Congratulations on becoming a foster carer! The time has arrived to welcome a child into your home. You may be feeling a mixture of emotions including excitement and nerves - that’s normal!
You may have received information about the child from your supervising social worker, the child’s social worker, and perhaps previous foster carers. If the placement is planned, you may have had an opportunity to read the child's profile information and meet them.
You may have also had a Placement Planning Meeting to discuss how the placement can meet the child's needs, including any health needs, agreed delegated responsibility, and other arrangements such as education and contact. If not, this meeting will be arranged within 5 working days of the placement, and you will also be provided with a copy of the Care Plan within 10 days.
You may have provided a 'family booklet' to be shared with the child in advance, which may include photos of your family members, pets, and home, to help the child prepare for their move. Depending on the circumstances and age of the child, you may instead want to do this with the child after they have arrived.
Double check your home safety measures, including making sure medications and cleaning materials are safely stored away and that windows and doors are secure. If necessary, fit safety latches to prevent falls from height.
You should review safer care plans with your supervising social worker and check if any risk assessments are required in relation to any known behaviors, such as going missing or self-harming.
Useful tips for those early days:
- Always welcome the child with a smile and warm tone of voice, despite your nerves. Make sure your home is warm, and don’t take it to heart if the child doesn’t seem to respond - remember they are likely to be very nervous.
- Show the child around their new home and their room and give them permission to personalize this space with their belongings, including photos of people who are special to them.
- Show them the bathroom and toilet(s) available and give them permission to use them (and to flush at night if required!)
- Ask about any food allergies or specific dietary requirements. Try to find out about favorite foods and have a supply ready. When this isn’t possible suggest going to do a food shop together to purchase these.
- Have a supply of appropriate toiletries ready (e.g. spare toothbrushes, hairbrush, sanitary products, shower gels and their own special bath/hand towels). If you are caring for a baby, check on the nappy size and any milk formula or other needs.
- Check any health needs, current medication, and/or health appointments. Check whether you will need to register the child with a local GP, dentist, and optician.
- Don’t throw away any belongings in those early days, as they may have a special significance to the child. If the child has a comforter such as a teddy bear or special blanket, don’t wash it as its smell may hold significance.
- Set some boundaries based on your safer care plan but avoid presenting a child with a list of rules (unless this is recommended due to their age/communication needs). Present them positively in an age-appropriate way; for example, "we respect privacy and knock on the bedroom door and wait to get permission to enter someone else’s bedroom”, rather than “do not go into anyone else’s bedroom without knocking”.
- Think about transport - do you have the appropriate car seat for the age of the child? If the child is travelling independently to school do you need to familiarise them with the walking route/bus stop?
- Limit your wider family and friend visits to the home initially to give the child time to settle in.
- Jot any questions down as they arise and check with your supervising social worker. Regular open communication is key to working with your fostering service.
For more advice on preparing for new placements, read our webpage on preparing for a placement.
