Asking for Help
June 23, 2026
Asking for help is crucial for foster carers to ensure the well-being of both themselves and the children in their care. Fostering is
News & guides
Useful reading for the curious, the nearly-ready and everyone in between. Start with the question that brought you here.
A good place to start
Five questions worth asking before you choose a fostering agency.
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6 articles
Getting started
Yes. Care, consistency and commitment are what matter. Here are a few things to think about.
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Getting started
Your experience can be a strength. The conversation starts with your life now, and what you could offer.
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Getting started
You don’t need a partner to foster. You do need the time, stability and support to care for a child.
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Home & family
What to know about the spare room, and why it is part of the fostering conversation.
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Choosing your agency
A useful first conversation should leave you clearer about the people, payments and support around you.
Read the guideSCF news · January 2026 inspection
Read the independent findings from South Coast Fostering’s Ofsted inspection.
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Asking for help is crucial for foster carers to ensure the well-being of both themselves and the children in their care. Fostering is
As her husband contemplates accessing his care records, social work trainer and consultant Sophie Baker discusses how practitioners can ensure children reading
Kerry, a Hertfordshire-based foster carer, shares her experience of fostering as a single parent. As often happens, Kerry met Ian when she
Thousands of people in the UK devote their lives to offering a nurturing environment for children and young people in foster care.
Hi I’m Agatha, a seasoned foster carer – I’ve been approved for over 15 years now so I think I have a
We often get asked whether someone can foster if they have pets, so we thought we’d ask a few of our carers
Fostering Fortnight 2023 is just around the corner, and it offers a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the role that foster
For many children and young people in the UK, foster care provides a vital lifeline. It offers a safe and stable home
Fostering teenagers may seem intimidating, but it can change their life for the better. Foster carers have the power to help teenagers
A conversation, at your pace
You don’t need to be ready to apply. A friendly conversation can help you work out your next step.
Usually 15–20 minutes. No pressure to apply.