13 ways to prepare your home for a child who is fostered

During the health and safety assessment of a fostering home, social workers check that the home is ready to welcome a child. The home must be clean, reasonably tidy and safe. Bedrooms are also checked, and the proposed child’s bedroom must either have neutral decorations or be decorated to suit the children expected to be fostered. The child’s bedroom must have a bed, storage for clothes and the children’s other items, and may also need space to study.

After approval, when a child (or siblings) is matched to the fostering home, the foster carers may wish to personalise the bedroom, or other areas of the home, for the child. Here are some things that foster carers can do to prepare their home for a foster child:

1. Check that the child has seen your family profile so that they know the basics about the household and members of the household. If not, offer to share and talk through the profile with the child (when appropriate to do so).

2. Discuss routines with the child (and/or their social worker) and if necessary, compromise so that the child isn’t required to make too many changes to the routine that they are accustomed to.

3. Create a welcome pack for the child. In the pack you may wish to include the fostering provider’s ‘Children’s Guide’ if it is available in paper format; at Sparks Fostering the guide is available in writing (in various languages) and as an animation on the agency website. The pack may have snacks and toys for the child – the child’s social worker should tell the fostering provider about the child’s preferences during the matching process. Make sure that dietary requirements are clarified before given the child any food. Consider healthy snacks in addition to sugary snacks.

4. Check that the child has pyjamas, toiletries, toys and other basic items. If not, make a trip to a local supermarket and purchase a few items to tide the child over for a few days. After a few days, invite the child to choose any other items needed (if the child is willing and able to choose).

5. Items to support the child’s religious identity: For example, a child of Muslim heritage may be welcomed with a prayer mat, prayer beads, ornaments for the bedroom or appropriate books. The carers may also want to purchase halal meat for the child.

6. Items to support the child’s cultural identity. For example, a child of Black heritage, their social worker may be able to advise which hair or skin products are best suited for the child.

7. Note the items the child arrives with and try to keep them in good condition. Write a list of the child’s items and share it with your social worker and the child’s social worker. Repair or clean any items that need to be looked after.

8. Bedding and decorations for the bedroom can be purchased to meet the person preferences of the child when the child has settled into the home.

9. Check that the home complies with health and safety considerations. For example, toxic substances and medications should be out of reach or locked away. Fragile and potentially dangerous items (e.g. glass vases) should be out of reach of children.

10. If there is limited information about the child, or if concerns have been raised about the child’s behaviour, carer’s should not leave valuable items (such as phones, money and games consoles) unattended with the child.

11. Cook the child’s favourite meals and/or take them out to eat within the first days

12. Plan to take the child to their favourite outings and activities and tell them so they have something to look forward to.

13. Try to keep the home calm and limit the number of visitors. Tell family and friends the child needs a few days to settle in.

Most importantly, children should be welcomed to the home with warmth, compassion and patience. The child must be reassured that they will be safe, their views respected and that carers will do what they can to help the child feel welcome and valued.