From Marathons to Mud: Take on a Challenge for Foster Care Ready to take on something unforgettable? Whether you’re chasing an adrenaline rush, looking for a family day out, or wanting to tick a big goal off your bucket list, The Foster Care Charity’s fundraising challenge events are your chance to do it – while […]
Take on a Challenge – Marathons, Mudders and More Read More »
Celebrating Our Incredible Social Workers! The summer holidays are here — and while the sun might be shining (some of the time!), we know that for foster carers and social workers, this season can bring its own unique set of challenges. Routines are out the window. Children are off school. Parenting looks a little different,
Social Workers – at the Heartbeat of Foster Care Read More »
Empowering Our Children Through Pupil Premium Plus As foster carers, you play a vital role in a child’s life. Understanding the support available for their education is key. One great resource in the UK is Pupil Premium Plus (PP+). This is a government initiative designed to give disadvantaged children, including those who are or have been
Pupil Premium Plus – 2025 Update Read More »
A Hug to Hold Onto – Celebrating 25 Years of Care & Comfort We’re delighted to announce a truly special collaboration between The Foster Care Charity and Project Linus UK. And we couldn’t imagine a better time to launch it. 2025 marks 25 years since both of our organisations began supporting children across the UK.
Collaboration with Project Linus UK Read More »
“If I didn’t have my foster parents in my life, it would have been so easy for me to go down the wrong path,” Brad said. “I would not be where I am today.” Striking a Caring Chord: Brad Kella Urges More People to Foster in a New Film A powerful new video featuring The
The Impact of Fostering – Brad Kella – My Story Read More »
You Matter: Boosting Teen Self-Esteem in Foster Care Let’s be honest — being a teenager is tough. Being a teenager in foster care? Even tougher. Any young person who’s had a rough start in life is likely to lack confidence. They might feel like they’re not good enough, like they don’t belong, or like they
Boost Teen Self-Esteem – 10 Practical Ways Read More »
Can You Work and Be a Foster Carer? Absolutely! Here’s What You Need to Know Many people believe that fostering is a full-time role that doesn’t allow room for other work commitments. However, the reality is that many foster carers successfully balance fostering with part-time or even full-time employment. If you’ve ever considered fostering but
Work and be a Foster Carer Read More »
Thinking About Adoption? Here’s Why Fostering Might Be Right for You If you’re thinking about growing your family through adoption, you’re already on an amazing path—one that could change a child’s life forever. But have you ever considered fostering? At The Foster Care Charity, we know that fostering isn’t always the first thing people think
Thinking Adoption – Consider Fostering Read More »
Why You Should Become a Foster Carer: Changing Lives, One Child at a Time At The Foster Care Charity, we are passionate about giving children, especially those with experience in care, the chance to thrive. We believe fostering plays a pivotal role in providing the foundation for their future s To flourish, children need a
Changing Lives One Child At a Time Read More »
The Foster Care Charity’s Chance to Win £1000! We are calling for nominations to win a £1,000 Movement for Good Award from Benefact Group. As a supporter of The Foster Care Charity we’d like to encourage you to nominate us for a chance to win £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s annual Movement for Good
Helping Young People Thrive: Self-Awareness, Growth & Mental Well-Being Being a foster carer is about so much more than just providing a roof over a young person’s head—it’s about creating a space where they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow into confident, happy adults. A big part of that journey is looking after their
Supporting Children’s Mental Health – 10 Top Tips Read More »
Supporting Your Foster Child with Homework: Hints and Tips for Success As a foster carer, you play a vital role in the development of the children you care for, not just emotionally but academically too. Homework is more than just an after-school chore; it’s an opportunity to support your foster child’s learning journey, build essential
Homework Help – 10 Top Tips Read More »
Supporting Teens in Digital Safety: A Guide for Foster Parents and Carers to Navigate TikTok Responsibly As a foster parent or carer, you play a vital role in helping the young people in your care navigate the digital world safely. Social media platforms like TikTok can be fun and engaging for teens, but they also
Navigating TikTok – Foster Parent Tips Read More »
The winner of our Christmas jumper design competition is Levi, age 7. You can see his cute reindeer jumper on the centre of our card. This simple fun design tells the story of Rudolph deciding which carrot to choose. Will it be the yummy one on his left? Well done to everyone who entered our
Christmas Card Campaign Read More »
The Foster Care Charity Providing Loving Homes for Children Since 1999 Here at FCC we are excited to be celebrating 25 years of fostering, helping care for the UK’s next generation of young people. At a time where one child enters the care system every fifteen minutes, now is the time for people to step
Celebrating 25 Years of Fostering Children Read More »
