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The Fostering Network advice lines

Our advice lines provide information, advice, support and signposting on all issues affecting foster carers and fostering services, anywhere in the UK.

  • If you are a member of the Fostering Network and are facing an allegation or need urgent legal support please Login to call the Member Helpline to speak to our Legal Support Helpline. 
  • If you're new to The Fostering Network, or haven't spoken to us before, find out how we can help and how you can get the most from your call. 
  • If you aren't sure if you are a member but are in need of advice of support, please contact your country's Fosterline.

 

Prepare for your call

Who should I call?

I'm facing an allegation

If you are a foster carer and experience an allegation made against you, this can be very stressful. You might feel shocked, angry, frightened and alone. Our advice lines are here for you. We can advise you on what happens next and make sure you access legal and expert advice. If you are a foster carer member of The Fostering Network who has been subject to an allegation, you can call the Legal Helpline.  It is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

I'm looking for legal advice or representation

The Fostering Network advice lines cannot give you legal advice. Instead, we can talk through issues with you in general terms, and signpost you to specialist organisations if you need more help. Foster carer members of The Fostering Network can access a 24-hour legal helpline for expert advice on allegations and help with any legal queries.

I'm looking for professional emotional support

We're here to listen, understand and help you to move forward, but we can't provide counselling or ongoing emotional support. Members of The Fostering Network can access completely confidential professional emotional support when things get overwhelming. The service, operated by Care First, is staffed by trained counsellors offering emotional support, advice and information.

I'm looking for support with tax

The Fostering Network members can call our dedicated tax-related helpline, available between 9am and 5pm on weekdays (except bank holidays). Your query will be dealt with by a qualified specialist who is experienced in handling legal and tax related matters; however, tax advice will not be issued.

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I'm looking for medical advice

Non-emergency Health & Medical information service is available to members  and their immediate families. 

This helpline is managed by Health Hero, is staffed by practising NHS GPs, providing policyholders with direct, unlimited access to qualified medical advice. Customers simply call the helpline where a member of the customer service team takes their details and arranges a time for the GP to contact them for a telephone consultation (the GP will contact the customer within 15 minutes of the agreed appointment time)

Member Helpline 

 

The Member Helpline will connect you to the following services:

  • Fosterline in your country for immediate advice and support on all fostering matters.
  • Legal Advice Helpline for immediate allegations support, legal representation as well as advice on all aspects of law.
  • Emotional and Counselling Support, offering in the moment support and up to 10 counselling sessions.
  • Health & Medical Helpline (non-emergency service) for GP-led medical advice.
  • Tax Helpline for support with tax queries, including Qualifying Care Relief and Self-Assessment.

The services are exclusively for members of The Fostering Network, except for each country's Fosterline, which is open to all callers. 

If you would like to become a member of The Fostering Network, or have a question about your membership, including any problems accessing the members' area of our website, please contact our Membership Team.

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Fosterline in your country

Choose your country to see contact details for our advice line in your area to call them directly. 

Fosterline Northern Ireland

  • Call us on 028 9164 1152
  • Email us on [email protected]
  • We are open from 9.30am - 1.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we are closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name, telephone number and postcode. We will always return your call as soon as possible.

Fosterline Wales

  • Call us on 0800 316 7664
  • Email us on [email protected]
  • We're open from 9.30am - 12.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we're closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name and telephone number. We will always return your call as soon as possible.
  • Fosterline Wales is funded by the Welsh Government. You can speak to someone in English or in Welsh.

Fosterline Scotland

  • Call us on 0141 204 1400
  • Email us on [email protected]
  • We are open from 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Evening calls with a Fosterline Scotland adviser may be available by request. Please get in touch with us to see what is possible. If you hear a recorded message, it means we're on another call or we're closed. Please leave us a message, clearly stating your name and telephone number. We will always return your call as soon as possible.
  • Fosterline Scotland is funded by Scottish Government.

Fosterline England

  • Call us on 0800 040 7675
  • Email us on [email protected]
  • We’re open from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)
  • Fosterline England is operated by The Fostering Network on behalf of the Department for Education.

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Website and contents copyright © The Fostering Network 2025. Registered in England and Wales as a limited company 1507277. Registered charity in England and Wales 280852 and in Scotland SC039338. Registered address: 87 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8HA

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