What is attachment theory?

Attachment theory concerns the relationhips between humans. Its most important assertion is that in order to have healthy social and emotional development, young children need to develop a trusting relationship with at least one primary care giver. If, in the early years of life, a child cannot rely on their primary care giver to meet their needs and respond to them, it can lead to attachment difficulties and disorders.

Why is attachment important?

The attachment style we develop has the potential to influence not only our childhood relationships, behaviours, social development and  learning and educational development, but also can affect people throughout adolescence and into adult life. It has the very real capacity to influence the life chances and opportunities of the individual and that of their future children.

Attachment theory maintains that the attachment style you develop during childhood affects the relationships you form as an adult, particularly those of a personal, intimate or romantic nature. Your attachment style can also have a significant impact on your resilience, response to stress, mental health and life chances or opportunities.

Why is attachment relevant to fostering?

If children do not consistently have their needs met in early childhood, they learn that caregivers can’t be relied upon. Similarly, if children are cared for by harmful or unsafe adults, this will affect the relationships they are able to form.

The development of healthy attachment is usually promoted and encouraged by parents or primary caregivers. Positive attachment creates neural pathways in the brain which provide a basis for social behaviours. Poor attachment can create trauma which actually inhibits normal brain development leading potentially to a range of social, emotional, developmental and behavioural problems.

Many children who come into foster care will not have had the primary care that leads to secure attachments. As a foster carer, you may see a range of behaviours related to poor attachment:

• Stress
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Withdrawal
• Clinginess
• Controlling behaviour
• Changeable presentation
• Rejection
• Intense peer relationships
• Frequent relationship breakdowns
• Shame
• Poor focus/concentration
• Risky behaviours
• Lack of sense of identity
• Testing foster carer

The child’s expectation of the foster carer will be based on the patterns of their early life. They may present with some difficult, confusing and exhausting behaviour. Some of these behaviours may be quite subtle and only truly experienced by the foster carers. This is why it’s so important that foster carers have a good understanding of attachment in order to keep sight of the child within. Otherwise, it is the attachment related behaviours that can dominate and this can reinforce the child’s negative view of him/herself.

The good news

The good news for foster carers, the children and for wider society is that some of the gaps can be filled by the reparative care or consistent presence of a key, positive person. It is not too late to help someone discover their sense of self and to let go and trust.

For foster carers, a lot of this is about being.

Being consistent

Being present

Being attuned

Being positive

Being reliable

Being trustworthy

Being there

Eastern Fostering Services recognise that foster carers need to understand attachment and keep revisiting it as a training topic. We offer regular training on the subject face to face and a range of courses online.

If you’d like to know more about fostering with Eastern Fostering Services you can contact us online, by phone on 01206 299775 or via Facebook.

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Whether you’re invested in the fostering process already, just starting out on your journey or you’re curious about fostering, Foster Care Fortnight 2022 is just the ticket for you to explore this community more and make the most of it.

Foster Care Fortnight 2022 is, as you’d imagine, a fortnight dedicated to raising awareness of fostering across the UK. Taking place annually, each campaign is delivered by leading fostering charity The Fostering Network. Created back in 1997, the awareness campaign aims to shed light on the need for more foster carers. From disabled children to siblings, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and older children, the campaign covers every area of fostering.

Why is Foster Care Fortnight 2022 so important?

This year, more than ever, we need Foster Care Fortnight. From a global pandemic to wars across the world, children are being separated from their birth families and put in a position of needing foster families more than ever. Foster Care Fortnight 2022 will shine a light on the incredible work done in recent years by foster families around the UK and show you how you can make a huge impact in the lives of any children you may choose to foster.

When is Foster Care Fortnight 2022?

Foster Care Fortnight will take place between 9th-22nd May with a theme of fostering communities. The theme will help put a focus on the resources we’ve all used over the past two years to help build up our incredible support network of foster carers and the community we’ve created to help aid the fostering experience as a whole.

How can I get involved with Foster Care Fortnight?

There are many ways you can get involved with Foster Care Fortnight. First off, if you’re thinking about becoming a foster carer then you can contact us- no question is too silly, no query too big for our dedicated team. Secondly, you can share your experiences on social media about your fostering community and tell your fostering story; the more we raise awareness, the more children we can find safe and secure foster homes for.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve taken part in the campaign in different ways. Check out what we did in 2020 and 2021 here.

