Foster Bristol
Bristol City Council Fostering Service
Bristol · Local AuthorityRegional
Foster Bristol is Bristol City Council's own fostering service for children in the city. If you're thinking about fostering with them, here's what to expect.
What to know about Foster Bristol
Foster Bristol is the council's fostering service. Their focus is entirely on the public good rather than corporate profit. Because it's the council's own service, children who come into care in Bristol are matched with Foster Bristol carers first. This keeps children close to their schools, friends, and local communities.
Foster Carers are never left to manage on their own. Foster Bristol uses the Mockingbird model to build supportive local networks between foster families, provides specialised therapeutic training through the Bristol Model, and offers direct guidance from the Bristol Therapeutic Support Team (BTSS).
Foster Bristol recruits carers in the Bristol area. If you live just outside the city, ask whether you can foster with them.
bristol.gov.ukSupport at a glance
A dedicated supervising social worker offers regular guidance, support and encouragement.
An experienced carer supports you during your first year.
An out-of-hours support line and emergency duty team, available 7 days a week.
Bristol Therapeutic Support Service (BTSS), Thinking Allowed for children's mental health and therapy, and The HOPE virtual school for education.
Bespoke training to help you grow in your role, plus regular support groups and coffee mornings.
Free FosterTalk membership, free Everyone Active leisure membership in Bristol, and wellbeing activities run by BFCA, such as a foster carer choir and yoga.
The Mockingbird Family Model
Foster Bristol is bringing the national Mockingbird Family Model to its carers, with its first constellation launched in 2024. Carers have the potential to be part of one, so they have extended support rather than managing alone.
Fostering households are grouped into small networks of around 6 to 10 families.
Each constellation is anchored by an experienced carer who offers peer advice and a familiar base.
Constellation families meet up regularly, so children and carers build friendships beyond their own household.
Children can stay overnight with a trusted constellation family, giving carers planned breaks.
Types of fostering offered
Fostering allowances
Foster Bristol pays a weekly allowance for each child, set by the child's age. Carers who reach Level 2 or Level 3 receive a fixed fee on top.
Paid per child, depending on the child's age.
Fixed fee on top, once qualified.
Fixed fee on top, once qualified.
Specialist fostering types are paid separately:
Full-time role.
Figures checked October 2026. Allowances are reviewed each year and depend on the child's age and the carer's skill level.
Shortlist to confirm what you'd be paid
Areas covered
BS: BS
What Ofsted say
Foster Bristol is currently rated Good by Ofsted.
Local authorities are inspected under the ILACS framework across all children's services. Ratings shown reflect the 'Children in Care' sub-judgment.
"Children looked after by the local authority are mostly settled and are making good progress. Most children benefit from consistent caregivers, live in stable homes and their needs are regularly reviewed."
"Social workers and family support workers care for the children they work with. Children in care have a strong voice, both as individuals and collectively."
Trusted partner
Foster Bristol meets our Trusted partner standard: rated Good by Ofsted, with 7-day out-of-hours support, a dedicated therapeutic service (BTSS) and ongoing training.
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