Flourish Fostering is a specialist therapeutic fostering organisation. We are looking for people in Liverpool and the surrounding area who are ready to open their home, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Liverpool needs more therapeutic foster parents
Across Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral and the rest of Merseyside, the number of children who need a foster home is growing. Many of these children have experienced significant trauma and need more than a temporary place to stay. They need foster parents who have been trained to understand them and who have the right support behind them.
Flourish specialises in therapeutic fostering, which means every foster parent we approve receives in-depth training in trauma-informed care before a child is ever placed with them. It is a more thorough approach than standard fostering, and it produces better outcomes for children.
Could you foster in Liverpool?
You do not need a specific background or set of qualifications to become a foster parent. What matters is who you are, not what is on your CV. People from all walks of life foster successfully in Liverpool, including those who are single, those who rent their home and those who already have children of their own.
You will need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom and be willing to commit to the training and preparation that makes therapeutic fostering work. If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
• Over 21 with a spare bedroom
• Happy to own or rent your property
• Single, in a couple, or with children already at home
• Employed, self-employed or not currently working
• Willing to undertake specialist therapeutic training
What Flourish offers Liverpool foster parents
Fostering with Flourish means you are never doing it alone. From your first enquiry to the day-to-day reality of caring for a child, our team is there to support you. Here is what that looks like in practice.
A supervising social worker who knows you
You will have one dedicated worker as your main point of contact. They will visit you regularly, not just at review time, and they will get to know your household properly. When things are difficult, you are not starting from scratch every time you call.
Specialist therapeutic training
Before your first placement and throughout your time with Flourish, you will receive training in approaches including PACE and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). These are evidence-based methods designed specifically for children who have experienced trauma. Most of our training is available online, so it fits around your life.
24/7 on-call support
Children in foster care do not keep office hours. Our support line is staffed around the clock by people who understand fostering, so if something happens in the evening or at the weekend, there is always someone to call.
Competitive and transparent allowances
We are straightforward about what you will receive. Fostering allowances reflect both the costs of caring for a child and the skill involved in doing so therapeutically. Your supervising social worker will walk you through the full picture before you make any decision.
A community of Flourish foster parents
Across Merseyside and beyond, there is a growing community of Flourish foster parents. We run regular support groups and events so you can connect with people who understand your experience from the inside.
Questions about fostering in Liverpool
Do I need to live in Liverpool to apply?
You need to live within a reasonable distance of the children we place and the communities they come from. We cover Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area, including Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral and St Helens. If you are unsure whether your location works, just give us a call.
Is Flourish the same as Liverpool City Council fostering?
No. Liverpool City Council runs its own in-house fostering service. Flourish is an independent therapeutic fostering organisation, which means we can offer a higher level of specialist support, lower social worker caseloads and more intensive training. Children placed with us are still in the care of the local authority.
How long does it take to become a foster parent?
Most people are approved within four to six months of making their first enquiry. The process involves an assessment, background checks and training. We will keep you informed at every stage so you always know where things stand.
What kind of children would I be looking after?
Flourish places children who need therapeutic fostering, which typically means children who have experienced trauma, neglect or multiple placement moves. Many are school-age, though the ages vary. We take matching seriously and will only propose a placement if we genuinely believe it is the right fit for you and the child.
Ready to take the first step?
Talking to us costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Our team is used to answering every kind of question, including the ones that feel too small to ask.