Fostering support

To undertake the fulfilling role of being a foster carer, you need to receive the best care and support to make sure that you’re equipped and confident to meet the ongoing needs of the child or young person you’re caring for.

That’s why Action for Children Fostering provides personalised support that is truly shaped around you and your life. We train all of our foster carers to a high standard. We have small caseloads that allows our fostering social workers to give you the time, care and attention that you deserve. With us you’re never alone. Whenever you need advice, guidance or reassurance, we’re there for you.

Our staff are highly trained to meet complex needs. Our child-centred approach takes young people’s trauma into account. Through care and support, we help you to help your young person build resilience and positive relationships.

We provide you with ongoing training, even after you’ve been approved, so that you can continue to develop your skills and knowledge about fostering. Your regular supervision sessions are an opportunity to discuss with your dedicated social worker any additional support or training that you may need.

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. Our team sees you, supports you and is by your side every step of the way.

We believe that the support we give to our foster families is second to none and is available to all family members. All of our foster carers have a dedicated supervising social worker who will provide one-to-one help and advice whenever needed.

We have a 24 hour phone line with a social worker and team manager always on call so you’ll be able to get in touch with us at any time of the day or night.

Action for Children foster carers are supported by a professional team, 24/7 year-round.

“I think it's a massive, massive help that Action for Children Fostering are there morning, noon and night”

Foster Carer

Our regular support groups give foster carers the chance to get together and meet people doing the same amazing thing. They’re facilitated by supervising social workers. From time to time, other team members or guests may attend.

Support groups provide:

• An opportunity for carers to share experiences of fostering and to learn from one another.
• Training opportunities.
• Support, information and advice to carers.
• An arena for discussing new developments, policies or procedures in the service.
• Peer support and friendship.

Most of our services have a ‘buddy system’ where new foster carers are paired up with more experienced people. Often our carers say that talking to others and sharing their experiences is invaluable.

Our fostering ambassadors will also make sure the opinions of our foster carers are heard.

In many of our regions we have access to specialist, independent psychologists. Our foster carers have the opportunity to have regular sessions with a clinical phycologist to discuss any issues they are having on a personal level or with their young person.

In England this service is carried out by Changing Minds UK.

In our other regions, Action for Children Fostering has in-house specialists who are trained to advise and mentor their foster carers in any situation that may arise.

Action for Children Fostering will be with you all the way, supporting you emotionally, financially and with regular training.

We take care of you so that you can take care of your young person. Find out more about our training.