Three things social workers want you to know about fostering

We asked Barnardo’s fostering social and project workers to share things they’d like people to understand about fostering, from the support you’ll receive, to the emotional realities, to what happens when children move on. Fostering can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. We believe being open about both is essential in helping people decide whether fostering is right for them.

A common worry about fostering is feeling like you’ll be left to cope on your own. In reality, our support is central to how fostering with us works.

“A foster carer’s relationship with their social worker is built on connection and a shared goal,” explains Sarah, a Family Placement Social Worker with Barnardo’s. Social Workers like Sarah support foster carers and the children in their care, helping to create safe, stable and nurturing foster homes. They get to know each carer’s strengths and needs, offer guidance and training, and are there to listen and help when challenges arise. Working closely with foster carers, children, birth families and other professionals, they help make sure children feel supported and care plans stay on track, so every child has the best chance to thrive.

When you foster with us you’ll have regular, scheduled meetings with your social worker. These are two-way conversations focusing on the child's needs, your wellbeing, training and development and any challenges or progress. Alongside this you’ll also have informal phone calls and visits, so support doesn’t feel distant or purely administrative. If things become difficult, emergency advice is always available and, where needed, short break care can be arranged.

You’re also part of a wider community. We run a buddy system linking new foster carers with someone more experienced, so you have a peer to reach out to. There are also opportunities to meet other foster carers through training sessions, events and support groups. 

Fostering can bring real joy and purpose, but it also comes with challenges. We believe it’s important to be honest about both.

“Providing a child with a safe and loving environment is very rewarding,” says Jenny, another Family Placement Social Worker with Barnardo’s. “Many carers see transformations in a child or young person’s confidence, behaviour and general wellbeing. A newly approved carer I work with is looking after an infant from a background of neglect and can see the little one thrive and grow in her care.”   

Strong bonds often form between foster carers and children. Knowing they have an adult firmly in their corner gives children the security they need to grow and thrive.

“Our carers form strong bonds with children in their care. Recently a young person moving on from foster care told us he wanted to live close to his former carers who he still calls Mum and Dad,” continues Jenny.

At the same time, caring for children who have experienced trauma can be emotionally tough. That’s why training and support are built into every stage of fostering.

You’ll complete preparation training before you start, and we’ll also provide further training as needs arise. We’ve got experts across our organisation and beyond, whose experience and knowledge we can call upon to help. We’ll also be beside you 24/7, you can pick up the phone day or night and one of our team will be there to help you.

Fostering usually means caring for a child for the short or medium term while plans are made for their future. When children move on, whether back to their birth family, into long-term foster care, adoption, or towards independence, it can be emotional.

Foster carers are closely involved in planning for these transitions. Your insights into a child’s routines, needs and relationships help shape decisions made in their best interests.

We work carefully to support everyone involved. When children are adopted, we follow the University of East Anglia’s Moving to Adoption Process, which places children’s emotional needs at the centre of the transition. We’ll also support you as their foster carers. We understand that as much as you’ll be happy to see a child you’ve cared for move to a forever home, it can be hard to see them leave and we’ll make sure you’re supported too.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be perfect. And you don’t need to decide anything today.

If you’re curious about fostering we’d love to talk to you. And if you think fostering might be right for you our social workers, and the rest of our team will be there with you, every step of the way.