How can I read more about Foster Care Fortnight?

Like and follow our Facebook page, we’ll be sharing lots of information for you.

You can visit The Fostering Network’s official website to find out exactly what they’re up to and for more information on the brilliant fostering community. From celebrities to MPs, so many people will be getting involved with Foster Care Fortnight so it’s just up to you to make sure you play a part in this life changing campaign!

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Why are weekly recordings needed?

Good and regular record keeping is important for many reasons:

• Regular recordings as to the progress of the child in many areas of their development allow professionals to identify and advocate for the needs of the child. They may allow fostering professionals to observe trends in behaviour, the emotional state of the child, strategies that are beneficial or ineffective, the impact of events at school or in terms of family contact. These observations should help shape and refine the care package that is offered to the child and can identify problems and areas for improvement. Good quality, prompt recordings can allow for powerful advocacy of children’s needs.
• Weekly recordings should capture any health concerns that might arise day to day. Having robust records can help identify health needs for children and means that carers and professionals can be responsive and proactive in ensuring children are physically healthy.
• In producing detailed and timely recordings, carers can ensure that they get appropriate support in managing some of the more challenging aspects of fostering. Understanding the emotional health of children and the challenges they present to carers, ensures that Supervising Social Workers can have open conversations with foster carers about strategies which might help. Carers and social workers can use the recordings to secure additional emotional or mental health support to support children when they need it.
• Recordings that log and celebrate the achievements of children and the progress they are making allow carers and professionals to acknowledge and praise children when they do well. Equally, children may wish to see their records at some stage in their life and it is important that they can see they were celebrated, noticed and praised for their achievements however big or small.
• Weekly records alert professionals when there are safeguarding issues for the children. Foster carers should alert professionals immediately if there are concerns around safeguarding. This may include online safety, bullying, issues arising during family contact, drug or alcohol use, disclosures of harm or abuse either present or historic, involvement with the police, instances where child or young person has been missing, criminal or sexual exploitation, significant changes in behaviour. Anything of concern should be reported by the foster carer as soon as it comes to light to ensure that children are kept safe immediately.
• Weekly recordings allow professionals to ensure that children have all their material needs catered to. Carers are required to note pocket money, savings and significant purchases they have made for the children.
• Good record keeping also helps carers to protect themselves. By recording in detail, each day carers can demonstrate a chain of evidence in the event that children make allegations against them. Whilst this happens very rarely, foster carers can take some steps to protect themselves by noting all and any incidents and recording what was said and done at the time. Any incidents where carers have had to de-escalate situations or if they have had to physically intervene must be recorded fully and immediately. Any accidents that happen should also be reported immediately as the fostering agency is required by law to report these.

What should foster carers expect to record?

Each fostering provider will have their own guidance in place as to what and how foster carers should record. Here at Eastern Fostering Services, we ask carers to consider the following areas relating to the care they are giving:

• Education. Foster carers should note how school or college is going. They should record the highlights and difficulties. If homework has been set, has it been completed? Is any extra support needed? If the child is not in education (e.g., due to illness, exclusion, etc) foster carers should detail and include date/s.
• Health. If there are health concerns, foster carers would need to record these and list actions they have taken. This should include GP, dentist, optician and other health appointments, accidents, illness, injuries and infectious diseases. If medication is prescribed/given, foster carers need to state name of medication and dosage amount given.
• Emotional and behavioural development. foster carers must record whether there are any behavioural difficulties, and the strategies they are using to manage them. Is the child showing signs of healthy emotional development or might extra support might be needed? There are robust processes in place to capture and examine any instances where physical intervention, e.g., restraint has been necessary.
• Identity. Foster carers need to consider how children feel about themselves.  Do you think they have good self-esteem? What might be affecting this? Are there any particular cultural needs or extra needs that have to be addressed?
• Family and Social Relationships. Some children in foster care can struggle with relationships so it’s a good measure of their progress and an important identifier of their needs to understand how they respond to family contact and how positive their peer relationships are.
• Social Skills and Involvement. Has the child been to any clubs or taken part in any interests or hobbies this week? Is there anything that they have expressed an interest in? It’s important to note any concerns that the foster carer has and what they might be able to do to help.
• Self-Care skills. An important role of the foster carer is to support children to develop life skills. Is the child able to do age-appropriate things for themselves? If not, how can the foster carer help them to develop?
• Personal Items. Foster carers should record what they have bought for the child: Clothes, toys, or personal items. How much pocket money did they get this week? How much savings were put aside this week? This ensures that carers are accountable for using the allowance they receive to respond to the material needs of the child.
• Safe Caring. Carers must record any child protection concerns they may have. Is it possible that the child is being bullied? Have there been any allegations made by the child or has anything happened or been said that concerns you as a foster carer?
• Carers also must record If a child/young person went missing/absconded/unauthorised absence, a serious offence by or against a child/young person or incident involving police to the home, and if a complaint is made by or concerning the child.