S’ya, Phil and Ben with FCC’s Sam W. Proudly show off their 496 Challenge medals after completing the last 31km stage of their 31 day endurance run. Embrace the Challenge! The 496 Challenge is our first official fundraising campaign since becoming a charity. Our fundraisers embraced the challenge of each running a cumulative 496 kilometers,
FCC’s 496 Challenge – The Full Story Read More »
Foster carer Stephen inspires colleagues and friend in epic running challenge for children in care! Our Manchester-based foster carer, Stephen’s personal commitment to helping vulnerable children in care is inspirational. In fact two of his work colleagues and a friend are doing a gruelling running challenge to raise vital funds for our charity. Stephen, who
Foster Carer Inspires Running Challenge Read More »
Phil, S’ya, Stephen and Ben – FCC’s 496 Challenge 2024 Ben, Phil and S’ya are all about challenging themselves to the extreme. Ben and Phil have already successfully completed marathons and triathlons, whilst Ben has also completed Ironman UK. This year they are taking on the 496 Challenge, an extreme running challenge designed by Sean Conway.
Meet our 496 Challenge Fundraisers Read More »
This July, we’re excited to launch the Foster Care Charity’s 496 Challenge. It’s a month-long event where each participant commits to running every day, aiming to cover a total of 496 kilometers. We’re raising vital funds for support activities for foster carers and their families. Foster carers are remarkable individuals who dedicate themselves daily to
Join FCCs 496 Fundraising Challenge Read More »
In support of the Child Accident Prevention Trust #ChildSafetyWeek we want to share tips and resources that you can access to help children lead active, healthy lives, safe from serious injury. #SafetySorted On the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) website you’ll find lots of downloadable resources and easy to understand videos on a wide range
Child Accident Prevention Read More »
Steve Field, our Director of Child Care along with our Yorkshire based foster carers Karen and Mark joined Trisha Goddard’s Saturday afternoon TalkTV/ TalkRadio show to discuss the crisis in fostering in the UK. With one child in need of a foster family, entering the UK care system every 15 minutes, there simply are not
Foster Care chat with Trisha on TALKTV Read More »
Hull-based Lee and Stewart are a married couple and dads to five children – aged from 2 to 16. As foster dads they feel they can give back to the community and make a difference to the lives of children and young people. “Fostering, it’s not just a job, we get to be dads 24/7!”
Pride for Hull Foster Dads Read More »
Foster Carers, Karen & Mark were invited to BBC Radio Leeds morning show. They share all about fostering and the impact it can have on young people’s lives. With 10 year’s of experience fostering many children and young people, Karen and Mark have a lot of insights into what it means to be a foster
BBC Radio Leeds Fostering Interview with Karen and Mark Read More »
Being active is a really important part of looking after our mental health and wellbeing. Regular movement and getting physically active means we release endorphins – chemicals in our brains – which make us feel good. Did you know that even just doing 10 mins of activity can increase your energy and mental alertness? The
Get Moving to Improve Mental Health Read More »
Lego Based Therapy is a collaborative, play therapy/social developmental programme designed to aid, teach and promote social communication and social competence in a range of children and young people. It’s highly structured, systematic and predictable, making it extremely enticing to children and young people, particularly those who are attracted by routine and structure. Therapy sessions
Lego Based Therapy For Young People Read More »
Charlotte, SSW, talks about her role with FCC So what does a Senior Supervising Social Worker doas part of an independent foster care agency? The days vary in terms of duties and responsibilities. In general they include visits with foster carers, completing monthly supervisions and Annual Reviews. I also attend meetings with the Local Authorities,
My Role – Supervising Social Worker Read More »
REPORT REMOVE! Take Down online nude images or video! Report Remove is a tool that allows young people to report nude images or videos that have been shared online, to see if it is possible to get them taken down. Developed by NSPCC and IWF and supported by Childline, this tool gives information to young
Report Remove Tool For Online Nude Images Read More »
The Foster Care Charity Welcomes New Trustees to Strengthen Governance & Propel Strategic Growth We celebrate our new chapter and charitable status with the appointment of Donna Jackman and Simon Egerton to our Board of Trustees, effective September 2023. And, we say goodbye to Elizabeth (Betty) Hutton who has stepped down from her role on
New Trustees to Propel Strategic Growth Read More »
If you are planning to give electronic gadgets to your children this year, or if you are simply aware of an increase of time spent online, check out these parent guides designed to help you keep kids safe in a digital world. “Online safety is when young people know who they can tell if they
Staying Safe Online – Foster Parent Guides Read More »
There is a real and growing concern of how many young people find it OK to share inappropriate images online. It is leading to so many becoming vulnerable to potential exploitation, blackmail and harm from a young age, leaving a lasting digital footprint. If you share it, you are involved. It’s time for foster carers and parents to have an important conversation about online safety. Let’s help children navigate the digital world as safely as possible.
