Faith in fostering
Action for Children Fostering believes that faith groups teach the importance of love, kindness and compassion.
The love and nurture that foster carers give to the young people in their care makes them extra special, as they’re caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
It’s widely believed among faith groups that our life and good deeds here on Earth prepare us for a better afterlife. If you think you could do an amazingly good deed by looking after a vulnerable young person in your home, then we’d love to hear from you. All you need is an open heart and a spare room to change a child’s life for the better.
Attending a place of worship and being part of a larger community group can have many benefits for young people. The community spirit and activities that many faith groups offer can provide additional support to fostering families and may include fun days out as well as having other people and faith group leaders to talk to and share their experience. Read Colin and Marie's story.
Foster carers need to be as diverse as the young people who need them.
Action for Children Fostering welcomes potential foster carers from all religious and cultural groups. The young people we need to find safe and loving homes for are as diverse as the multicultural society that we live in. You don’t need to be perfect to be a foster carer, you just need to be you.
When it comes to fostering, finding the right fit is an important part of the process. We place an emphasis on getting to really know our foster carers, exploring their skills and strengths and pairing them with a child or young person who will thrive in their care. Wherever possible, young people are linked with carers who have a similar cultural identity, values and beliefs. If the fit doesn’t feel right at first, we’ll wait until it does, for everyone.
Children who have a strong identity know who they are and will become confident adults later in life. We understand that children in care can really struggle with their identity and that it's vitally important that they’re supported to feel confident in their beliefs, culture and who they are. Read Shopna's story.
Young people in need of a foster home have often experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. They may have come from somewhere without values, beliefs or a religion to follow.
Encouraging them to learn about the faith of their foster carer can be beneficial as well as learning about other different religions, cultures and traditions.
This could be done in a very simple way, such as holding a ‘faith night’; exploring the various traditions associated with that faith, including prayer, food, clothing, dress, music etc. This would be a really positive way of promoting tolerance, diversity and cultural awareness with your young person.
The young person must be open to this and must be allowed to choose their own path and their own identity. The views of their carers must not be forced upon them.
Religious communities can often feel like an extension of the family and provide support for the whole family.
Fostering can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for everyone involved. There are many benefits to fostering, not only for the foster children themselves, but also for any foster siblings, foster carers and the wider friends, family and community.
A religious community that embraces faith in fostering and supports a fostering family can also share in those rewarding experiences.
Watching a young person grow in confidence and help them achieve their potential is life enhancing and something to be extremely proud of. Fostering and my family.
Support and training
As an Action for Children foster carer you’ll receive professional support, training and guidance throughout your fostering journey. We take care of you so that you can take care of your young person.
A qualified social worker will always be at the other end of the phone if you need advice or support 24/7, all year round. When we explore fostering with you we look at who you are, what your life looks like and how a young person could be themselves in your home. This way we ensure that the support and training we provide is truly shaped around you and your life. We develop with you a tailored training plan, that includes a therapeutic parenting course, to ensure that you’re fully equipped to manage any situation that may arise. With Action for Children Fostering you are never alone, we’re with you every step of the way.
There are lots of different types of foster care that you could do. As well as long-term, full commitment fostering, there are foster carers who provide planned breaks for other foster carers, usually just one weekend a month. This may be something you would consider alongside your full-time job. We can help you decide which type works best for you.
We want you to know that you can afford to care for a young person in your home. Action for Children Fostering provides our carers with a generous weekly fee and allowance typically in the range of £429-£791. This depends on the type of foster care you provide, your location and the age and needs of the young person in your care.
Action for Children has been supporting vulnerable children since 1869. Our organisation was founded by the Reverend Dr Thomas Bowman Stephenson, who was a Methodist minister from the North East of England.
Frequently asked questions
Chat with your local team
We have offices across the UK in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Contact someone local to you by text, WhatsApp, email or phone. Whatever works best for you.
Your local team