Fostering in Liverpool

Thinking about fostering in Liverpool? Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area have hundreds of children who need safe, caring homes, from babies to teenagers and young people preparing to leave care. On this page you can compare the council fostering services and independent fostering agencies in and around Liverpool.

Fostering agencies in Liverpool

Liverpool City Council runs its own fostering service, and several independent and charity fostering agencies have offices in the city:

• Liverpool City Council Fostering Service – Parklands, The Former Leeson Centre, Conleach Rd, Liverpool L24 0TY
• Barnardo’s North West Fostering Service – 5 Lineside Cl, Liverpool L25 2UD
• Regional Foster Families (North West) – Bungalow Bridge Chapel Centre, Heath Rd, Liverpool L19 4XR
• Beacon Fostering Limited – ABC Offices, 58 Breckfield Rd S, Liverpool L6 5DR
• Perpetual Fostering – Liverpool – Liverpool Office Maghull Business Centre, 1 Liverpool Rd N, Maghull, Liverpool L31 2HB

Fostering services near Liverpool

• Knowsley MBC Fostering Service – 2, Nutgrove villa, Westmorland Rd, Huyton, Liverpool L36 9YU
• Foster Careline – Oaklands Office Park, Suite GF7, Hooton Rd, Hooton, Ellesmere Port CH66 7NZ
• Fostering Services – Rutland House, Second Ave, Palacefields, Runcorn WA7 2ES
• National Fostering Agency – Warrington – 920 Birchwood Blvd, Birchwood, Warrington WA3 7QS
• Excel Fostering – Warrington – 1st Floor, Rutherford House, Warrington Rd, Birchwood, Warrington WA3 6ZH
• Orange Grove Foster Care Warrington – Walnut Tree Business Centre, Suite 3 Northwich Rd, Lower Stretton, Warrington WA4 4PG

You can also browse all fostering agencies in the North of England.

Council or independent fostering agency?

Local authority fostering (such as Liverpool City Council or Knowsley Council) means working directly with the council that is responsible for the child. Children are often placed close to home, and you will be supported by the council’s own social workers.

Independent fostering agencies (IFAs) recruit and support carers on behalf of councils. They often place children with more complex needs and may pay higher fees, with extra support such as therapy teams. Some are charities, like Barnardo’s, and others are private companies. Speak to more than one service before you decide.

How much do foster carers get paid in Liverpool?

Every foster carer in England receives at least the government’s national minimum allowance to cover the cost of looking after a child. For April 2026 to April 2027 the weekly minimums outside London and the South East are:

• £176 for a child aged 0 to 2
• £182 for a child aged 3 to 4
• £201 for a child aged 5 to 10
• £227 for a child aged 11 to 15
• £267 for a young person aged 16 to 17

Most councils and agencies pay more than this, and many add a weekly fee for the carer’s skills and experience. Foster carers also get generous tax relief through qualifying care relief. Ask each service for its full fees and allowances.

For full 2026/27 rates across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, see How much do foster carers get paid?

How to become a foster carer in Liverpool

• Make an enquiry – a short, no-obligation chat with your chosen service.
• Home visit – a social worker visits to talk about fostering and your home.
• Training – a preparation course such as Skills to Foster.
• Assessment – a detailed assessment over a few months, including checks and references.
• Fostering panel – an independent panel recommends whether you are approved.

Fostering in Liverpool: FAQs

Do I need a spare bedroom?

Yes, in most cases a foster child needs their own bedroom. You can rent or own your home – see Can I foster if I don’t own my home?

Can I foster if I work full-time?

Sometimes, depending on the child’s age and needs. Read Can you foster if you work full-time?

Can single people foster?

Yes. You can foster if you are single, married, in a relationship, LGBTQ+, of any faith or none, as long as you can give a child a safe and caring home.

Learn more

Read our free fostering guide or is fostering right for you?