Welcoming a child or young person into your home as a foster carer can be a time filled with uncertainty, for both you and the child. While you may be eager to make them feel safe, comfortable, and part of the family, they may be carrying experiences of loss, trauma, or instability that make settling in tricky.
Even when children are in a safe environment, adjusting to a new home, new rules, and new relationships can bring up complex feelings. Distressed behaviour, withdrawal, or sudden changes in mood are not unusual. This doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong – it simply means the child is processing big emotions in the only way they know how.
The good news is that with patience, empathy, and a few practical strategies, foster carers can help children and young people find their feet and begin to thrive.
Many children entering foster care have lived with uncertainty or chaos. They may have experienced broken promises, sudden changes, or frightening situations. One of the most powerful gifts you can offer is a sense of safety and routine.
This doesn’t mean making your home rigid or inflexible. Rather, it’s about offering consistency: regular mealtimes, a predictable bedtime routine, and clear house rules that are explained gently. When children know what to expect, it helps calm their nervous system and builds trust.
Simple rituals such as a familiar bedtime routine, a set place at the dinner table, or a regular weekend activity can reassure children that their needs will be met and that they are safe.
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