?

You don’t need to be a parent or teacher to become a foster carer. Many of our carers come from careers in care, youth work, community support or completely unrelated fields. If you have empathy, resilience, and a willingness to learn, we’ll help with the rest.

Areas We Cover near Birmingham

We work with carers in:

Start Your Journey in Birmingham

If you live in Birmingham or the surrounding areas and want to make a real difference, fostering with Wholistic could be the next step in your journey. You’ll be part of a fostering family that sees the whole picture — culture, identity, values and care — and supports you every step of the way.

Start Fostering in Birmingham