Fostering in Hertfordshire provides an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children in need. But while fostering is a fulfilling role, it also comes with challenges. The journey can be unpredictable and without the right fostering agency in Hertfordshire behind you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when situations become more complex than expected.
Many new foster parents find it hard to anticipate just how demanding fostering can be. From navigating emotional behaviours to handling unexpected setbacks, having the right support system is essential.
Choosing a fostering agency isn’t just about approval - it’s about finding one that will stand by you when you need help the most. At Mosaic, we understand fostering can be tough and ensure you’re never left facing difficulties alone.
Fostering is about more than opening your home - it’s about helping children heal from trauma.
Many fostering agencies promise support, but too often, foster parents are left waiting weeks or even months for crucial therapeutic interventions. At Mosaic Foster Care, we believe in immediate access to the right support, ensuring that both foster parents and children receive the help they need, exactly when they need it.
Waiting too long for therapeutic input can stall a child’s progress and make it harder for them to form meaningful relationships with their foster family. That’s why we provide instant, expert-led support, giving every child the best possible chance of recovery and stability.
Our approach goes beyond standard fostering requirements. These three key factors contribute to our exceptional success rates, which exceed national averages:
🔹 Long-Term Stability – We prioritise lasting placements, supporting foster parents who are committed to caring for children into adulthood. If you ever need additional help, our team and fostering community are here to lift the load.
🔹 A Thoughtful Matching Process – We ensure every foster child is carefully matched with the right foster family, taking the time to make fostering placements work. All our foster children have in-person introductions with their potential foster parents before a placement is agreed by all parties. This helps ensure a seamless transition.
🔹 Rapid, Tailored Expert Support – Our in-house therapeutic team steps in as soon as any challenges arise, meaning you receive expert intervention quickly - often within hours rather than weeks you might typically wait.
We provide specialised training and proactive support tailored not only for foster parents but also for their families, including birth children.
With a detailed assessment process and individual therapeutic training plans, we equip you with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate fostering challenges. This ensures you feel empowered, resilient, and fully supported, no matter what difficulties arise along the way.
At Mosaic, we know that fostering is a team effort, and we are committed to ensuring that every member of your household receives the guidance and care they need.
Our training programmes continue throughout the fostering journey, giving both carers and the community essential insights into therapeutic care practices. Skilled social workers and therapists lead the training sessions, providing personalised strategies that address each child's unique emotional and mental health challenges. Our commitment to high-quality, child-focused care is evident, earning us Outstanding ratings from Ofsted, which showcases our determination to support every child's needs.
Whether you live in Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Hertford, or nearby areas, Mosaic Foster Care is here to support you every step of the way in your fostering journey. We specialise in long-term, therapeutic fostering, ensuring that children in need find stability, security, and a nurturing home with dedicated foster parents.You can read about the process to become a foster parent in full here.
If you're looking to foster in Hertfordshire, our team is ready to provide you with the training, financial support, and expert guidance needed to help you make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
Fostering in Hertfordshire is a rewarding role, but it’s also a job that comes with financial support to ensure foster carers can provide a stable home. Foster care allowances help cover essential things like food, clothing, activities, and transport, while additional allowances may be available for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.
At Mosaic Foster Care, we work with authorities like Hertfordshire County Council to ensure foster carers receive fair and competitive allowance rates. Payments are made on a regular basis to support carers in providing a nurturing environment for children in care.
At Mosaic, our foster carers in Hertfordshire receive a weekly allowance, which varies depending on the child’s age, needs, and placement type. Payments cover everyday activities such as schooling, hobbies, and leisure, ensuring that every child has access to enriching experiences. Some carers may receive an additional allowance for specialist placements or high-needs fostering.
For those new to fostering in Hertfordshire, here’s an example of how your fostering allowance might be structured at Mosaic Foster Care:
✅ Standard fostering allowance – Covers daily living costs
✅ Additional activities – For birthdays, holidays, and special activities
✅ Retainer payments – To support carers between placements
The authorities overseeing foster care pay have set policies to ensure foster carers receive fair compensation. Reporting on allowances and expenses is straightforward, with clear guidance provided by Mosaic Foster Care and local authorities.
If you have any questions about foster care pay, allowances, or policies, you can contact us directly. Whether you prefer a phone call, or online chat, our team is here to help. We are not yet able to offer an SMS service but you can call us on 0800 2335570 or visit our website for more information.
When you're considering becoming a foster carer, choosing the right fostering agency is crucial. At Mosaic Foster Care, our foster parents say they love working with us because we stand out in the following areas:
✔ Specialist Long-Term Fostering – We focus on long-term placements, providing children with the stability they need to thrive.
✔ Rapid Therapeutic Support – Our unique SMILE therapeutic framework ensures you and your foster child have immediate access to expert therapy and support – no waiting lists.
✔ 24/7 Support for Foster Families – You’ll never face challenges alone. Our dedicated support workers and social workers are always available to assist you.
