Friday 15 July 2016
Before making the decision to become a foster carer, it’s essential to do as much research as you can. While incredibly rewarding, fostering a vulnerable child is a huge responsibility and should never be decided upon a whim. The good news is there’s an abundance of information available to potential carers. Below we’ve highlighted the best places to get accurate and reliable information on foster care in the UK.
General information on fostering
If you’re looking for general information on foster care, there are two main websites that we highly recommend. These include:
The Fostering Network – https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/
The fostering network is a leading UK fostering charity that offers in-depth advice on every aspect of fostering a child. As well as offering excellent advice and information, the charity also works with more than 400 fostering services throughout the country.
On the site you’ll find information on everything from what to expect when you become a foster parent, to finances, policies and training available. They also have a range of helplines for both established and prospective foster carers.
CoramBAAF – http://corambaaf.org.uk/info/fostering
CoramBAAF Adoption & Fostering Academy is part of the Coram Group charities. It has been running for more than 275 years, helping to improve education, rights and welfare of children. As well as offering a substantial amount of information on all aspects of fostering, the site also has a very interesting resources page. Here you’ll find statistics, regulations and guidance information and real life videos on fostering from carers, parents and children’s points of view.
Specialist foster care information
If you’re looking for information on specific types of foster care, the sites below will prove especially useful…
Siblings Together – http://siblingstogether.co.uk/
Siblings Together is a leading organisation in the UK dedicated to helping siblings stay together when they enter the foster care system. If you’re interested in helping keep the important bond between brothers and sisters, this website will provide you with everything you need to know.
Heath Farm Fostering – http://www.heathfarmfostering.com/about-fostering/…
Our own website provides plenty of information on the different types of fostering available. We also welcome you to contact us to find out more about any of the specific types you might be interested in.
Gov.uk – https://www.gov.uk/foster-carers/types-of-foster-c…
The government website also provides information on the different types of fostering, along with general information. You can find more information on the legalities and formal aspect of fostering a child here.
Overall there are many different websites offering information on fostering in the UK. The above are the best of the best, providing the most useful, relevant and up-to-date information.