News
Experiencing ‘empty nest’ syndrome? Have you thought about fostering?
Want to talk it through with someone? It’s the time of year when many young adults are preparing to leave home. Some will be heading to university, while others may be moving to take up a new job or have a gap year. Whatever the reason, it’s a big change in their...
AFA Statement RE: Radio 4 Today on Private Equity Investors and Fostering
On 27 August, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme ran an in-depth article on the effect of Private Equity investors buying up small Independent Fostering Agencies, in the process creating three very large organisations which between them dominate the fostering market. We at...
Which Fostering Agency Should I Choose?
When you’re beginning to think seriously about applying to foster, there will be a lot of decisions to make. One of them will be who you want to foster with; your local authority or an independent fostering agency? And, if you chose a fostering agency, how do you find...
Surviving to Thriving
We regularly identify current research, events or developments which we feel may interest you. This month I want to let you know about a free conference I attended in June 2019, which was organised by the British Red Cross, UpRising and the Refugee Council. The study...
Fostering Babies and Toddlers
As part of your application to foster, you will be asked what age children you’d be willing to look after. Have you thought about what’s involved in fostering babies and toddlers? Fostering any child is a 24/7 commitment. You may think that this is most keenly felt by...
How To Welcome a Foster Child into Your Home: 10 Top Tips
Having a foster child join your family is a huge life event for them and you. The first step is to create a warm and welcoming environment. This will help a child to feel loved and valued from the beginning of their new placement. A child may appear to settle in...
FCF19: What our carers say: Jennie and Lee
In the 3 years we have been fostering we have had 3 longer term placements and 2 children stay for a short break whilst their carers were on holiday. The youngest young person being a 5 week old baby and the eldest being 6 years of age. Our own youngest child is now...
What Our Carers Say: Zadie, AFA Foster Carer
"Our placement manager has been a cornerstone in achieving our goal as foster carers. When we had a million questions to ask, she answered every one with a smile. When we went through to panel the words “you’ll be fine” were ringing through our ears. And we were. The...
What Our Carers Say: Sam, AFA Foster Carer
"Me and my husband have been fostering for nearly five and a half years with AFA. Throughout this time we have had a number of placements with varying challenges. Our very first placement was a sibling group who were with us for just over a year. This came with many...
What Our Carers Say: Max and Gary, AFA Foster Carers
"“What do you do?” people ask. “We’re a fostering family” I reply. “Oh that’s amazing, I couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t be able to give them back”. “Oh really” I always say, thinking to myself “you think we just give them back?!” When we first started fostering it was...