Blogs

Having blogged for many years about fostering and raising children I have more recently looked at ways in which adults and young people can achieve happiness and contentment. Last time we looked at how we can turn the corner and move on after a negative experience. This time I’d like to look at taking responsibility for our lives.

By Cathy Glass on March 29th, 2018
Our Mockingbird programme is growing rapidly, with new constellations (fostering households gathered around a hub home which offers planned and emergency respite, advice, training and support) popping up across the country. One of the unexpected joys of the programme is the emergence of the important role played by ‘hub animals’: pets that were part of the household before the family took on the role of the hub home and have now become a much loved member of the wider constellation family. The presence of these animals within the hub home adds to the variety of experiences for children and young people - and often provides another important relationship to support young people to learn new skills and confidences. We are collecting some great stories about the impact of pets living in the satellite homes – with some even accompanying children and young people at sleepovers in the hub home!
By N B Lakhani on March 27th, 2018
Things can get a little tricky when it comes to home insurance for foster carers. This is especially the case when it comes to making claims, particularly for intentional damage. Having the right home insurance is vital for peace of mind.
By Daniel.Sinclairtfn on March 6th, 2018

Cast your minds back five years to 2013- what a year!

By N B Lakhani on March 1st, 2018
The Fostering Network, in conjunction with Mercy Mission UK, is running the Muslim Fostering Project to undertake ground-breaking work funded by the Better Community Business Network (BCBN). The project will focus on the links, or otherwise, between the Muslim faith and fostering and how we can help fostering services across England to ensure that their foster carer population is reflective (and meets the cultural needs) of the children they care for.
By N B Lakhani on March 1st, 2018

The second part of a blog descibing how alien a new foster family in a new country can be and how that feeling can be overcome with love, teamwork and perseverence.

By Lucy Stevens on February 28th, 2018

Time flies! It’s been a busy start to the year for the campaigns and policy team, and hard to believe we’re at the end of February already. A new year has also brought with it a new Children’s Minister in England, so it’s all change at the Department for Education.

By Policy and Campaigns tFN on February 27th, 2018
Having blogged for many years about fostering and raising children I have more recently looked at ways in which adults and young people can achieve happiness and contentment. Last time we looked at different types of anger and being able to let go of it. In this blog I would like to go more deeply into how we can turn the corner and move on with life after a negative experience.
By Cathy Glass on February 22nd, 2018
Foster carers’ children are a vital part of many fostering families. We spoke to the winners of our 2017 Outstanding Contribution by Sons and Daughters Award to find out why they love being a part of their fostering family and what it was like winning a national award.
By N B Lakhani on February 16th, 2018

I’ve often thought that, for our foster son, coming to live with us must have been like being plucked from his bed and finding himself firmly ensconced on the moon. This is not because we are particularly strange per se but because of all the foreignness we came wrapped in.

By Lucy Stevens on February 14th, 2018