Fostering in West Kent
From Maidstone to Tunbridge Wells, local children need a stable, loving home. Could yours be the one?
West Kent takes in the county town of Maidstone, the busy towns of Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, the spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, and the villages and oast-house countryside of the Weald. Across this wide and varied area, children and young people are waiting for foster carers who can give them safety, consistency and someone in their corner.
Lighthouse Fostering is an independent, carer-led agency supporting foster carers throughout Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. We plan training, support groups and social worker visits around where our carers live, so you'll get the personal support of a local agency without long journeys.
Many people in West Kent come to fostering after a career in teaching, healthcare, childcare or business. The skills you already have, such as patience, organisation, empathy and resilience, are exactly what children in care need. We'll build on them with full training, including our 12-week therapeutic parenting course.
If you've got a spare bedroom and want to make a lasting difference to a young person's life, call 01227 250096 or request a call back. There's no pressure, just a friendly conversation about whether fostering could be right for you.
Can I foster alongside my career?
For some types of fostering, yes. Short break fostering, for example, involves caring for children at weekends or during school holidays, which can fit around a job. For full-time placements, at least one carer usually needs to be available for school runs, meetings and appointments. We'll help you find the right fit.
Can I foster brothers and sisters together?
We'd love to hear from you if you can. Keeping siblings together is one of the most important things we can do for children coming into care, and West Kent homes with more than one spare bedroom are especially valuable.
How long does the assessment take?
The Form F assessment usually takes around four to six months. You'll work with a social worker, attend preparation training and finally meet our independent fostering panel. Read about the Form F assessment.
Fostering in Maidstone
As Kent's county town, Maidstone has a large and diverse community, and a steady need for local foster families. We support foster carers across Maidstone town and nearby villages such as Headcorn, Staplehurst, Coxheath and Bearsted, helping children stay close to their schools and friends while they're in care.
Fostering in Tonbridge, West Malling and Kings Hill
From the castle town of Tonbridge to West Malling, Kings Hill, Snodland and Aylesford, the Tonbridge and Malling area is full of family-friendly communities. If you live here and have room in your home, you could offer a child the stability they've been missing.
Fostering in Sevenoaks, Swanley and Edenbridge
The Sevenoaks district stretches from Swanley in the north to Edenbridge and Westerham in the south. Whether you live in town or in a rural village, we'll support you with regular home visits and local training, so you're never far from help.
Fostering in Tunbridge Wells and the Weald
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, Paddock Wood, Cranbrook and the surrounding Weald villages are home to children who need foster carers now. Our carers here help young people build confidence, catch up at school and enjoy the everyday childhood every child deserves.
Sibling groups and short break fostering
Two types of fostering are especially needed in West Kent. Sibling placements keep brothers and sisters together at a time when everything else in their lives has changed, so if you have more than one spare bedroom, you could make a huge difference. Short break fostering gives children and their full-time carers a planned break, often at weekends, and can suit people who work during the week.