Inappropriate Image Sharing Online – PARENT GUIDES Read More »
Perhaps you’d like to become a Foster Carer, but you think your circumstances prevent you. You may have been told a lot of conflicting things about fostering children. With so many misconceptions around, we thought we’d help dispel those foster care myths and give you the facts about who can foster and what you can
Fostering Myths V Facts! Read More »
Ketamine is an increasingly popular recreational drug of choice for teens. This is a drug that no one should take. However, as a parent or foster carer you may not be able to stop children and young people coming into contact with it. Being informed could help the teenagers in your care to make the
Ketamine Harm – Advice for Foster Parents Read More »
Raise awareness and break the stigma Each year 18 October is World Menopause Day an opportunity to raise awareness, break the stigma and highlight the support available for improving health and wellbeing for those experiencing menopause. Menopause is not just a gender or age issue; it is an organisational issue which can impact everyone in
World Menopause Day 2023 Read More »
Family Decisions About Fostering Children Becoming a foster parent isn’t something you decide on a whim—it’s a thoughtful journey. It’s important to gather the whole household together from the get-go, and it can feel even more significant when you consider how fostering might impact your own kids. Ensuring your biological children’s well-being is a top priority,
Fostering With Birth Children? Advice for Parents Read More »
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2023 Throughout this Black History Month, in support of the ‘Celebrating Our Sisters’ 2023 theme, we are highlighting and celebrating incredible Black women who have helped change lives and perceptions. In particular those who have influenced the lives of children and families through their work. Check out more about these women,
Celebrating black history month 2023 Read More »
Introducing The Foster Care Charity A new era in transforming children’s lives We are proud to announce from 1st October, 2023, The Foster Care Co-operative has transitioned to become The Foster Care Charity. This exciting development marks a pivotal moment in our journey to provide foster care and support to vulnerable children across England and
Co-operative Transitions to Foster Care Charity Read More »
With the new school year firmly underway, its a good time to put online safety back on the agenda. Foster carers and parents need to consider not just physical child safety but also the steps to take to help ensure children’s safety in the digital world. Safer Online Practices As the internet and social media
Keep Kids Safe OnLine – FOSTER PARENT GUIDES Read More »
It’s back-to-school season – are your foster kids feeling anxious? The time has rolled around again – back to school season is upon us. For foster families, this transition can bring about a mix of excitement and anxiety for the kids in your care. The first day of school is edging closer, and after the
Navigating Back-to-School Nerves Read More »
The UK Government has a pilot grant project to provide additional educational funding for looked-after children and care leavers at post-16. An additional £5 million has been made available to selected Local Authorities in England for the 2022-23 school year. Funds are there for schools to provide support for educational interventions, tuition or anything else
16+Funding for Looked After Children Read More »
What do Foster Carers need to know about paying UK tax? So many Foster Carers have questions about their tax status, what to pay, how to pay and where to pay. It’s certainly an area where people need help and advice. Here is some key information and links to help you regarding tax and foster
Foster Care Tax FAQs! Read More »
Recently, I delivered two separate Education training sessions for foster carers in England and Wales. This was the first time that the training has been separated after hearing feedback from carers who have attended in the past. Explains Roxanne, Education Specialist for FCC Education Awareness Sessions These sessions worked much better as there are
Spotlight on Education Awareness Training Read More »
Parents and foster carers need to be able to help teens learn about digital safety and how to manage their online presence. With 40% of the 800 million active users on TikTok between the ages of 14 and 24 there is increasing responsibility to understand the dangers of social media and teach children how to
TikTok Guide for Foster Parents Read More »
Range of Discounts Available for Foster Families Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store. Blue Light Card also works with small and large companies across the UK to get involved in supporting the Blue Light community through offering our members discounts
