Transforming Lives: Fostering Teenagers in the North East

We want every child in the North East to have the best support as they approach adulthood so they can plan a bright future that sees them thrive. Unfortunately, suitable foster homes for teenagers are in shorter supply than homes for younger children. Could you share your home to shape their future by fostering an older child? 

This guide to foster care for teenagers answers frequently asked questions our hub carers regularly answer. It also links to other relevant information from experts and the experiences of foster carers. It provides a picture of what it means to foster a teen for those considering fostering with the in the North East of England, which make up Foster with North East 

What's foster care like for teenagers? 

The circumstances and care plans of each child in care are different. Like any child, teenagers need stability and support. Teenagers can come into the care system for all kinds of reasons, including illness or bereavement in the family, a breakdown of relationships or abuse, neglect or addiction in the home.  

Teen fostering facts 

• Foster with North East research shows that people considering becoming a carer are less likely to contemplate fostering teens.   
• A shortage of suitable foster carers for teenagers means that young people in this age group are more likely to move away from familiar elements of their lives, such as school, activities and important people.  
• Often, teens may have experienced the upheaval of moving in and out of care and find the uncertainty difficult.  
• Some teens who need foster homes may have additional learning or emotional needs that require extra support.  
• Young people tell us they want to be heard and to feel like they belong, which is why consistent care in a nurturing family environment is so important. 

Why foster teens? The benefits 

We need foster carers for all types of fostering but we especially need more people to come into teenage foster care. You can make a pivotal difference to our young people at this critical stage of their lives. 

Community impact 

Fostering has an immediate impact by helping teens to stay within familiar surroundings. As a foster carer, you could help young people gain life skills and be better prepared for adulthood, which can change life experiences within your community. Parent and child fostering sometimes involves supporting teenagers who are new parents to adjust to their new parenting role, allowing you to support young families in your community. 

Fostering teens works for you 

If you don't fancy running around after toddlers, and would like to work or dedicate time to hobbies, fostering teens may work for you. Young people usually attend education during the day and, on the whole, tend to be more independent. 

Lifelong positive impact on young people 

Teens ageing out of care means that teenage foster care may not be as long-term as other types of fostering. But becoming a trusted adult who offers structure, support and stability at a time of brain changes, exams and peer pressure, means you can truly make a lifelong difference even in a short amount of time. 

Specialist support team 

You won't be alone when you take on this role. You'll have a team of professionals and the welcoming North East fostering community providing specialist support. From pre-approval fostering training classes to post-approval local training programmes, you'll cover relevant topics to prepare you. You can also ask for a buddy to help you through the application process. 

As an approved foster carer, you'll have your own supervising social worker and on-call help. We also band fostering allowances by age to provide greater financial support as children age. More foster families in the North East are also joining the Mockingbird support scheme. It helps teenagers by providing them with additional adult role models and a larger support network. 

Read more in 5 Reasons why You should consider fostering teens 

What does foster parenting teenagers involve? 

Think back to your teenage years. Did you feel pressure to succeed or fit in? Were you the typical 'messy' teenager who left clothes on the floor? 

Being a foster carer for teens is about more than keeping them safe. Together, we will help young people overcome the challenges of growing up and the extra hurdles that may have brought them into care. 

Foster carers for teenagers 

• share essential life skills for their next steps in life 
• listen and build their trust, confidence and self-belief 
• support them in education and planning for their next steps 
• facilitate contact with important people in their lives, such as family or friends. 

Who can foster teens? 

You don't need previous experience or specific qualifications to be a foster carer for teens. Some of our carers are parents to grown children. Others have worked with older children in voluntary or employed youth work, but you're not expected to have a specific background.  

There are also very few barriers to becoming a teen foster carer in the North East. Our local authority partners ask that you: 

• have a spare bedroom not used by anyone else where a teen could have a space of their own
• be aged over 21, there's no upper age limit
• have the right to live and work in the UK
• have a sense of fun and the drive to change the lives of local teens

Can you foster a teenager? Read become a carer. 

What is the oldest age to foster? 

In the UK, children stay in foster care between the ages of 0 and 18 years old. Teenagers aged 16 and 17 can and do come into foster care with varying care plans, though most will need short-term foster care because of their age. 

As a foster carer, you can be approved to look after specific or all age groups. During the application stage, your assessing social worker will explore how different types of fostering might fit for you and your family. 

The social worker of any older teens will work with you to ensure they have support for their future independence. They'll explore post-18 living arrangements or by mutual agreement, your foster child might stay with you through the Staying Put scheme.  

How to foster a teenager in the North East 

We and the North East council fostering community are here to support you if you want to learn more about North East foster care for teenagers. We can guide you through applying to foster a teen with your council. You will also have the option to speak to current foster carers about their experiences. 

To help you make an informed decision about your next steps, you can: 

1. Read our information pack and fostering news and advice. 

2. Get in touch with FWNE hub advisers who can answer your queries and arrange for you to chat with an existing carer through our foster parent mentoring scheme - foster buddies, call 0800 917 771 or enquire online now. 

3. Find a fostering information event near you or online to find out more and chat with local fostering teams and carers. 

4. When you're ready to apply, we'll guide you through how things work and what to expect. 

Meet some of our teen-fostering households 

Francie, foster carer for ages 11 and up

"I'm too old to race around after toddlers. I didn't want toddlers. I love them. I mean, we've got small children in the family, and they're adorable. But the intellectual level [of teenagers], it's interesting. You're helping them see the world in a different way, especially if they're troubled if they've got background or things that have made them react and make them scared."  Francie. 

Kath and Alan, foster carers to two teen girls

"I find with teenagers, it's all about the delivery when you talk about things like house rules. It's about being clear and explaining things so they understand. Of course, any teenager can push back about rules and curfews. What is often surprising to people is that no matter the age of a child, they are often craving guidance and boundaries that have been missing at home. That goes hand-in-hand with the stability they need." Kath and Alan.  

A Mockingbird hub carer caring for children and teens, Lesley

"There's one young man who always comes to mind as someone who has benefited so much from it, who's now 17. The first night he ever met me, he was having a tough time; he was in crisis mode. I went over to his house to help his carer calm him down and support the carer. It was not going to be possible for him to stay with his carer, so we brought him back to our house, and from that day, he just took a totally different turn in life." Mockingbird hub carer Lesley. 

Could you share your home to shape a teen's future? 

Could you be the 'someone in their corner' a North East teen needs? If you'd like to find out more about how to foster a teenager in the North East, we're here to answer your questions about fostering with your local council with Foster with North East. Enquire now,  call our hub team on 0800 917 7771 or find a fostering information event near you. 

Read more fostering news, information and tips