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Leicestershire County Council fostering service

Local Services
Leicestershire County Council Fostering

As of March 2026, there are over 770 children and young people in care across Leicestershire. Children and young people come into care for many reasons, and it is the responsibility of the county council to place them in homes that best suit their needs and circumstances, and to ensure that they feel safe and cared for as long as they need us.

Our aim is to ensure our young people stay with local families where they can heal, develop and thrive for as long as it is needed.

Services and support

Our fostering support and guidance was described as ‘consistent and reliable’ (Ofsted, 2024). It includes:

  • Our foster carers are busy, which means payments and allowances that you can rely on
  • Your own dedicated Supporting Social Worker and a wider support team available 24/7, 365
  • Ongoing training sessions at local venues
  • Local peer-to-peer support groups, giving you the opportunity to meet other foster carers
  • Access to our virtual school, which supports you to support our children get the best out of their education
  • Regular support and social events for our fostering families (including birth children of foster carers)

There are many different ways you can make a difference to Leicestershire’s children and young people in care

  • Short term fostering – caring for young people for up to and around 18 months
  • Longer-term and permanent fostering – fostering without having to say goodbye, as young people often live with you until adulthood
  • Specialist fostering – for professional, experienced and dedicated foster carers to support young people who need more time, specific skills and knowledge
  • Short break fostering – offering our children a regular, planned break (minimum one weekend per month)
  • Supported Lodgings – supporting our teenagers from 16 years as they grow into independence
  • Independent Visitors – a voluntary role where you are matched with a young person in care and enjoy monthly outings together

For more information, please contact us:

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