Blue Light Discounts for Foster Carers Read More »
FCC team receive the first donation of Madlug bags for foster children – August 2022 Thank you Madlug team you are absolutely amazing! “Good bags that do good”. Madlug (www.madlug.com) are a luggage brand with a difference – for every bag they sell, they donate a pack-away travel duffle bag to a child in care. We
A Big Thank You to Madlug! Read More »
The war in Ukraine – Talking about the issues & impact The situation we are seeing in Ukraine is worrying for everyone. It is inevitable that our children and young people will have questions about what is going on, and how this may impact them or their families. Talking to young people about the war
Talking about War in Ukraine Read More »
Membership Support for Foster Families We all know that raising children can be a costly business, and foster children are no different! Fortunately, there are a number of organisations who offer special discounts for foster carers to use at various locations around the UK. As part of the package following approval as a foster carer
Support and Discounts for Foster Carers Read More »
Back to School After Covid! Never as foster carers, did you probably imagine that ‘school teacher’ would be added to your long list of ‘job roles’ that often come as part of being a carer. Despite the challenges faced, there have been some incredible success stories from some of our young people who have risen
The Return To Education Post Covid-19 Read More »
PACT Parent And Child Together Fostering Did you know that as foster carer, you can foster both a parent and their children? It’s called PACT (Parent And Child Together), and there is a great need for PACT trained foster carers. Jane, one of FCC’s Supervising Social Workers and PACT trainer, explains why. As a Supervising
Fostering a child and their parent Read More »
SPARK FOUNDATION – Helping Care-Experienced Young People We’re thrilled to be able to allocate our 2020 charitable fund to The Spark Foundation, a charity that offers grants to children in care and care leavers. We wanted to choose a charity that not only aligned with our values, ethics and approaches, but would also enable us
Supporting The Spark Foundation Read More »
Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families “A letter to foster carers” – 12 May 2020 UK Ministers Thank Foster Carers During Covid Pandemic In an open letter to foster carers nationwide published 12th May 2020, Ministers say thank you. Written by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and
Ministers thank foster carers in open letter Read More »
Why do I need to know about Xanax? According to the most recent national drug survey, there has been a significant increase in the use of Xanax by young people. Alprazolam (Xanax) is controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, therefore possession without a prescription or supplying the drug to others is a criminal
XANAX – what you need to know Read More »
Neil Morrissey at Global Radio’s Leicester Square studios with FCC’s Dan Rosewarne 2018 Neil Morrissey: The Voice of FCC National Radio Ads We are pleased to announce that the wonderful Neil Morrissey is the ‘voice of The Foster Care Co-operative (FCC)’. He is voicing our national radio commercials for 2018-2019 and possibly beyond that. Neil
Neil Morrissey: the voice of FCC Read More »
June 2018 – The Foster Care Co-operative (FCC) has won a prestigious national co-operative award. FCC were shortlisted for the Inspiring Co-operative of the Year Award, one of five awards presented by Co-operatives UK – an organisation that promotes, develops and unites member-owned businesses throughout the UK. And we won! The award was presented at
FCC wins Inspiring Coop of the Year! Read More »
Fostering has been in the news a lot recently. You’ve possibly seen recent stories talking about the ‘cost’ of placing children with independent fostering agencies being wildly more expensive than if the child is placed with in-house local authority carers. It seems that all independent fostering agencies are being tarred with the same brush. Unfortunately
Myths and Facts of Fostering Children Read More »
Lee GreatBatch (Paralympian), Gail Granger (FCC) and Dr Peter Unwin (Principal Lecturer in Social Work) at the University of Worcester, celebrating the new research Groundbreaking Research: Overcoming Barriers for Disabled Foster Carers The Foster Care Co-operative (FCC) is working with Shaping Our Lives and the University of Worcester on groundbreaking research supporting the disabled community.
Researching barriers for disabled foster carers Read More »
