Fostering Explained

Foster care is when a child lives with a kind grown-up who looks after them because their parents are unable to right now. Foster carers help children feel safe, loved, and happy. They make a safe place where you can eat, sleep, play, and go to school.

You can still see the people you love, and there are lots of adults who can help and listen to you. Being in foster care is not your fault. You are special, important, and cared for.

Sometimes parents need help and can't look after their children right now. This might be because they are poorly, need to sort things out, or need some extra support.

Foster carers look after you to keep you safe and happy while your parents get the help they need. This is not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. Grown-ups are working together to help you and your family.

Living with a foster carer can feel different at first, but you'll soon get used to it.

• You'll have your own bed and space for your things

• You'll have yummy meals together

• You'll go to school and play with friends

• There will be rules and routines to help you feel safe

• You can play, have fun, and be yourself!

• Your foster carer will help you with homework, bedtime, and anything you need

Every foster home is different, but all foster carers want you to feel safe, happy, and loved.

Lots of people are here to help you!

• Your foster carer looks after you every day. They give you food, help you get ready for school, play with you, and make sure you're safe and happy.

• Your social worker visits you to check you're okay. They listen to you and help with important decisions.

• Your birth family (your mum, dad, brothers, sisters, or other family) still love you. You might see them during family time.

• Your teachers help you at school and make sure you're learning and having fun.

• Other people like doctors, your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), and support workers all help to keep you safe and well.

You are important and lots of people care about you!

Family time is a safe chance to see people who are important to you. You might visit, talk on the phone, or video call- whatever is safe and agreed by your carers and social workers.

It's okay to feel excited, happy, nervous, or even sad before or after family time. All feelings are normal. Your foster carer and other adults are there to help you before, during, and after. Family time helps you keep connections with the people you love while still being safe and cared for.

You might hear some people call this 'contact'- they are the same thing.

'Long term' means that you will stay living with your foster carer until you are older. Grown-ups have talked together and decided this is the best plan to keep you safe and happy.

Your foster carer will keep looking after you and making lots of lovely memories with you. It's okay to have different feelings about this, and you can always talk to someone you trust.

A short break is when you stay with a different foster family for a little while, and then come back to your main foster carer. The short break carer knows all about you, your hobbies, and what you like to do.

Your foster carer will tell you when the break is happening and you might meet the short break carer before you go. After the break, you'll go back home to your main foster family.

Being in foster care can bring lots of different feelings, and that's okay!

You might feel:

• Happy to have a safe place

• Sad or miss your family

• Confused or worried

• Excited about new things

• Angry or upset sometimes

All of these feelings are normal and okay. It's good to talk about how you feel with your foster carer, social worker, or another trusted adult. They can help you feel better.

Sometimes children move to different foster homes. This might happen because:

• You need to live closer to your family

• The foster carer can't look after you anymore

• A better home has been found for you

If you move homes, it's not your fault. Grown-ups will help you understand why and make sure you're okay. They'll help you pack your things and meet your new foster carer. It's okay to feel worried or sad about moving. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel.

You'll still go to school when you're in foster care!

• Your foster carer will help you get ready for school each day

• They'll take you to school or help you get there

• You can still see your friends and teachers

• If you move foster homes, sometimes you might stay at the same school, or you might go to a new school

• Your teachers and foster carer will help you with homework

• School is a place to learn, play, and have fun!

If you're worried about school, talk to your foster carer or teacher. They're there to help you.