What support do foster carers receive besides financial benefits?

Beyond financial benefits, foster carers are supported through a professional network that helps them make decisions, manage placements and meet their responsibilities. This usually includes an allocated supervising social worker, regular supervision, placement planning, access to specialist advice and support from the wider fostering team.

A supervising social worker is a key point of contact for the foster carer. They help the carer understand expectations, reflect on how a placement is progressing and identify any additional support needed. Regular supervision provides an opportunity to discuss relationships within the household, safeguarding, behaviour, contact arrangements, record-keeping and the effect of fostering on family life.

Support is also available around the individual child or young person. Before a placement, carers should receive relevant information to help them consider whether the match is suitable for their household. This may cover the child’s background, routines, health, education, relationships, known risks and the type of care they need. The child’s placement plan should set out important arrangements, including contact with family members, delegated authority and the responsibilities of everyone involved.

Once a child is placed, foster carers may work with social workers, schools, health professionals and birth family members. The fostering team can help carers communicate effectively with these professionals, contribute to meetings and keep the child’s care plan under review. Practical advice may be needed when a child has experienced neglect, trauma, disrupted education, additional needs or difficulty forming trusting relationships.

Foster carers also receive safeguarding support. They are expected to follow safer caring guidance, keep appropriate records and report concerns or significant incidents. If an allegation or complaint is made, the carer should be given information about the process and access to support while the matter is considered. This does not remove the need for an independent legal adviser where appropriate, but it helps the carer understand what is happening and what is expected of them.

Other non-financial support can include:

• regular review meetings to consider the carer’s approval, development and support needs;
• help with completing fostering records and sharing relevant information appropriately;
• advice about managing contact, transitions, routines and challenging behaviour;
• access to peer networks, support groups or activities for foster carers and their families, where provided locally;
• support for children in the fostering household, including help to understand how fostering may affect family relationships;
• guidance when a placement changes, ends or moves towards reunification, permanence or another care arrangement.

Support should continue through the different stages of fostering rather than stopping when a carer is approved. The precise package depends on the fostering service, the carer’s circumstances and the needs of the child. Prospective carers should ask who their supervising social worker would be, how supervision is arranged, what support is available during difficult placements and how the service supports the wider household before applying.