Foster with us
I’ve Never Had My Own Children – Can I Foster?
Many people wonder if they can foster a child without having raised children of their own. The good news is yes –…
Things To Do As A Foster Family During Lent
Lent can be a meaningful time for reflection, routine and kindness in a foster family, whether or not you are practicing Christians….
Things To Do As A Foster Family On Valentine’s
Valentine’s Day can be a lovely opportunity for a foster family to focus on love, belonging and positive relationships, not just romantic…
Listening to Children’s Voices in Foster Care: Putting Children at the Heart of Everything We Do
At Beacon Fostering we believe that listening to children’s voices is fundamental to good foster care. Children and young people in care…
How to Plan Festive Activities with Your Foster Child
The festive season is a wonderful opportunity for foster carers to create positive memories, deepen connections and nurture a sense of belonging…
Improving Communication Between Foster Carer and Foster Child
Strong communication is at the heart of every successful fostering relationship. For a foster child – who may have faced trauma, loss…
Supporting Your Foster Child Through a Challenging Period
Every child in foster care carries a unique story, shaped by experiences that often include trauma, uncertainty and disrupted attachments. Because of…
Creative Life Skills – Teaching Independent Living To Older Foster Children
Preparing older foster children for independent living is one of the most important and rewarding responsibilities that foster carers and fostering agencies…
Using Arts and Craft to Build Trust with Foster Children
Building trust with a foster child is one of the most important – and sometimes most challenging – aspects of fostering. Many…
Importance of a Back-Up Foster Carer and Your Support Network
When you start your fostering journey, you quickly discover that fostering children and young people brings immense rewards and unique challenges. As…
Spooky Fun: Creating Safe and Memorable Halloween Plans with Foster Children
Halloween is a wonderful opportunity for foster carers to create lasting memories with their foster children. It’s a time to celebrate creativity,…
Black History Month and Fostering: Celebrating Heritage, Building Belonging
Each October, we celebrate Black History Month – a time to honour the incredible achievements, resilience, and cultural contributions of Black people…
Mockingbird Model and Fostering: Building Stronger Communities for Foster Carers
Fostering is an incredibly rewarding journey, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Many foster carers say that one of the hardest…
The importance of culture in fostering unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
When an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child or young person arrives in the UK, they have often faced loss, trauma, and uncertainty. Foster care…
Foster Carers Required to Support Teenagers in Stoke-On-Trent
There continues to be a shortage of foster carers across England and this includes locally in Stoke-on-Trent. Children in care numbers for…
Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Foster Care: Practical Approaches and Understanding
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…
Supporting Birth Family Contact: Navigating Visits, Emotions & Boundaries
Maintaining safe contact with birth families can be incredibly important for foster children, but also emotionally complex. Foster carers play a crucial…
Outdoor Play & Nature Time: Harnessing Local Green Spaces to Support Wellbeing
Being a foster carer in the North West offers you wonderful opportunities to connect foster children with inspiring green spaces close to…
What to Expect in Your First Week as a Foster Carer
Starting strong in your fostering journey The first week of fostering can feel overwhelming—but it’s also the foundation for a meaningful relationship….
Ofsted Registration
Beacon Fostering is successfully registered with Ofsted as an approved independent fostering agency. Our official Ofsted provider record (URN 2793200) confirms that we…
Foster Care Fortnight Day 11: Reasons to Foster with Beacon Fostering
In the heart of the UK’s social care system, foster carers play a vital role in providing vulnerable children with the safety,…
Foster Care Fortnight Day 10: UK Celebrities Who Grew Up in Foster Care
At Beacon Fostering, we know that growing up in foster care can present enormous challenges – but we also know it can…
Foster Care Fortnight Day 8: Apply to Become a Foster Carer with Beacon Fostering – Or Transfer to Join The Beacon Fostering Family Family
Are you passionate about making a difference in a child’s life? Whether you’re new to fostering or an experienced carer looking for…
Foster Care Fortnight Day 7: Types of Fostering
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….
Foster Care Fortnight Day 6: Everyday Fostering Plans: Creating Stability in a Fostering Household
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….
Foster Care Fortnight Day 2: Fostering Myths vs Facts
Fostering is a vital component of the UK’s child welfare system, providing care and stability to thousands of children in need. However,…
Siblings in foster care – keeping children together
When children come into care, this is a challenging time and can be difficult for many. This is why the family bonds…
Supporting a Foster Child’s Education: A Guide for Beacon Fostering Families
Education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future, and as a foster parent, you are a key part of that…
Embracing Faith in Fostering: Respecting Beliefs and Creating a Supportive Home
Faith can be a deeply personal and powerful source of strength—especially during life’s more challenging moments. For many people entering the world…
What Should My Foster Child Call Me?
It’s best to introduce yourself using the name you want the youngster to call you when they first arrive at your house….
Beacon Fostering Secure Sponsorship With Local Football Club
We are delighted to announce that we have agreed to sponsor local grassroots football team in Manchester, Withington Wanderers F.C. Withington Wanderers…
Horse Therapy Benefits for Children and Young People in Foster Care
Today is Gold Cup day at Cheltenham Races! Horses can have a great impact on children and young people living in foster…
Lloyd Kelly: Foster Care Story
From Foster Care to playing Champions League Football for Juventus in Turin. This is Lloyd Kelly’s story. Many people will know Lloyd…
Support Networks for Foster Carers
Numerous foster carers have access to their own support systems, which are composed of friends, family, and contacts in the local community….
Can You Foster a Child if You Have a Dog?
Many people have misconceptions about pets and fostering, particularly regarding the kinds of animals that are acceptable in homes. However, what is…
Coffee and Fostering Information Session, 30th January in Wythenshawe!
Beacon Fostering are hosting a coffee & fostering information session in Wythenshawe on Thursday 30th January 2025 If you are interested in…
Foster Carer Recruitment Targets
Seventy-five percent of the 100,437 children in care in the UK today reside with foster families. Due to the inability to find…
Personal development and training with Beacon Fostering
We place a high priority on the training and personal growth of every Beacon Fostering caregiver. An annual training plan that builds…
Beacon Fostering: Meet the team!
At Beacon Fostering, we have a real family ethos as we strive for our foster carers to feel as though they are…
Coffee and Fostering Information Session, 23rd January in Liverpool!
Beacon Fostering are hosting a coffee and fostering information session in Liverpool on Tuesday 23rd January. If you are interested in fostering…
How can friends and family support foster carers?
If you are considering fostering, you might be curious about the involvement of friends and family within the household. Can they participate…
Merry Christmas from Beacon Fostering
Merry Christmas from all the team at Beacon Fostering! Christmas is a great time to not only consider fostering but also to…
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…
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…
Emergency foster care
What is emergency fostering? Emergency fostering refers to the placement of children who are at an immediate risk into temporary foster care…
Beacon Sporting Chance
At Beacon Fostering our team are extremely passionate about sport and we believe that every child deserves an equal opportunity to take…
Fostering in TV & Film
For many years, TV series and films have featured themes related to fostering and foster care. These TV shows and films have…
Fostering Myths
There are many misconceptions when it comes to fostering. During this blog, we are going to debunk some common fostering myths! Myth…
What is Respite Fostering?
Respite fostering gives other foster parents or birth families a temporary, much-needed break. By becoming a respite foster carer, you enable a…
Why is there a shortage of foster carers?
Across the country we have experienced a loss of over 1,000 fostering households in the last 18 months. It is commonly known…