It sounds like foster carers are expected to do a lot! How do they remember everything?

One big advantage of producing detailed, positive and truthful records is that they allow foster carers time and space to reflect. Sometimes the very act of writing down what is happening can afford carers perspective on the situation and enable creativity in their strategies. It can also be therapeutic when things are tricky. Keeping records also allows foster carers to keep sight of progress and maintain positivity.

Many foster carers find that keeping a daily journal or diary helps them to remember everything and is used as a reference tool when writing up the weekly records. The daily journal can help the carers to note and process their own emotions and reactions to circumstances and is a valuable coping strategy. Whilst everything that is written in the daily journal won’t be appropriate for a record keeping on the child, it is a useful exercise for foster carers.

Striking the right tone.

Foster carers, like any other human, sometimes feel frustrated, angry, hurt and demotivated. It is really important that foster carers are able to separate and process their own feelings and reactions so that they can report professionally and factually.

Being self-aware and seeking support from your fostering team is important as it allows you to vent and process.

Before sitting down to write recordings, many foster carers find it useful to imagine their child reading them (which of course they may well one day want to). Recordings should be factual and observational and should not be peppered with personal opinion or judgements. Carers may well have an idea of what is behind behaviour and can express these opinions and strategies they are considering, after all they often know the child best. However, it is important that recordings are non-judgmental and well balanced.

For more information on what it takes to be a foster carer, we have lots of resources on our website. You can look us up on Facebook or contact us with your questions.

The post Fostering good habits: the importance of record keeping in fostering. appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

To foster a child or children is a wonderful thing; not only are you providing love, care and support but you’re giving young people the chance to have a stable and enriched upbringing, something they may have been lacking previously. So what are the main responsibilities when it comes to fostering a child?

What does it mean to be a foster parent?

There are challenges with looking after and raising any child. When it comes to fostering, the first thing you need to provide is compassion and love; it sounds simple but we’re looking for people who can really help bring out the best in a child. You will, of course, receive training and support from Eastern Fostering Services on your journey but an open mind and an open heart is the most important thing.

Many children in the fostering system might not have had the same experiences as other children and this can be a wonderful and enriching part of your journey as you learn and explore together with the child. From baking cakes and cookies for the first time to taking them to the playground, or helping older children to learn independence skills, there are many activities you can do with your foster child that will open up possibilities for them. To allow a child to safely explore and flourish is what it really means to be a foster parent.

Personal stories

You might also be wondering what it’s like to be a foster parent. We have a multitude of carers who have happily shared their own stories about what it means to be a foster parent.

Jim recently spoke to us about fostering with Eastern Fostering Services.

“We’ve been with Eastern Fostering Services since we started fostering. What impressed me from the start was the pastoral care they give to foster parents. It’s not always easy to foster, but the staff are always on hand to give support and advice. They put the interests of the child first, of course, but in the context of supporting foster parents to give the best care possible in the prevailing circumstances. There’s always plenty of training. And if we’ve felt the need for any specialist help, Eastern Fostering Services have been there to provide it. We’ve also benefited from a great network with other carers in the area which Eastern Fostering Services is instrumental in supporting. Finally, they have supported our wider family, including our children, and I think that has helped us make a success of fostering (so far).”

You can read more of our personal fostering stories and meet our community here.

Do I have what it takes to be a foster parent?

There are questions you’ll need to ask yourself about whether you have what it takes to be a foster parent and whether it’s right for you.

• Are you a patient person? It sounds simple but patience is key when it comes to foster parenting as you explore and experience different challenges. Whether it be the perils of getting your head around maths homework (we’ve all been there) to dealing with a long term health condition, being able to stay cool and calm under pressure while showing unwavering love is a necessity.

