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New National Focus on Fostering: Who You Are Is Just What They Need

A new national fostering recruitment initiative has been launched to help raise awareness of fostering and encourage more people to consider making a difference to the lives of children and young people who need safe, stable, and loving homes.

At Action for Children Fostering, we welcome any opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vital role foster carers play in transforming lives. Across the UK, thousands of children need foster families, yet many people automatically rule themselves out because they believe they do not fit a particular mould.

The reality is that fostering is about providing care, stability, understanding, and encouragement through everyday moments. Whether it's helping with homework, sharing family meals, celebrating achievements or simply being there on a difficult day, foster carers have the power to help children feel safe, valued, and supported.

That's why our message is simple: Who You Are Is Just What They Need.

Action for Children Fostering wording, who you are is just what they need.

We celebrate individuality

Carer with a foster child on his shoulders flying a kite, reflecting the happiness fostering can bring

Every child is different, and so are our foster carers. We welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and family circumstances. What matters most is your ability to provide a nurturing home and a commitment to helping a child thrive.

As a children's charity and not-for-profit fostering agency, every decision we make is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and supporting the foster families who care for them. Our approach is built around our promise of Support Shaped Around You, providing foster carers with tailored training, guidance, and practical support throughout every stage of their fostering journey.

Making a difference

Friendly family dinner with two foster siblings, reflecting belonging and stability in England

Colette Ferns, Head of Fostering at Action for Children Fostering, said:

"Fostering is one of the most rewarding ways to make a difference to a child's life. Every day, our foster carers help children build confidence, develop trusting relationships, and belief in their future.

At Action for Children Fostering, we know there is no such thing as a 'perfect' foster carer. What children need are caring, committed people who can provide stability, understanding and encouragement. That's why our message is 'Who You Are Is Just What They Need'.

As a charity and not-for-profit fostering agency, our focus is always on children and the foster families who support them. Through our 'Support Shaped Around You' approach, we work alongside carers every step of the way, providing personalised support, specialist expertise and a strong community to help them succeed. Together, we can give more children the safe, loving homes they deserve."

Discover Action for Children Fostering

Two foster carers laughing with their social worker, showing trust, connection and genuine support

At Action for Children Fostering, we know that one of the biggest reasons people don't explore fostering is because they believe they need to be perfect.

The truth is simple: we wouldn't expect you to be.

That's the message at the heart of our latest film. It is an honest reflection on what fostering is really about. Not being perfect. Not fitting a particular mould. Simply being yourself.

The you who is single, married, divorced, widowed, or somewhere in between.

The you with children, without children, or with a house full of pets.

The you with life experience, patience, compassion, and a desire to make a difference.

Fostering is about recognising that every child is different, and every foster carer is too. At Action for Children Fostering, we celebrate individuality; yours and theirs. We believe that every child deserves a family environment where they can thrive, and every foster carer brings something unique that can help make that happen.

Our role is to bring the two together.

There is no pressure, no expectation to have all the answers.

Who You Are Is Just What They Need.

All we ask is that you bring yourself. We'll bring the training, guidance, and Support Shaped Around You that helps you foster with confidence and in a way that works for your life.

Watch our film to hear more about Action for Children Fostering and discover how ordinary people, simply by being themselves, can make an extraordinary difference to a child's future.

To find out more about how you could foster visit: Become a foster carer

Or download our free beginners guide to fostering: Download

Hear how the care, support and encouragement of foster carers helped change the course of Brad Kella's life: Watch his inspiring story

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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.

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