Fostering, adopting and looked after children

Change a life forever

Welcome to the council's fostering, adopting and looked after children's section. Here is an overview of what information can be found in this section.

Adoption

We urgently need more adopters who

live outside of Bristol within a 50 mile radius (i.e. Cheltenham, Weston-Super Mare, Swindon, Bath, Gloucester, Taunton etc)
are black, dual heritage or from an ethnic minority
are prepared to take sibling groups, older children and disabled children

If you are interested in adopting a Bristol child, visit our adoption pages using the link below or telephone us on 0117 353 4200.

I'm interested in adoption

Fostering

We urgently need more foster families for Bristol Children. We are currently recruiting for all ages of children, from 0 - 18 years. If you are interested in fostering a Bristol child, visit our fostering pages using the link below or telephone us on 0117 353 4200.

I'm interested in fostering

Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People

We need around twenty new Short Break Carers / Support Buddies, to join our existing team of around 70 existing carers. These carers give a little of their time to help Disabled Children and the families in Bristol have a break. The children get to go out and have fun, whilst their carers get a well earned rest. If you are interested in providing Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People in Bristol, and can commit a few hours a week, or perhaps one weekend a month on a regular basis, contact the council's Short Breaks Team on 0117 353 4086, or visit the Short Breaks pages using the related links below.

I'm interested in Short Breaks

Private Fostering

Private Fostering is when a child under 16 (or under 18 if the child is disabled) goes to live for more than 28 days with people who are not close relatives. Close relatives are a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt or step-parent. Parents and carers must let the council know about private fostering. It's against the law not to. For more about private fostering and how to notify the council, visit the Private Fostering pages using the link below.

I need more information about private fostering