Tips for Foster Carers

What therapeutic support is available in foster care?
Children and young people in foster care are some of the most vulnerable members of society….

Ways the internet can benefit foster carers and children
Regardless of your views on the internet, it can often be a force for good, helping to improve people’s lives through providing…

Boosting and improving a foster child’s communication skills
Many children and young people who enter foster care struggle to express themselves. It is the role of a foster carer to…

Fostering as a pet owner – what you need to know
If you are considering becoming a foster carer and have, or are thinking of getting, a pet, you might be wondering if…

What is an independent fostering agency?
The definition of an independent fostering agency is a private business that is established to supply a secure and loving home for…

Celebrating spring with your foster family
Many religious festivals take place in the Springtime, from Easter to Ramadan and Passover….

How to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr with a Muslim foster child
The end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is marked by Eid-al-Fitr. Expected to happen on 30 or 31…

Overcoming language barriers in foster care
While there are many children in the UK with English as their first language who require foster care, this isn’t always so….

What is parent and child fostering?
In some cases, a parent can need some extra support and guidance to raise their baby within a safe and secure environment….

How to help your foster children develop positive relationships with siblings
As a foster carer, your role is to help children in foster care and provide them with support they cannot get from…

Celebrating Mother’s Day as a foster carer
Mother’s Day is a day for celebrating mothers and maternal figures, and the role they play in people’s lives….

Ideas for celebrating Easter with your foster children
Spring is coming, and with it comes Easter. Traditionally a Christian holiday to remember Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, it has since evolved…

Religious festivals to celebrate with your foster family
Throughout the month of March and April, many religious communities hold celebrations….

Upcoming dates to raise awareness of disability in the fostering community
This month, there are several days dedicated to the disabled community and raising awareness of conditions that affect the daily lives of…

How understanding LGBTQ+ history can help fostering communities
The history of LGBTQ+ individuals encompasses a rich tapestry of experiences, achievements and struggles that span centuries and cultures….

Building a sense of self in foster children
Children and young people who are in foster care can have a difficult time with figuring out and establishing who they are….

Supporting a foster child’s self-esteem and confidence
Children and young people who are in foster care often struggle with their self-esteem and self-confidence. When they have to leave their…

Bonding activities to do with foster children
When welcoming a foster child into your home, you will seek to create a familial bond with them and make them feel…

Fostering friendly businesses – what you need to know
If you are considering fostering, or are already a foster carer, you might be wondering if it is possible to have a…

Holiday location ideas for foster families
All children deserve to have a childhood filled with the best experiences – especially if they have had a difficult start in…

How to inspire creativity in your foster child
Earlier this month marked National Storytelling Week, which was run by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Amazon….

Celebrating Valentine’s Day as a foster family
The 14th of February is Valentine’s Day – and while this has traditionally been about romance and couples, it has expanded in…

How do I build trust with my foster child?
Children and young people that enter foster care often come from homes and families of origin that were/are unstable and chaotic….

How fostering can affect carers with existing families
Fostering is open to people of all backgrounds, family structures and walks of life if they have a spare room and are…

How to take care of a foster child’s textured hair
The number of Black fostering families is disproportionate to the number of Black children in foster care. This often results in these…

What disqualifies you from being a foster parent?
To protect children and young people in foster care, potential foster parents must be rigorously checked. While most people looking to provide…

What is parentification of children?
Many children who enter foster care come from backgrounds and upbringings where their parents and other adults failed to meet their needs…
How to help your child keep their new year resolutions
The new year is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings – and with these come new year’s resolutions….

What is blocked fostering, and what how to work through it
Blocked fostering refers to a carer becoming disengaged with looking after their children – due to stress or exhaustion, for example….

How to support your foster child during the first night in their new home
The first night that a foster child spends in their new home is often the most difficult – not just for them,…

Preparing foster children for returning to school in the new year
After the festivities and fun of Christmas comes the inevitable wind down in the new year….

Tips for your first Christmas with your foster child
For many children, Christmas represents a thrilling season characterised by gifts, festive decorations, and cherished moments with family. However, this experience can…

The first week in a foster home – what you need to know
Moving into a new home and a new setting can be a challenging time for children in foster care, whether it is…

Fostering Christian children – what do I need to know?
Whether or not you are a follower of religion as well as a foster carer, you might find that you are fostering…

Will fostering impact my benefits?
Can you foster whilst receiving benefits? Yes, it is indeed possible to foster while receiving benefits, and this should not hinder your…

Cultural and religious holidays taking place in December
With December comes Christmas – the time of year where families get together to share gifts and good food, among other things….

Managing finances as a foster carer
All foster parents receive an allowance from their fostering agency or local authority to cover basic expenses for their foster child. This…

Foster care – are other adults allowed in the home?
Whether you are planning to foster as a single person, or as part of a couple, you might be wondering if there…

Introducing your foster child to your extended family
Most of us have some extended family, and if you are fostering or considering becoming a foster carer, you might be wondering…

Should foster children have contact with their families of origin?
As a foster carer, you can expect the child or children you are looking after to have occasional contact with their biological…

Getting your foster children into the Christmas spirit!
Christmas is a time for celebration, coming together and festivities. However, for foster children, it can also be a challenging time of…

The impacts of entering the care system
Entering foster care can be life changing for children and young people who cannot live with their families of origin….

Opportunities for children and young people in care
If you are fostering a child, or considering becoming a foster carer, you might be wondering about the role that organisations such…

Fostering as a single parent
In the UK today, there are many foster parents who are married, in long-term relationships or co-habiting, but this is by no…

Tips for fostering teenagers
Teenage years are times of change and growth. From hormonal shifts and physical and mental development to academic decisions, young people need…

The truth about children and young people in foster care
Many misconceptions surround children and young people living in foster care. Not having the best start in life can lead to their…

Challenging stigmas regarding adoption
Adoption is a way of providing a child with a permanent, loving home if their biological families can’t look after them for…

Support when transitioning from fostering to adoption
If you are considering fostering, or are already involved in the endeavour, you may be wondering if you can adopt a child…

National Adoption Month – what you need to know
November marks National Adoption Month, which seeks to celebrate and raise awareness of adoption and the families involved….

What you need to know about hyperlexia
Hyperlexia is a self-taught ability to read well before the age of five – usually when the child is two or three…