A Day in the Life of a Foster Carer
(with a Lot of Heart – and Sometimes a Work Meeting Too)
So, you’re thinking about becoming a foster carer? Brilliant. One question we get asked a lot is: “Can I foster and still work?” The answer is yes—many foster carers do! Whether you’re working part-time, full-time, or flexibly, fostering can work around your life—with the right support in place.
Every day as a foster carer is different, but here’s a little peek behind the curtain of what a day might look like when you’re balancing work and fostering.
Mornings – Cereal, School Runs & Calendar Juggling
Mornings are a mix of toast, toothpaste, and timekeeping. There’s breakfast to make, uniforms to find (where is that other shoe?), and a school run to conquer.
If you work, you might be juggling that with your own morning routine—logging on for work, heading into the office, or prepping for a shift. Some carers work flexibly from home, while others have jobs with set hours. Either way, planning and communication are key.
Support like breakfast clubs, school transport help, or wraparound care can make the logistics easier—and your fostering social worker is always there to help you figure out what works best.
During the Day – Working and Caring, Side by Side
While the children are at school or nursery, it’s time to focus on work—or, if it’s your day off, tackle those life admin bits we all love.
A typical day might involve:
- Zoom calls or shifts at work
- Quick check-ins with your supervising social worker
- Writing up your fostering diary or notes
- Attending meetings with school or health professionals (these can often be arranged around your schedule)
- Training sessions to support your role as a carer
Some days are busy. Others have space. But most foster carers will tell you—organisation and flexibility are your superpowers.
After School – Homework, Tea and Talking it Out
School’s out and it’s game on. Depending on your work pattern, you might finish early to pick them up, or you might have support arranged—like a partner, a family member, or after-school care.
Evenings are where the good stuff happens: chats about their day, helping with homework (or googling Year 7 maths), and eating dinner together. You might head to a football club, bake cookies, or just snuggle up for a movie night.
You don’t have to do big, flashy things. The most important part is just being there—showing up with kindness, patience, and interest.
Bedtime – Wind-Down and Catch-Up
Bedtime can be calm and cosy or, occasionally, a bit of a battle (we’ve all been there). Whether you’re reading picture books to little ones or giving your teenager space to chat before lights out, it’s about ending the day with comfort and consistency.
Once they’re settled, you can log back on if work calls, update your carer notes, or just take a moment for yourself. Foster carers need rest too—and tea. Always tea.
“I work three days a week and foster two siblings. It’s a busy house, but we make it work—and the love and laughter outweigh everything. Having support from the team at The Foster Care Charity makes all the difference. I’m never alone in it.”
Can You Work and Foster?
Yes, you can. But like anything worthwhile, it takes planning and support. Some children may need a carer who’s home full-time—others may be perfectly suited to a household where someone works during the day. It all depends on their needs, and we’ll work with you to find the right match.
What matters most is the time, love and stability you can give—whether you do that around a job, a family, or both.
So… is it always easy? No.
Is it always rewarding? Absolutely!
Fostering changes lives—starting with yours.
👉 Find out more about fostering with us
👉 Ready to apply? Let’s chat
Fostering with The Foster Care Charity: We provide fostering services across central and northern England, with foster carers based in key cities and towns such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Norwich, and Bristol. To learn more about fostering in your local area, please visit Our Locations page or give us a call and book a time to chat to someone from our team who is local to you.
We are here to help you on your fostering journey. Contact us today to get started.
