News

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 …

In the UK, the fostering system comprises two primary types of providers: local authorities (LAs) and independent fostering agencies like ourselves (IFAs). Both play crucial roles in the care and …

Are you passionate about making a difference in a child’s life? Whether you're new to fostering or an experienced carer looking for a fresh start, Beacon Fostering is here to …

Fostering isn’t a one-size-fits-all arrangement. Children and young people in care come from diverse backgrounds and have different needs—emotional, physical, and practical. That’s why fostering in the UK is offered …

Fostering isn’t just about big decisions—it’s about the daily routines, small wins, and consistent care that help children feel secure and valued. For fostering families in the UK, everyday fostering …

Ready for a Q&A Session? Join Us Today! Are you curious about fostering with Beacon Fostering? Well, today is your chance to get all your questions answered! We’re hosting a …

7 Powerful Reasons to Foster Children Every child deserves the chance to feel safe, loved, and supported. Yet thousands of children across the UK enter the care system each year …

On Foster Care Fortnight Day 3, we are focusing on inclusivity in Fostering! At Beacon Fostering, we’re proud to work with foster families from a wide range of backgrounds across …

Fostering is a vital component of the UK's child welfare system, providing care and stability to thousands of children in need. However, misconceptions about fostering can deter potential carers and …

It's Foster Care Fortnight - the UK’s biggest awareness raising campaign for fostering! Over the next two weeks from the 12-25th May, Beacon Fostering will be celebrating our fantastic foster …

On Wednesday 14th May, members of Beacon Fostering's recruitment team will be attending a job's fair, led by The Bridge, held at Bet 365 Stadium in Stoke. At Beacon Fostering, …

Our foster carer recruitment team, led by Jack Gill, recently attended Liverpool Job Fair on Friday 2 May. This was held at Anfield Football Ground, home of the Premier League …

With the new tax year having started recently from 6 April 2025, the new increased minimum fostering allowances for children and young persons are now effective. The fostering allowances have …

When children come into care, this is a challenging time and can be difficult for many. This is why the family bonds that siblings have together are so important. They …

Education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future, and as a foster parent, you are a key part of that journey. While there may be obstacles along the …

Faith can be a deeply personal and powerful source of strength—especially during life’s more challenging moments. For many people entering the world of fostering, religion may offer comfort, guidance, and …

Easter is a special time of year for many families—an uplifting celebration filled with faith, tradition, and togetherness. Church services, Easter egg hunts, chocolate treats, and family meals all come …

Children and young people in foster care are some of the most vulnerable members of society. While foster carers can provide them with a loving, stable environment, having mentors is …

Regardless of your views on the internet, it can often be a force for good, helping to improve people’s lives through providing information, routes, games and tools for everyday life. …

Many children and young people who enter foster care struggle to express themselves. It is the role of a foster carer to help give them a voice or an outlet …

If you are considering becoming a foster carer and have, or are thinking of getting, a pet, you might be wondering if you are able to look after it while …

In 2024, 83,630 children and young people were in foster care in England - otherwise known as being looked after by local authorities. Although this was 0.5% less than the …

The definition of an independent fostering agency is a private business that is established to supply a secure and loving home for young people and children. While agencies work with …

Many religious festivals take place in the Springtime, from Easter to Ramadan and Passover. However, if you a non-religious foster carer, you might be curious about secular celebrations for spring. …

The end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is marked by Eid-al-Fitr. Expected to happen on 30 or 31 March this year, Muslims visit friends and relatives …

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

In your role as a foster parent, you can actively support homework, which will benefit your child's academic trajectory. Giving homework advice can improve your relationship with younger children, who …

In some cases, a parent can need some extra support and guidance to raise their baby within a safe and secure environment. To help, parent and child foster carers provide …

As a foster carer, your role is to help children in foster care and provide them with support they cannot get from their families of origin. You could be fostering …

Mother’s Day is a day for celebrating mothers and maternal figures, and the role they play in people’s lives. However, this is often a difficult day for children in foster …

It's best to introduce yourself using the name you want the youngster to call you when they first arrive at your house. As soon as the foster child and the …

Spring is coming, and with it comes Easter. Traditionally a Christian holiday to remember Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, it has since evolved to bring in various traditions across denominations, and …