Liverpool Needs More Therapeutic Foster Parents
Across Liverpool and Merseyside, more children need safe, stable foster homes.
For some children, a safe place to stay is only part of what they need.
Children who have experienced trauma, neglect or multiple placement moves may also need foster parents who understand what they have been through — and who have the right support behind them.
At Flourish, we specialise in therapeutic fostering.
That means our foster parents receive specialist training in trauma-informed care, alongside ongoing support throughout their fostering journey.
Could You Foster in Liverpool?
There is no single type of person who makes a good foster parent.
You can be:
- Single or in a relationship
- Renting or owning your home
- Working, self-employed or not currently working
- Already a parent, or have no children of your own
You do not need a particular career or qualification.
What matters most is your ability to offer a child patience, stability, consistency and care.
To foster with Flourish, you will generally need to:
- Be aged 21 or over
- Have a spare bedroom
- Have a stable home environment
- Be willing to complete specialist therapeutic training
- Have the time and commitment to support a child
You do not need to know everything before you start. You just need to be willing to learn.
What Makes Therapeutic Fostering Different?
Children who have experienced trauma can sometimes find it difficult to trust adults, manage their emotions or feel secure in new relationships.
Their behaviour may be a way of communicating fear, uncertainty or experiences they do not yet have the words to explain.
Therapeutic fostering helps foster parents understand what may be happening underneath that behaviour.
At Flourish, our foster parents receive training in trauma-informed approaches, including PACE and principles associated with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).
It is not about becoming a therapist.
It is about having the tools, understanding and support to help a child begin to feel safe.
What You Can Expect From Flourish
A dedicated supervising social worker
You will have a consistent point of contact who gets to know you, your household and your fostering journey.
Specialist therapeutic training
Training begins before your first placement and continues throughout your time with Flourish.
24/7 support
Fostering does not only happen during office hours. Support is available when you need it.
Clear fostering allowances
We will explain the financial side of fostering clearly before you make any commitment.
A community of foster parents
You will have opportunities to meet and connect with other Flourish foster parents who understand the experience first-hand.
Why Liverpool Needs More Therapeutic Foster Parents
Children enter foster care for many different reasons.
Some may have experienced neglect. Others may have lived through instability, difficult family circumstances or repeated changes in who cares for them.
Those experiences can shape the way a child sees themselves, other people and the world around them.
A child who has experienced instability may find it difficult to believe that an adult will stay.
A child who has experienced trauma may react strongly to situations that seem ordinary to somebody else.
Therapeutic foster parents are given the training and support to respond with patience, empathy and consistency.
Flourish supports foster families across Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens and the wider Merseyside area.
Common Questions About Fostering in Liverpool
Do I need to live in Liverpool?
No. Flourish works across Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area, including Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral and St Helens.
Is Flourish part of Liverpool City Council?
No. Flourish is an independent therapeutic fostering organisation.
Children placed with us remain in the care of their local authority, while Flourish recruits, trains and supports their foster parents.
How long does it take to become a foster parent?
The process includes an assessment, background checks, references and training.
For many people, this takes around four to six months, although every application is different.
What kind of children would I foster?
Flourish supports children who need therapeutic foster care, including children who may have experienced trauma, neglect or previous placement moves.
We take matching seriously and only suggest placements where we believe there is a good fit between the child and foster family.
Can I foster if I am single?
Yes.
Being single does not stop you from becoming a foster parent.
Can I foster if I rent my home?
Yes.
You do not need to own your property, although you will normally need a suitable spare bedroom.
Could Fostering Be Right for You?
You do not have to decide today.
Your first step can simply be a conversation.
You can ask about the assessment process, training, fostering allowances, the children who need homes and what fostering might look like for you.
There is no obligation to continue just because you make an enquiry.
If you live in Liverpool or elsewhere in Merseyside and would like to find out more, get in touch with the Flourish team today.