Member News from EPIC Family CIC: Relationships in Fostering

The Power of Relationships: The Heart of Foster Care

Every May, Foster Care Fortnight shines a spotlight on the incredible work of foster parents across the UK. Organised by The Fostering Network, this annual campaign is more than just a celebration, it's a call to action, a moment to reflect, and a chance to amplify the voices of those who make fostering possible. At the heart of this year’s message, as in every year, lies one simple truth: relationships matter.

Why Relationships Are Everything
In everyday life, relationships shape who we are. Whether it's the colleague who checks in on us during a tough week, the friend who listens without judgment, or the neighbour who offers a helping hand, these connections form the fabric of our emotional wellbeing. Each of us have many different types of relationship within our own lives depending on our role at that time. For example our relationships as a parent/sibling/ aunt/son etc, will be different to our relationships as a work colleague/boss/employee etc. We ‘wear many different hats’ in our day to day lives, and as we ‘switch hats’ we switch how we approach our relationships.

For children in foster care, relationships are not just important—they are transformational. Many children enter care having experienced trauma, instability, or loss. In these moments, what they need most isn’t perfection—it’s connection. A consistent, caring adult who shows up, listens, and stays. That’s where foster parents come in. Foster parents need to balance this, with the professional relationships that come with the role, and being the strong advocate for the child.

Click here to read a foster parent's story

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