We are starting 2026 with some incredibly exciting news! At Lighthouse Fostering, we have spent over a decade building a community dedicated to supporting foster carers and changing children's lives. Now, we are thrilled to announce a significant step in our journey: the opening of our brand new local office in Heathfield, East Sussex. This expansion marks a wonderful new chapter for us, allowing us to extend our specialist support to even more families in the region.
For over 10 years, Lighthouse Fostering has been committed to providing exceptional, therapeutic-led support to foster carers across Kent and the South East. Our growth has always been driven by a simple goal: to create more safe, loving, and healing homes for children who need them most. The decision to open a dedicated Heathfield office is a direct response to the growing need for high-quality foster care in East Sussex. We are excited to bring our established, supportive approach to this wonderful community.
This new base will serve as a hub for both new and existing foster carers in the area. It will enable us to offer more localised training, more accessible support, and a stronger community presence for families in Heathfield and the surrounding towns and villages.
Over a Decade of Exceptional Fostering Support
Choosing a fostering agency is a significant decision. You need a partner who not only understands the complexities of fostering but also values and supports you as an individual. With over 10 years of experience, Lighthouse Fostering has a proven track record of providing exactly that.
Our approach is built on a therapeutic model that equips carers with the skills and understanding needed to care for children who have experienced trauma. We believe that by investing in our carers, we are investing in the futures of the children they look after. This philosophy is at the heart of everything we do, and it is what we are bringing to our new East Sussex community.
Our commitment to outstanding fostering support includes:
- Comprehensive Training: We offer a rich and varied training programme, from foundational therapeutic parenting courses to specialist workshops on topics like neurodiversity and mental health.
- 24/7 Professional Support: Our carers are never alone. Our dedicated team, including qualified social workers, is always just a phone call away, day or night.
- Therapeutic-Led Approach: We have an in-house therapy team that provides direct support, guidance, and resources to our carers and the children in their care.
- A Strong Community: We foster a real sense of community through regular support groups, social events, and peer-to-peer mentoring.
The opening of our Heathfield office means that this comprehensive support network is now more accessible than ever for residents of East Sussex.
The Growing Need for Foster Care in East Sussex
Across the UK, there is a critical shortage of foster carers. In East Sussex, like many other areas, there are children and young people right now who are waiting for a safe and nurturing home. These children come from all backgrounds and have a diverse range of needs. They may be young children, teenagers, sibling groups, or children with additional needs. What they all have in common is the need for a stable, caring adult to believe in them.
By becoming a foster carer, you can make a profound and lasting difference in your local community. You can provide the stability, care, and encouragement that helps a child to heal, grow, and reach their full potential. The opening of our new office is a commitment to helping meet this need locally. We want to recruit and support local people to care for local children, helping them to stay in their communities, close to their schools and friends.
Are You Considering Fostering?
If you live in Heathfield or the wider East Sussex area and have ever thought about fostering, now is the perfect time to explore it further. Perhaps you have a spare room and love in your heart. Maybe your own children have grown up and you have the time and experience to give to another child. Or perhaps you are simply looking for a new, deeply rewarding challenge.
Whatever your circumstances, if you have patience, resilience, and a desire to make a difference, you could have the core qualities of a fantastic foster carer. You do not need to be a parenting expert; we provide all the training and support you will need.
At Lighthouse Fostering, we welcome applications from people from all walks of life. Whether you are single, married, in a same-sex relationship, a homeowner or renting, employed or not, we would love to hear from you. Your life experience is your greatest asset.
Already Fostering? Consider a Change
We know that many dedicated foster carers are already working hard across East Sussex. If you are an existing carer who feels you could benefit from a more supportive, community-focused agency, we invite you to have a confidential, no-obligation chat with us.
Transferring to a new agency is often more straightforward than people think, even if you have a child in placement. We have a simple, supportive protocol designed to make the transition as smooth as possible for you and, most importantly, for the child in your care. Many carers who have moved to us speak of the positive change they have experienced by joining our therapeutic community.
Join Our Lighthouse Fostering Family in 2026
The opening of our new Heathfield office is more than just a new building; it is a new opportunity. It is an opportunity for the people of East Sussex to provide vital care for children in their community, and an opportunity for us to support them every step of the way.
This is your chance to be part of a new beginning and make 2026 the year you start an incredible new journey. If you are ready to make a real difference, we are ready to support you.
Contact us today to learn more about joining the Lighthouse Fostering family. We cannot wait to hear from you and welcome you to our new East Sussex hub.