Why is matching so important in fostering?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About Fostering, Nikita from ACS shares why finding the right foster family for a child or young person matters so much. Drawing on both her professional role as a referrals officer and her own lived experience of growing up in care, Nikita explains how foster care matching works, why stability matters, and why faith, culture, identity and belonging should never be overlooked.

This episode explores the fostering referral process, placement matching, placement stability, cultural matching, and the importance of listening to children and young people in care.

What happens at a fostering panel and how do you become an approved foster carer?

In this episode of the Let's Talk About Fostering podcast, we speak to Jan Widowen, who is retiring after 20 years as a fostering panel administrator at Fostering People. Jan shares insights into how the fostering panel works, what applicants can expect, and why the assessment process is so important when approving foster carers.

If you're thinking about becoming a foster carer, this episode explains what happens behind the scenes and why the panel process is such an important step in the fostering journey.

What does it really mean to be a man in fostering?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About Fostering, host Faye chats to foster dad Phil, who fosters with his wife Leanne and their three daughters for Clifford House.

Phil opens up about challenging gender stereotypes, being a hands-on dad, why vulnerability matters, and the huge impact a positive male role model can have on children in care – especially those who may never have had one before.

He also shares honest reflections on welcoming their first foster child, balancing the needs of birth and foster children, and why men (including single men) have so much to offer in fostering.