Cultivating a welcoming environment for a foster child

When a child enters a new foster home, it is imperative for their foster carer(s) to create a welcoming environment they feel comfortable in.

Read on to find out how you can create an inviting home environment.

Decorate their bedroom

As they will be spending a significant amount of time in this part of the home, you should ensure that spare bedroom is set up adequately for your foster child – not just in the practical sense, but also in terms of aesthetics.

After their arrival, encourage them to personalise it with whatever belongings they might already have, and consider their interests and hobbies as well.

Provide a nurturing environment

Ensure that your foster child feels a sense of belonging in your home, by assuring them they are now part of the family.

This is particularly important if there are other children in the household. Reassure them that they can come to you for anything that they need.

It can be a good idea to create a schedule of the day’s activities to provide a sense of structure for the child, so they know what to expect from each day.

Seek to educate

Whether in their bedroom or the communal area of the home, make sure that your foster child has a designated area for their academic pursuits.

A desk and table, combined with shelves, is good for storing books and folders.

Additional involvement in your child’s school life is also crucial; make sure that you are up to date on their extracurricular and academic activities.

To become part of the Beacon Fostering family, contact us today.