✔ Financial Stability – Our generous foster care payments in Hertfordshire start at £600-£700+ per week, ensuring you can focus on providing care without financial worries.
✔ Comprehensive Training – We provide extensive foster care training in Hertfordshire, helping you develop the skills needed to support a child through trauma and build a strong, nurturing home.
For further information or to begin your journey as a foster parent, please contact us at Mosaic Foster Care. Together, we can provide the nurturing environment children in Hertfordshire need to heal and grow.
We welcome people from all backgrounds to apply to become foster parents in Hertfordshire. To foster with Mosaic Foster Care, you need:
You don’t need previous experience - just a commitment to making a positive difference to a child's life. Our expert training and support will equip you with everything you need.
To become a foster carer in Hertfordshire, you must be over 21, have a spare room, and a commitment to providing a stable environment. Hertfordshire County Council sets policies for foster carers, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in care. You don’t need to own your home, but you must have the right environment to support a child’s development. Foster parents come from all backgrounds and work in partnership with social workers, professionals, and support groups to ensure the best outcomes.
The application process for fostering in Hertfordshire involves several stages, starting with an initial enquiry through a fostering agency like Mosaic Foster Care which supports foster parents in the Hertfordshire County Council area. You’ll attend information events, where you can ask questions, learn about the different types of fostering, and receive advice from experts. After this, you’ll complete a detailed application, undergo background checks, and attend training. The entire processing time varies but is essential to ensuring the safety and trust of foster children.
Foster carers in Hertfordshire receive extensive training covering child development, trauma and support services. Some fostering agencies like Mosaic Foster Care provide ongoing training sessions to help foster carers understand their rights, responsibilities, and the impact of fostering. Specialised training includes safeguarding, managing behavioural issues, and promoting wellbeing. Foster parents also receive access to support groups and online platforms to stay connected with other carers in the Hertfordshire County Council region. If you are interested in training associated with fostering for adoption, you should discuss this with your adoption agency.
There are multiple types of foster care available in Hertfordshire, including short-term, long-term, and emergency fostering. Hertfordshire County Council works with professionals at fostering agencies like Mosaic Foster Care to match children with the right foster carers. Some foster carers provide specialist fostering, such as parent and child placements, fostering for children with additional needs, or school-age fostering. Each type of fostering provides unique benefits to children in need and plays a vital role in their growth and development. Mosaic Foster Care specialises in long-term fostering. You can learn more about long term foster care here.
Foster carers in Hertfordshire receive comprehensive support from Mosaic Foster Care, including access to support groups, social workers, and 24/7 helplines. We ensure every foster carer has access to generous payments, training, and professional advice. We offer personalised support services, helping foster parents handle issues that may arise. Additionally, carers can attend information events and connect with others in their area.
The fostering application process in Hertfordshire follows a structured series of stages, starting with an initial enquiry. You may be invited to attend information events, complete an application, and undergo background checks. Our team oversee this process, ensuring privacy compliance and proper processing of personal details. The process includes home visits, interviews, and assessments to confirm a foster carer’s suitability before approval.
Yes, emergency foster care is available in Hertfordshire for children who need immediate, short-term placements. Hertfordshire County Council, alongside fostering agencies, recruits carers willing to provide urgent placements at short notice. Emergency foster carers receive specialist training to handle crisis situations and work in partnership with social workers and support groups. These placements are crucial for children in unsafe environments and help stabilise their situation before a long-term plan is established. Mosaic does not offer emergency foster care as we are focused on long-term fostering places only.
Foster carers in Hertfordshire can care for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers. Fostering agencies like Mosaic Foster Care assess each applicant’s experience, home environment, and room availability before approving them for fostering and matching them with a child. Carers fostering school-age children receive guidance on education support, and those fostering teenagers are trained to address independence and development needs. Each age group presents unique challenges and rewards, helping children build trust and positive relationships.
The approval process for becoming a foster carer in Hertfordshire takes an average of four months. The timeline depends on processing times, background checks, and the completion of training stages. Fostering agencies like Mosaic Foster Care ensure every application follows strict policies to safeguard children. The process includes home assessments, references, and a panel review before a final decision is made. Some carers may complete the process faster, depending on their circumstances.
There are many fostering agencies in Hertfordshire, working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to provide safe, stable homes for children. We would urge you to speak with several agencies before making your choice as choosing the right agency will be critical to your success as a foster parent. You can find local agencies serving Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Luton, and other Hertfordshire locations. Most foster agencies offer information events, advice, and support services to help new and experienced carers. The best way to start is by researching online and attending an information session, or contacting each agency directly.
Hertfordshire has a pressing need for dedicated foster parents. This vibrant county has a diverse population and many children in search of safe and nurturing placements, whether temporary or long-term. Fostering in Hertfordshire greatly benefits local communities while significantly improving the lives of vulnerable young people. By choosing to become a foster parent here, you provide essential support and care, creating lasting change for these children's futures. Mosaic Foster Care proudly serves several prominent towns and cities throughout Hertfordshire, including:
