Starting a fostering journey is exciting, life-changing… and often a little scary.
One of the most common fears people share with us is:
“What if I’m not confident enough?”
“What if it’s too difficult and I can’t cope?”
If you’ve ever had those thoughts, you’re in very good company. The truth is:
nearly every foster carer has felt that way before they started.
No one begins as an expert
Foster carers aren’t born confident.
Confidence grows with experience, support and small everyday wins.
Carers frequently tell us:
- “I worried I wouldn’t know what to do — but the training prepared me.”
- “I thought I’d need all the answers — but I learned along the way.”
- “I expected it to be overwhelming — but the support made all the difference.”
Just like parenting, fostering is something you grow into.
There will be challenges — but you won’t face them alone
Fostering can be emotional and sometimes demanding. Children come with their own histories, worries and needs.
But you are never expected to handle that alone.
At Eastern Fostering Services, carers have:
✔ A dedicated supervising social worker
✔ 24/7 support line
✔ Ongoing training and workshops
✔ Peer support from other carers
✔ Access to therapeutic services and professionals
There is always someone you can call, ask, or lean on.
Many carers say the support they receive is what transforms uncertainty into confidence.
Children don’t need perfection — they need stability
Some people fear they won’t be:
- patient enough
- skilled enough
- experienced enough
- “strong” enough
But children in foster care are not looking for perfection.
They need kindness.
They need routine.
They need someone who shows up.
They need a home where they feel safe — not a home where someone knows everything.
Training helps you build confidence before a child arrives
You’ll learn about:
- behaviour and trauma
- how to manage tough moments
- communication and boundaries
- supporting education
- understanding emotions
You’ll never be thrown in at the deep end.
Every carer has moments of doubt — that’s normal
Some weeks will feel easy.
Some days will be challenging.
And there will be times you wonder, “Am I doing this right?”
Those thoughts don’t mean you’re failing — they mean you care.
Many carers who once doubted themselves now say things like:
“I nearly talked myself out of fostering because I didn’t think I could do it.
But now I can’t imagine my life any other way.”
“It’s been challenging at times, but watching a child grow in confidence — that makes every moment worth it.”
Fostering changes lives — including your own
Seeing a child:
- join a sports team
- make a friend
- learn to trust
- laugh again
- achieve something they didn’t think they could
…brings a kind of pride that’s hard to describe.
Most foster carers say that any difficult days are outweighed by the joy, progress and connection they share with the children in their care.
If you care enough to worry — you’re already the kind of person who could foster
The fact that you’re concerned about doing a good job shows empathy, responsibility and self-awareness — all qualities that make a great foster carer.
You don’t need to be confident today.
You just need to be willing to learn, ask for help, and give a child a chance.
And we’ll walk beside you every step.
Thinking about fostering?
If confidence is holding you back, reach out.
Talk to us.
Ask questions.
Meet other carers who once felt exactly as you do now.
At Eastern Fostering Services, we believe strong foster carers are not the ones who never doubt themselves — but the ones who show up anyway.
If you’d like to chat to our team, hear more from carers, or ask anything at all, we’re here to help.
