News

Online life is now part of everyday childhood. For children in foster care, the digital world can offer connection, creativity and learning - but it can also present risks. Supporting …

At Beacon Fostering we believe that listening to children’s voices is fundamental to good foster care. Children and young people in care have often experienced significant change and uncertainty, and …

At Beacon Fostering, we celebrate and champion every foster carer, every fostering household, and every foster placement - especially as the latest national statistics show important trends shaping foster care …

Feeling adequately supported as a foster carer is essential for your well-being and for providing stable, nurturing foster care for children in your home. This blog explores what “good support” …

A fostering application form is the first formal step in becoming an approved foster carer with a fostering agency. It captures key information about you, your household and your motivation …

The festive season is a wonderful opportunity for foster carers to create positive memories, deepen connections and nurture a sense of belonging within the fostering household. But planning Christmas activities …

Strong communication is at the heart of every successful fostering relationship. For a foster child - who may have faced trauma, loss or instability - feeling heard, understood and valued …

Every child in foster care carries a unique story, shaped by experiences that often include trauma, uncertainty and disrupted attachments. Because of this, foster carers play a vital role in …

Christmas is a magical time of year, filled with warmth, connection and opportunities to create cherished memories. For foster carers, the festive season can also bring unique considerations as you …

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most meaningful and rewarding decisions someone can make. Foster carers play a vital role in giving vulnerable children a safe, nurturing, and …

Stepping into the world of fostering for the very first time is both exciting and life-changing. Many people choose to foster because they want to make a positive difference, offer …

It’s common for a foster child to feel sad, unsure, or distant during their early days in a new home. These feelings are usually a natural part of adjusting and …

For many foster families, keeping to a budget is a daily reality, so finding low-cost ways to spend meaningful time together really matters. Budget-friendly family activities give children in care …

Discount cards and benefits for foster carers play a huge role in recognising the incredible commitment foster families make every day. For many people considering fostering, understanding the financial support, …

Life story work is an essential part of foster care and plays a vital role in helping children and young people understand their past, make sense of their present, and …

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding journeys a person can take, but it also comes with challenges that require guidance, understanding, and ongoing support. At Beacon …

Preparing older foster children for independent living is one of the most important and rewarding responsibilities that foster carers and fostering agencies can undertake. At Beacon Fostering, we believe that …

Building trust with a foster child is one of the most important - and sometimes most challenging - aspects of fostering. Many children in the foster care system have experienced …

As the days get shorter and the temperatures dip, it’s vital for foster carers to prepare their homes for winter. Creating a warm, safe, and welcoming environment is essential for …

When you start your fostering journey, you quickly discover that fostering children and young people brings immense rewards and unique challenges. As a foster carer, having a strong support network …

Supporting children and young people in care to manage their money is an essential part of preparing them for adult life. As a foster carer, helping a child learn about …

Bonfire Night is a fantastic opportunity for foster families to create memorable experiences and strengthen bonds through fun, safe activities. At Beacon Fostering, we understand how important it is to …

Halloween is a wonderful opportunity for foster carers to create lasting memories with their foster children. It’s a time to celebrate creativity, community, and belonging - all of which are …

At Beacon Fostering, we are proud to be part of a wider family of fostering excellence through our close connection with Sunbeam Fostering Agency. Sunbeam Fostering is our parent company …

When a child enters a new foster home, almost everything changes - including how, when, and what they eat. For many foster children, mealtimes can bring up powerful emotions. As …

Each October, we celebrate Black History Month - a time to honour the incredible achievements, resilience, and cultural contributions of Black people throughout history. For those of us in the …

Fostering is an incredibly rewarding journey, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Many foster carers say that one of the hardest parts of fostering is the feeling of doing …

Fostering is one of the most rewarding roles there is, offering children a safe, stable, and loving home when they need it most. But being a foster carer also brings …

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, autumn offers a wonderful opportunity for foster carers and children to share memorable experiences together. In foster care, these seasonal moments …

Making a Warm Welcome in Foster Care When a child arrives in foster care, those first moments in a new home are crucial. A warm, safe and thoughtful welcome helps …

When an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child or young person arrives in the UK, they have often faced loss, trauma, and uncertainty. Foster care provides them with stability, safety and hope. But …

The care planning for each child or young person in foster care will cover the plan relating to their school or college transport arrangements and also, where relevant, for contact …

Following the agency’s Ofsted registration in May earlier this year, we are now really pleased to have held our second fostering panel. This is to approve new carers that have …

The contact for the birth family, of child or young person in fostering, is an important area and should be supported. That is unless there is a reason for them …

There continues to be a shortage of foster carers across England and this includes locally in Stoke-on-Trent. Children in care numbers for Stoke are at 1,094 (at December 2024) and …

Introduction Being a foster carer provides you with an amazing opportunity to support a child or young person in your own home. This is when a child or young person …

Background Being a foster carer presents an amazing opportunity to support a child or young person and make a difference to their life and future. The number of children in …

Beacon Fostering are delighted to welcome our newest recruit, as Carolyn Williams joins the Beacon Fostering family! Carolyn has written a few words below about her previous experiences and explains …

Fostering a neurodivergent child—such as one with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences—requires extra understanding, flexibility, and advocacy. But it’s also an opportunity to provide life-changing stability and acceptance. What …

Maintaining safe contact with birth families can be incredibly important for foster children, but also emotionally complex. Foster carers play a crucial role in supporting these connections while protecting the …

Being a foster carer in the North West offers you wonderful opportunities to connect foster children with inspiring green spaces close to home - places such as Beacon Fell Country …

Starting strong in your fostering journey The first week of fostering can feel overwhelming—but it’s also the foundation for a meaningful relationship. Whether it’s your first placement or your fifth, …

Therapeutic fostering is a specialist form of foster care that provides extra support for children who have experienced significant trauma, neglect, or emotional challenges. These children may struggle with trust, …

Owning a home is not a requirement  One of the most common myths about fostering is that you need to own your home. The truth? Many incredible foster carers rent …

Beacon Fostering held our most recent panel on 23rd June 2025, and we’re really pleased to report it was a resounding positive success - thanks to the expertise and dedication of …

Beacon Fostering is successfully registered with Ofsted as an approved independent fostering agency. Our official Ofsted provider record (URN 2793200) confirms that we meet all regulatory requirements and are fully operational …

In today’s world, many foster children arrive with smartphones, social media accounts, or access to gaming platforms. For carers, understanding digital safety is now as important as managing routines or …

We are really pleased to be attending Blackpool Job Fair this coming Friday 13 June. This is a local event to promote opportunities and we hope to encourage people to …

In the heart of the UK’s social care system, foster carers play a vital role in providing vulnerable children with the safety, stability, and support they need to thrive. Yet, …

At Beacon Fostering, we know that growing up in foster care can present enormous challenges - but we also know it can be the beginning of a story filled with …