Building bright futures since 1998.

Care for a child in your home, Earn up to £1000 per week

＊ UK's leading fostering agency ＊

Since 1998 ＊

Ofsted Outstanding Provider

＊ UK's leading fostering agency ＊ Since 1998 ＊ Ofsted Outstanding Provider

Founded by Experts

In 1998, Rainbow was created by qualified social workers and a foster parent power couple with the aim to revolutionise the support given to foster parents, achieving better outcomes for children.

26 years of excellence

With over two decades of experience, we are now UK’s leading independent fostering agency, providing outstanding foster placements for children and young people in the UK.

Rated Ofsted Outstanding

Don’t just hear it from us! Ofsted have rated us Outstanding in all areas. Inspectors commend our service to both foster parents and children in our care.

A one-of-a-kind experience

Our mission is to enable all children and young people in care to thrive and achieve their potential, by providing loving homes and stability in their lives.

We train individuals and couples to protect, nurture and safeguard children that need a new home.

Be part of something extraordinary

Fostering is rewarding beyond what you can imagine. To get started, you must have a spare bedroom and the right to work in the UK.

Start a new career with free training and 24/7 support - we’ll be there for you every step of the way!

Ofsted Outstanding

★★★★★

Ofsted Outstanding ★★★★★

“Rainbow ensures that excellent care and support are provided to all the children placed. A key strength of this agency is the quality of placements.”

— Ofsted Inspector * Ofsted Report 2023 Rated ‘Outstanding’ in All Areas

We are not like other corporate agencies.

We are family

“Foster carers described the agency as a ‘family’. They feel that the agency goes above and beyond to make sure that they get the support that they need to keep children safe and maintain their placements”
— Ofsted Inspector (2023)

FAQs

  • To foster, you need to be over 21 years old, be a British Citizen or have the right to work in the UK and most importantly, a spare bedroom.

    The best part? You do not need any qualifications! We provide free training to support your ongoing professional learning and development, as well 24/7 support.

  • Fostering is different from adoption as it involves looking after a baby, child or teenager on a temporary basis. But your support lasts a lifetime. Fostering can last a few weeks, months or several years. Unlike adoption, fostering ends when the child reaches 18. Fostering helps children reach adulthood with confidence by providing them the love, safety and support they need to blossom.

    Adoption is a permanent arrangement where adoptive parents assume full legal responsibilty for the child until they reach adulthood. In contrast, foster parents do not have full legal responsibility. When a chid is made the subject of a care order, the local authority has legal responsibility (Part 3 of the Children Act 1989). However, foster parents may adopt their child if they wish to do so.

  • You are responsible for caring for a child entering your home as if they were your own. This includes dedicating time to meet their needs, such as transportation to and from school, attending appointments, planning outings and more. You are also expected to attend regular mandatory training to ensure that you provide the best standard of care to children.

    As a foster parent, you are self-employed, supported by our agency. Many of our foster parents work full-time jobs while fostering. We also have foster parents who pursue fostering as a full-time career. You can choose the option that best fits your circumstances.

  • Yes, you can absolutely foster children if you have children living at home, as long as your children accept that you will be fostering. You should consider how fostering may impact your own children and be prepared to discuss this with them openly.

    In fact, having children already in the home can provide a supportive and enriching environment for foster children. And your birth children receive new siblings!

  • No. Many foster parents are single people, cohabiting or in a civil partnership. If you are not on your own, it is important that you are in a stable and healthy relationship.

Supported over 10,000 children in loving homes.

Leading provider in foster care training.

Hear directly from Rainbow foster parents!

  • "Thanks to Rainbow’s training and support, we feel well-prepared and confident to start fostering.”

    Laurie

  • "The staff are very good. The supervising social workers are always there even if you call at night. We might have given up fostering, it’s just because of Mr. Aijaz, so good and the team is so supportive.”

    Mohammad Tanvir

  • "To see a child change, settle in and thrive. It’s really really rewarding. It’s the best feeling ever"

    Penny & Wengai

  • “The application process was lovely. I think our favourite part was the Skills to Foster Training. We met other applicants, Rainbow Staff and learned more about fostering."

    Sarah and Liam

  • "Fostering with Rainbow changed my life! I am still in touch with the young boy I fostered. He calls my husband, 'dad'. It is the sweetest thing ever."

    Jane

  • "With Rainbow, I had the opportunity to foster babies, toddlers and teenagers. I feel good knowing I helped so many children have a new start in life."

    Mark

Discover the joy of fostering with us.

Join the Rainbow Family

#BeTheChange

Create beautiful memories

Be a child’s hero

Provide love and safety