Short-term fostering
A child stays with a family while plans are made for reunification, a family placement, long-term fostering or another permanent arrangement.
Explore all types of fosteringOld Trafford, Manchester
Become a foster carer in Manchester
Organic Fostering is an independent fostering agency based in Old Trafford, Manchester. We assess, prepare and support foster carers who can offer children safe homes, dependable relationships and respect for their identity. If you live in Manchester and have started thinking about fostering, your first step can simply be a conversation.
Based in ManchesterHere when you’re ready.
Ofsted GoodOfsted rated Organic Fostering Good in May 2025
URN 2752487Registered with Ofsted as an independent fostering agency
Old TraffordOur Manchester office is on Chester Road, M16 9HA
Registered and inspected
A Manchester-based independent fostering agency
Organic Fostering Ltd is registered with Ofsted as an independent fostering agency.
In May 2025, Ofsted rated Organic Fostering Good. Inspectors reported that carers were prepared and trained to a good standard, children were carefully matched, cultural and heritage needs were promoted, carers had support and children were progressing.
The need for carers
Why foster in Manchester?
Children need foster families for many reasons. Some need immediate safety during a crisis. Others need care for several months or a stable family through the remainder of childhood.
Fostering is rewarding and carries professional responsibility. Carers work with social workers, schools, health professionals and the child's family in line with the care plan.
Choosing a service
Independent agency or local authority?
You can apply through a local council or an independent fostering agency. Organic Fostering recruits, assesses and prepares its own carers, takes assessments to panel, confirms approvals through its agency decision maker, supports approved households and works with local authorities looking for suitable homes.
The child's placing local authority remains responsible for the care plan and decides which available family best meets it. An applicant can be assessed by only one fostering service at a time.
Placement types
Types of fostering available
Organic Fostering's Ofsted report confirms short-term, long-term, emergency and respite care.
Long-term fostering
A stable family home for a child who is not expected to return to their birth family and for whom adoption is not the plan.
Explore all types of fosteringEmergency fostering
Immediate or short-notice care when a child needs somewhere safe quickly.
Explore all types of fosteringRespite fostering
Planned short breaks that support children, foster households or another caring arrangement.
Explore all types of fosteringEligibility
Who can foster in Manchester?
Foster carers come from varied backgrounds. You may be single or in a relationship, heterosexual or LGBTQ+, rent or own your home, have children or not, work or be retired, follow a faith or no faith, and come from any cultural or ethnic background.
You do not always need professional childcare experience.
Your circumstances
Renting, working and everyday life
You do not need to own your home. Renters may foster where accommodation is secure and suitable and required landlord permission is in place.
Working may also be possible. It depends on hours, flexibility, household support and the needs of a child. Carers may need to attend daytime meetings, learning, school events and unexpected appointments.
Discuss the actual circumstances with the team rather than ruling yourself out.
Step by step
The fostering process
- 1
Enquiry
Contact the Manchester team for an informal discussion.
- 2
Initial visit
A team member learns about your home, household and motivation.
- 3
Application
If fostering appears suitable on both sides, you complete a formal application.
- 4
Assessment and checks
A social worker completes a detailed assessment with you and your family, including DBS, medical, local authority and reference checks.
- 5
Preparation
You complete pre-approval fostering learning.
- 6
Panel and decision
Panel considers the assessment and makes a recommendation. The agency decision maker confirms the outcome.
- 7
Matching
After approval, potential referrals are considered against the needs of the child and the circumstances of your household.
Timescales
How long the process can take
GOV.UK says the application process can take up to eight months. We do not promise a fixed completion date.
Alongside you
Support for Manchester carers
Organic Fostering's current offer may include a supervising social worker, regular contact, out-of-hours advice, preparation and ongoing learning, placement planning, peer contact, specialist input where agreed and fostering payments.
Identity
Culture and identity
Manchester is home to people with varied cultures, languages, faiths and experiences. Fostering services need carers who can understand and promote a child's identity, including familiar food, faith, heritage, language, personal care, family and community.
A carer does not always need to share every aspect of a child's background. They must be willing to learn, listen and actively keep the child connected to who they are.
Organic Fostering's 2025 Ofsted report specifically recognised its work relating to cultural and heritage needs.
Where we work
Fostering in your part of Manchester
Organic Fostering's office is in Old Trafford. Whether an application can progress depends on the current recruitment footprint and capacity to provide practical local support.
Common questions
Manchester fostering FAQs
Can I foster through Organic Fostering if a child is from another council?
Potentially. Independent agencies receive referrals from local authorities. The placing authority decides which proposed family can best meet the child's needs.
Will I only care for children from Manchester?
Not necessarily. A suitable referral may come from another authority. Matching should consider distance from education, family, community and professional support.
How much do foster carers receive?
Carers receive an allowance towards the cost of care and may receive a professional fee. The amount depends on the placement, the child's needs and the approved payment structure. Our fostering allowance page explains how these payments are set out.
Do I have to commit before contacting you?
An initial enquiry is a chance to ask questions and decide whether to continue.
Next step
Start your Manchester fostering enquiry
Speak with the team about your home, family, work and questions.
Take the first step
Your fostering questions can start with one conversation
Tell us what you are thinking and ask what matters to you. A member of our Manchester team will explain the next step without pressure or obligation.