Foster care gives you a safe, caring home when you can’t live with your family. A foster carer looks after you, supports you day-to-day, and helps you feel settled while plans are made about your future.
Foster care offers a safe and supportive place to live when staying with your family isn’t possible. It might be short term or long term, depending on what’s happening in your life. At Step by Step, our foster carers are carefully trained and supported to give you the care and stability you need while decisions are being made about your future.
Our fostering service is registered and inspected by Ofsted, so you can trust that we meet high standards for safety and care. You’re not just being placed somewhere, you’re being supported by people who want to help you feel safe, respected and heard.
Foster care means living in the home of a trained carer or carers. You’ll have your own bedroom and a calm, stable environment where people support you day-to-day.
It’s not a punishment and it’s never your fault. Sometimes families go through difficult times, and adults make arrangements to keep you safe. This happens for all kinds of reasons: it could be because something is happening at home, or because you've come to the UK without someone to care for you.
You’ll still go to school, do the things you enjoy, and have a say in the things that matter to you.
Foster care is for young people who need somewhere safe to live while plans are being made about their future. Some placements are emergency placements, where you stay with a foster carer while a suitable longer-term plan is worked out. Others are short-term, which might last weeks, months or even a couple of years while professionals decide whether you can return to your family or move into a longer-term foster placement. Some young people stay in long-term foster care until they turn 18, building a lasting connection with their foster family.
There are lots of reasons why someone might be fostered:
Whatever your circumstances, Step by Step is here to make sure you have support, consistency, and someone in your corner.
Every foster placement is different, but all foster carers are trained and supported to provide safe, stable homes. You’ll have your own space, some shared routines, and adults who care about how you’re doing.
A foster carer will:
You’ll also have a social worker and a care plan. You're not expected to figure everything out on your own.
It's completely normal to feel unsure, anxious or confused at times — especially if you’re new to foster care. If something doesn’t feel right, or you just need someone to talk to, there are people who are here to help and listen:
You don’t have to wait for something to be really wrong to ask for support. Even if it’s just a bad day, or you’re feeling overwhelmed, that matters too.
Step by Step is here for you as well. We understand that being in care can feel like a lot to deal with, and we’ll always take the time to listen.
In many cases, yes — but it depends on your care plan. Your social worker will talk to you about who you want to see and what’s possible. Your views are important and will be taken seriously.
You won’t choose a specific foster carer, but your social worker will work with you to find a good match. This is called the matching process. It’s different for everyone, and we take it at your pace. You will have the chance to meet the foster carer before moving in, so you can get to know them and ask questions. We want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident that it’s the right fit. If something isn’t working, you have the right to speak up, and your views will be taken seriously.
We know that staying in your current school can feel really important, especially if you're settled or have good support there. Sometimes it's possible to stay where you are, but often foster care placements are further away, and changing school might be part of that. If that happens, we’ll help you settle into your new school and make sure you have the support you need to keep learning and doing the things you enjoy. Education is important, and everyone involved should support you to stay on track.
Yes. Your belongings — like your clothes, phone, books, or anything that matters to you — can come with you.
Your social worker will talk to you about the people you want to stay in touch with. It might not always be straightforward, but your views will be listened to.
They’ll know what they need to keep you safe and well, but not everything. You have a right to privacy, and anything you choose to share is up to you.
You can speak to your Step by Step social worker, your local authority social worker, your advocate, IRO, someone at school, or Childline. You don’t have to go through your carer if that doesn’t feel right.
Foster care is usually for younger children and teens. If you're older and more independent, you might move into Supported Lodgings or Supported Accommodation if its right for you. These are different types of safe housing for 16–24 year olds.
of young people in care are in foster placements
young people in England are in foster care
of children and young people in the foster care system are waiting to be placed
If you're already in care and want to speak to someone, or you're about to be placed and feeling uncertain, we’re here for you. You can speak to your social worker or contact Step by Step directly.
