News

Valentine’s Day can be a lovely opportunity for a foster family to focus on love, belonging and positive relationships, not just romantic partnerships. For children in foster care, days that …

February is still winter, but it’s full of opportunities for foster families to connect, have fun, and build strong bonds. Shorter days and cooler weather make it a wonderful time …

Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable, but it also comes with challenges that no one should face alone. That’s why having a strong support network is vital …

Education plays a huge role in every foster child’s development, but it can also come with challenges. Many children enter foster care after experiencing disruption, missed schooling, or emotional stress. …

Mindfulness is an increasingly valuable tool for supporting the emotional wellbeing of children and young people, particularly those in foster care. Many children entering foster placements have experienced trauma, loss, …

Social media plays a major role in the lives of children and young people today, and TikTok is one of the most popular platforms. For foster parents, managing TikTok use …

The Care Leaver Covenant is a national commitment designed to improve the lives of young people leaving care. For foster carers, fostering agencies, and professionals working in children’s services, understanding …

Every child in foster care is unique. Some may need extra support at school, others emotional understanding, and many will need flexibility as their needs change over time. Inclusive, child-centred …

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, …