fostering

'The biggest challenge is what you don’t know’

Veronica has been a foster carer for almost 12 years. Together with her husband, she currently cares for two young women, one of which is an asylum seeking teenager who arrived in the UK all by herself when she was 16. In this blog Veronica tells us what this is like and why the two women are such a good match.

All names in this blog have been changed for anonymity.

Keeping precious memories safe

Petrina Banfield is a writer and foster carer whose passion for adoption and fostering was shaped by the discovery that her father was an identical twin who had been separated
from his siblings during the Second World War. It was her father's experience of growing up in care that led her to become a foster carer in 2003.

Her fostering service has introduced a letter writing scheme from foster carers to the children they are looking after. Here she explains how the scheme works and some top tips for letter writing.

Breaking the chain

Jacqueline Heaney - Senior Supervising Social Worker at Integrated Fostering Service.

In her first blog Jacqueline talks about how she became a supervising social worker including her time in care and job as a DJ.

Making a difference

Richard is a single male gay foster carer who lives in London. This blog post was submittd some time back, but the messages undoubtedly remain the same.

What's in a name?

This blog is a true story, told bravely and passionately, by an anonymous young person in foster care.

Attracting and Keeping Carers - May 2014 part II

There seems to be no let-up in the pace of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight activity, typified by the excellent work you’re doing in your local communities. Our media monitoring systems are reporting over 700 pieces of coverage across the UK. Many of you have been in touch telling me of activities still to come, so we may hit and surpass the magical 1,000 mark!

Attracting and Keeping Carers - April 2014

I start this month’s blog the day after April Fools’ Day, so rest assured that this month’s AKC blog is wind-up free… although I'm sure some will beg to differ!

Thank you for walking the difference

The Fostering Network would like to thank everyone who came to Walk the Difference along the River Thames yesterday, and everyone who kindly sponsored and supported the walkers.

“The difference that a good foster parent can make is world changing”: Ashley Baptiste on growing up in care