• Do you have a solid support network around you? From friends to family and even colleagues, the fostering process isn’t something anyone should go through alone. As well as support from us, we’d suggest you have a strong support network on hand who can share the highs and lows with you. An understanding workplace is a must as you take leave to adapt to a life with a child and all its tribulations to family who can rally around and help blow up balloons and make delicious cakes to celebrate a child’s birthday. And any parent is allowed to let off steam so make sure you’ve got a best friend on hand to encourage and cheer you on along the way.

• Can you deal with difficult subjects including child abuse, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse? As a foster parent you’ll be dealing with children from all sorts of different backgrounds so it’s important you get to grips with a range of subjects, all with our support of course. Children you take on may have experienced abuse at the hands of their parents or other people close to them and it’s important you can talk openly and honestly about heavy subjects. Many children may still be feeling the burden of abuse and/or exploitation, and will do for the rest of their lives. Remember, though, you are never alone in this and you can always contact us with any questions or concerns.

• Are you resilient? Resilience comes in many forms, it’s just about finding your balance and where your strengths lie. For example, resilience to you may look like being able to keep calm and carry on as the saying goes, or it may look like never missing reading a child a bedtime story no matter how much work you’ve got on.

• Could you open up your home and your heart to a child who needs you? Opening up your world to include a child or children in an inclusive space is so important to the fostering process. While we’re not expecting you to turn your home into a fully fledged two storey nursery, it’s important you’re willing to create a cosy space full of love.
• Do you have a deep-rooted desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children? This is the most important thing. You’re dealing with children who may have had difficult backgrounds and never experienced a positive role model in their lives- this is where you step in. From your work ethic to the way you express love and the every day details that make up the tapestry of care you’re offering, you need to have a desire to leave a lasting impression.

One final thing…

The most important thing about being a foster parent is that you can give yourself wholeheartedly to fostering. After all, the best thing about fostering is the relationship and bond between you and the child which offers them a secure base from which to thrive. If you want more information, there’s a plethora on our website or you can contact us via Facebook to find out more.

The post What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

What is ASD?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication and often includes repetitive behaviours. However, because autism is a spectrum condition it affects children in different ways. So, whilst some children will need intensive support others may just need clearer communication and a little longer to do things.

Whilst no two children with autism are the same, there are some common characteristics including –

• Difficulty reading other people, recognising their feelings and intentions and difficulty in expressing emotions.
• The need for routines so they know what is going to happen next.
• Over or under sensitivity to sounds, light, temperature, tastes or smells which can be overwhelming and sometimes lead to sensory overload.
• Highly focussed interests and hobbies which can be pleasurable but may also lead to neglecting other areas of life.
• Suffering with anxiety which can, in some cases, lead to meltdowns involving tantrums or complete withdrawal.

Fostering considerations

The world can sometimes seem confusing for children with autism. For those coming into foster care, a sudden change of environment and routine can be extremely scary and distressing. It’s important that foster carers get as much information as possible from social workers about the child’s routines, likes and dislikes and any known triggers for behaviours. This will help the child feel comfortable and secure in their environment. Any sudden changes of routine can lead to heightened anxiety and should be avoided if possible. Moreover, it can be comforting for children to be allowed to keep their familiar belongings close. Foster carers need to get to know the child but also need to accept that this may take time and patience.

Could I foster a child with ASD?

Whilst prior experience of caring for a child with additional needs is advantageous, it is not compulsory. The main qualities needed for caring for children with ASD are:

• the ability to nurture
• patience
• empathy
• understanding
• resilience
• time to commit.

 A child with a disability is a child first and foremost and even small achievements can be celebrated!

If you foster a child with ASD you will not be alone. We work closely with our foster carers to provide specialist support, training and access to therapists. So, if you feel you could help support a child with ASD get in touch by contacting us on 01206 299775, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook or contact us via our website where you will also find lots of useful information and resources.

The post Could you foster a child with Autism? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our website.

The post Can I foster if I…? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

The age guidelines for fostering state that a foster carer needs to be above the age of 21, these guidelines tend to be set by individual fostering providers so it is always worth checking. It’s important to know that there are actually no legal limits set on age, so in theory anyone over the age of 18 can foster. There is no upper age limit for fostering.

