A famous author has inspired a group of TACT young people, in a workshop aimed at encouraging a passion for reading.

Andy Stanton, the celebrated author of the Mr Gum book series, led an online workshop organised by TACT Fostering – in line with their extensive year-long National Year of Reading campaign activities.

He took the participants through his own creative processes, including the time he wrote a story for his nephews on Christmas Eve (which they ignored as it was Christmas), only to find the story again years later ‘in a box’. That story became the first Mr Gum book.

No stranger to working with children, Andy said: “I’ve been talking to children in schools and at book festivals for twenty years now. I haven’t done any events or workshops for children in care before. Whomever I’m talking to I always strive to make my events inclusive and welcoming for all. 

Please click here to read the full article.

We are proud to introduce Michael Carr as a Patron of The Foster Care Charity.

Michael’s journey is powerful, honest, and inspiring. He brings not only professional success, but lived experience of growing up in foster care. That makes his voice truly important to the work we do.

Today, Michael is a professional chef and business owner. But his story began in a very different place.

From Fostered Child to Pro Chef
“As soon as I started, I just wanted to work and become a chef.”

​Michael spent much of his childhood in and out of care. Life was not always stable. There were times when things were difficult and uncertain.

“I didn’t really have structure growing up. Sometimes life was just about getting through the day.”

Everything changed when he found a home with his foster carers.

“They became like my mum and dad. They gave me support, structure, and somewhere that felt like home.”

That stability made a lasting difference.

​Please click here for the full article.

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man.  We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do.  We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

About the Role
The role is responsible for the successful recruitment of new St. Christopher’s foster carers, proactively building excellent relationships with potential fostering applicants & guiding them through the assessment & approval process. The role will proactively lead on the recruitment strategy for a given region but the postholder may have to work across other regions as required by workflows. The postholder will deliver an increased number of fostering households through a targeted approach, enabling the recruitment and assessment of foster carers who can meet the needs of St. Christopher’s looked after children.

Please click here to read the full article.

Join Barnardo's North England Fostering Service as a Supervising Social Worker
 
Barnardo's is one of the UK's leading children's charities, and our North England Fostering Service is committed to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive homes for children and young people. We are now seeking a passionate and skilled Supervising Social Worker to join our dedicated team.

North England service cover Yorkshire, Humber and the North East of England. The successful applicant must be willing to drive across this region as part of their role.

About the Role

• As a Supervising Social Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting foster carers to provide high-quality care. You will:
• Supervise, support, and develop foster carers to ensure the best outcomes for children.
• Undertake assessments of prospective foster carers.
• Contribute to the matching process and foster home stability.
• Work collaboratively with children, families, carers, and professionals.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in line with regulatory requirements.
• Delivering training to foster carers
• Following induction period, join our out of hours rota.

Please click here for full job details.

This week, Break young person Aidan bravely spoke at Parliament about the need for a safer and more secure housing pathway for care leavers.

Aidan, who was supported by Break's Staying Close, Staying Connected programme, was selected to take part in My Maiden Speech, a programme run by the Speakers Trust which helps young people develop and deliver speeches on issues connected to their lived experience.

The event, hosted by Sureena Brackenridge MP, gave Aidan the opportunity to share his own experience of moving through care and the challenges many care-experienced young people face when trying to find a stable home.

Aidan spoke candidly about entering care at 14, moving into semi-independent living at 16, and finding support through Break. He used his speech to highlight the importance of ensuring all care leavers have access to the stability and support they need as they move into adulthood.

Please click here to read the full article.

What would happen if we gave carers more than just money to look after children? What if we also gave them a strong foundation in understanding trauma and therapeutic parenting so they have the skills, confidence and support to do it well?

At Community Foster Care, we think that question matters.

Of course, foster carers need to be financially supported. Fostering is a significant commitment, and carers should never be out of pocket for welcoming a child into their home.

But if financial support alone was enough, then every fostering arrangement would thrive.

The reality is that many children entering care bring with them experiences of loss, trauma, neglect, disrupted relationships and uncertainty. These experiences shape how they see the world, how they build relationships and how they respond when they feel scared, overwhelmed or unsafe.

That's why we believe fostering isn't simply about providing a spare room and good intentions. It's about equipping carers with the understanding, support and therapeutic skills needed to help children heal.

Please click here to read the full article.

By Styliana Pasiardi, Charity Policy and Campaigns Manager, Together Trust.

On Monday 7th September, I presented at a symposium on illegal/unregistered children’s homes and child exploitation at Anglia Ruskin University. The symposium brought together professionals from academia, charities, policing, the Department for Education, the NHS and frontline services, all committed to improving outcomes for children in care.

I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with others across the sector, share our work, and raise awareness of illegal children’s homes. 

Illegal children’s homes continue to be a significant safeguarding concern to some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Children are being placed in settings that are not registered and have not been approved to provide care. This can leave children without the safeguards, oversight and support they need.

Please click here for the full article and presentation slides.

TACT’s Fostering North West team were very busy over the summer holidays organising some brilliant activities for our young people. One of our young people even completed an amazing personal challenge!

We kicked off the summer with our Multi-Sports Activity Day, delivered by Sportibees. Following the success of this event last year, and after hearing so many positive comments from our children and foster carers, we were delighted to bring it back again. The day was packed with a variety of sports and activities, giving everyone the opportunity to get involved, try something new and have fun together!

Please click here to read the full article.

 At ALL4U we think the most important thing is to find families and children who meet each others needs and strengths. Our belief is to make your fostering journey positive, supportive, rewarding and like you are not in this alone because you are not.

We ALWAYS have experienced members of staff available round the clock If you are curious or wonder whether fostering is something you'd like to explore, call us on 0800 917 5754 or take a look at our website and send us a message and we will get back to you.

​No question is too small (or big) . And who knows, maybe you would like to join our family too !

Source: 
www.all4ufostering.co.uk

Every young person deserves the chance to move into adulthood feeling ready, supported and in control of their future. But for many young people leaving care, the transition can come with challenges that their peers never have to face. 

That's why, over the last year, Break has been bringing together young people, local authorities, housing providers, disability organisations and other partners across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire through two ambitious projects: Routes to Roofs and Own Your Path. 

Supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, both projects aim to improve the experience of leaving care. Routes to Roofs is focused on housing and finding ways to give young people more choice, stability and security when moving into independent living. Own Your Path is focused on improving pathways for young people with disabilities as they transition into adulthood. 

Please click here to read the full article.