A 15-year-old walks into a foster home for the first time.
Head down. Hood up. No eye contact.
He’s just come from court. There are concerns about gang involvement. He hasn’t been going home. This is the first time he’s stayed with foster carers, and no one quite knows what will happen next.
By the end of his first evening, something small shifts.
He sits at the table for dinner. He starts talking about football. The carers listen.
The next day, they take him to buy clothes for court. A haircut. New trainers. Things most of us take for granted, but for him, it’s a reset.
A few weeks later, he’s settled into the home. More comfortable. Joining conversations. Starting to trust.
At court, he presents differently.
Calmer. More confident.
He’s able to return home with support in place.
And he still comes back – for Sunday lunch, for advice, for reassurance.
This is a very different side of fostering in Birmingham – one that most people don’t realise exists.
It’s known as Remand Fostering.
What is Remand Fostering?
Remand Fostering is a specialist type of fostering, where carers support young people who can’t return home while they wait for a court decision.
It’s often short term, but it happens at a critical moment in a young person’s life.
Why this type of fostering in Birmingham is needed
When a young person goes to court and can’t safely return home, the options can often feel limited – time in police custody, unsuitable accommodation, or a custodial setting.
But custody can have a lasting impact on young people – disrupting education, relationships and stability in ways that can follow them for years.
According to the government’s Youth Justice Statistics, many young people are remanded into custody unnecessarily:
- Around 43% of children in custody are on remand
- 62% do not go on to receive a custodial sentence
In many cases, it isn’t about risk, it’s about a lack of suitable support or accommodation at the right time.
That’s where Remand Fostering comes in.
What makes this role different?
This type of fostering isn’t about long-term change or fixing everything overnight.
It’s about providing:
- a stable home
- clear boundaries
- a consistent routine
- calm, reliable support
At a time when a young person may feel uncertain or unsettled, that consistency can make a real difference.
Sometimes, it’s the first time they’ve experienced it.
Who this role is for
Remand Fostering is a specialist, full-time role, and it isn’t suited to everyone.
We’re looking for people who:
- have experience supporting young people (for example in youth work, education, residential care, police, probation or fostering)
- can offer a stable and structured home environment
- have a spare bedroom
- are able to travel across the city for appointments, school and court
- bring patience, empathy and resilience
- are available to foster full-time, including stepping in to support other fostering needs when required
If you already work with young people and feel ready for a different kind of challenge, you may already have the skills needed.
What you’ll receive as a Remand Foster Carer
This is a specialist role, and the support reflects that.
Remand Foster Carers receive:
- £937.85 per week (Fee correct at time of publishing – please enquire for our most up-to-date fees)
- specialist training, including PREVENT, PACE and County Lines awareness
- support from Youth Offending Teams, TESS and Forward Thinking Birmingham
- therapeutic support and a dedicated supervising social worker
- 24/7 support, 365 days a year
- clear planning and support for every young person
You won’t be doing this alone.
Find out more about Remand Fostering in Birmingham
If you’re exploring fostering in Birmingham, this could be the right next step.
If you have the experience, the space and the resilience to support a young person at a critical point in their life, we’d love to speak to you.
Join us at our Remand Fostering drop-in event to find out what’s involved, ask questions, and decide whether it’s right for you:
- Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)
- Thursday 18 June 2026
- Drop in anytime between 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Click to book your place, or call our friendly team on 0121 303 7575.