When assessing people’s capacity to foster, what is more important than age is the life experience that a propsective foster carer can bring to the table. If a fostering provider rejects an application to foster from a young adult over the age of 18, they need to explain and justfy their reasons for doing so.

I’m over 60; is that not too old to foster?

There are many amazing foster carers who fall into the 60-70 year-old age group. Foster carers who are older have a wealth of experience and can offer so much to a child. What’s more, children and young people often relate and respond to older carers very well. Many children and young people tell us that some of the most important and positive relationships in their lives have been with grandparents, and this can set the process of bonding and trust-building off to an excellent start for child and carer alike.

Numbers don’t interest us, you do!

As long as you’re fit, healthy and have the physical and emotional capacity to foster, we really don’t mind how old you are.

We’re far more interested in how you could make a difference in the life of a child. In short, we’re more interested in your experiences, skills and personal qualities than we are in the number of years it took you to gain them.

What are the qualities you look for in foster carers?

We know that the children who come through our door are a varied group. They are all shapes and sizes. They come from all backgrounds. They have all manner of emotional, educational, physical and spiritual needs. They have their own likes and dislikes. They have a whole range of talents and potential. Why should our foster carers be any different?

We need a variety of carers from all genders, ethnicities, religions, and sexuality. We need this variety in order to be able to make the best matches for the diverse children we care for. Matching children and foster carers well gives the fostering relationship the best opportunity of flourishing which brings positive outcomes for the children and rewarding fostering to the carers.

The best carers are those who are able to provide attuned care to children and young people. This requires a high degree of emotional intelligence, empathy, warmth and commitment. A foster carer needs to be able to put themselves snugly in the shoes of the children they are caring for.

Foster carers have to work with a range of professionals who are there to support the child. Therefore it is critical that foster carers are able to communicate and work well with others. Having experience of working as part of a team is useful in this regard. Communication is central to fostering, not just with professionals but with the children themselves.

Having experience of caring for or working with children is another very useful quality to have. It may be that you have raised your own children, step children or been involved with your grandchildren. It may be that you work with children in your professional life or as a volunteer.

But without doubt the most important thing we look for in a foster carer is authenticity. You must have a sincere and deep-rooted desire to positively change the life of a child. To be that person who stands by them and supports them, who advocates for them and who understands them. Without this desire, fostering will be very difficult to sustain (and also the children will sniff you out immediately!).

So, you see, it’s really not about age at all. Fostering is about who you are, what you bring and why.

If you’d like to foster and wish to talk to us further, you can contact us via our website, Facebook page or email at team@easternfosteringservices.com You can also check out some of our short videos on YouTube which cover some of the many questions we get asked about fostering.

If you would like to speak to us, you can call us on 01206 299775.

The post Am I too old to foster? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Independent agency, Eastern Fostering Services are using virtual reality in their fostering training. But why? And how?

In reality, fostering is hard. Foster carers are expected to be able to cope with a range of challenges within their own home. Children come into foster care with all manner of grief, pain and damage and this can manifest itself in many ways.

Virtually anything can happen…

• Challenging behaviours
• Attachment issues or disorders
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self harm
• Drug and alcohol misuse
• Violence or aggression
• Sleep disorders
• Mental health problems
• Confusion
• Delayed development
• Hypervigilance

The list goes on. Indeed, foster carers need to be able to cope with whatever fostering throws at them. Many foster carers will say that they are prepared for any eventuality! And it is a good job.

What effect does this have on foster carers?

From time to time, dealing with the daily reality of fostering can leave carers care-worn and overwhelmed. Nonetheless, it is vital for the healing of the child that the carer can continue to have empathy and understanding for the children they are caring for. Therefore, carers need to be able to put themselves into the child’s shoes in order to keep the child at the forefront of their care.

How can foster carers stay empathetic?

The professionals at Eastern Fostering Services are constantly thinking of ways they can support their carers. Moreover, they keep the care of carers central to their objective of making a positive difference in the lives of children.

They understand that supporting their carers in a variety of ways helps build resilience. In turn, this helps build successful fostering.

Virtual reality, the key to successful fostering?

When Eleanor Newman, Director of Eastern Fostering Services, heard about Cornerstone, she knew she had found something that could help carers understand why some children struggle in foster care.

The team at Cornerstone have developed a series of Virtual Reality films to help carers and professionals to understand the needs of children in or from the care system. The films range from a child in the womb, hearing domestic violence to a baby experiencing neglectful, abusive and inconsistent parenting. In addition, the films provide helpful versus unhelpful responses on the part of carers or professionals.

What benefits do the virtual reality films bring to fostering?

“Because you are IN the film,” says Eleanor. “You experience first hand what many of our children have lived. And the films really stay with you. You experience the hypervigilance, the dread and the fear – during and following the watching.”

You experience the hypervigilance, the dread and the fear.

Eastern Fostering Services are now offering the Virtual Reality films as part of the training programme for foster carers. Moreover, they have begun using it as part of the Skills to Foster Training which is part of the fostering assessment.

“It is vital,” says Eleanor. “That carers are able to understand what our children have experienced and how this has affected them.”

As a result of watching the films, new and old carers alike can bring that frightened child to the front of their minds.

Because of the upsetting nature of the films, carers are offered one to one support before and afterwards to help them process what they have experienced.

“The films really stayed with me and I found myself thinking about the images even weeks later. This is all happening second hand to me. So, what must it be like for my child, who lived this first hand? It has really helped me to walk in my child’s shoes,” says foster carer, Lucy.

Want to know more? Contact Eastern Fostering Services at team@easternfosteringservices.com

The post The Virtual Reality of fostering appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

This month we have had numerous requests for carers for young mothers and their babies, small and large sibling groups and children entering or well-established into their teen years.

To cope with the demand for carers across a wide range of children, we need carers of all sorts. There isn’t a “one size fits all” mould for carers. Carers can be of all backgrounds, religious persuasion, sexuality, race or standing. What we hope to find in potential carers is a desire to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people and to promote their needs.

It may be that you feel an affinity to teens having had a colourful or challenging adolescence yourself. Perhaps you believe that mothers should be given every opportunity to parent their own children with confidence. It may be that you feel strongly that siblings who are unable to live with their birth families have the right to remain with each other. Fostering can cater to all these beliefs and motivations and indeed much of the above is simply impossible without a wide pool of carers to do the hard work.

If you are interested in making a difference to young mothers seeking guidance, to teens who need someone to believe in them or have enough space and time to help siblings thrive. If you want to nurture, guide and advocate for young people or children, please get in touch to find out more.

We hold events across Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Our next events are in Peterborough on 29th October and we will be holding an informal drop in on 7th November at our offices. Drop us a message and try to come along. For further information visit our events page or email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com

The post Which children are most in need of foster carers? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

What is Mother and baby fostering?

There are some young parents who, for various reasons, may be ill-equipped for parenting. Indeed, they may have experienced chaotic, inconsistent parenting themselves as children and not have a positive role model from whom to se. Some young people are victims of sexual exploitation and may not be in a position to keep their new baby safe. Some young parents may have learning difficulties. Therefore, they need additional support to bond with and care for their children. In some cases, new parents have to overcome mental health, domestic violence, abuse, addiction or attachment issues.

Many people seem to think that babies are routinely taken from their mothers. Increasingly, foster carers have an opportunity to help babies stay with their birth mothers.

What are the challenges of mother and baby fostering?

Carers fostering young mothers and babies have to strike a balance. Consequently, they walk a line between facilitating and intervening. Between guiding and stepping in.

Foster carers need to be observant but not intrusive. They need to ensure the welfare of the baby whilst also being concerned with the well-being of the mother. Foster carers need to judge without being judgemental.

Fostering mothers and babies is not easy. Many young mothers do not have a positive experience of being parented. Consequently they do not have knowledge to draw on. Therefore foster carers must provide guidance at a time when mothers are feeling defensive.

What does successful mother and baby fostering look like?

When it works, mother and baby fostering offers something exceptionally precious for children. Ideally we believe children should be with their birth parents where they are able to be kept safe and loved. Fostering mothers gives them the chance to prove they can care for their babies. In addition, it gives young mothers an opportunity to regain custody of other children they may have previously lost. When successful foster carers are able to interrupt the generational cycle of going into care.

Want to know more about fostering mothers and babies?

If you want to know more about fostering babies and their young mums, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, like our Facebook page or call us on 01206 299775.

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