“Taking steps towards a brighter future…”

Latest news

Footprints Foster Care has joined forces with Sunbeam Fostering, this is an exciting opportunity to develop our service across our Fostering Community and within the communities we serve.

Sunbeam Fostering is an established independent fostering agency providing services across England, with 25 years’ experience within the sector.

What is Fostering?

Fostering is caring for children or young people in your own home while their own parents are unable to look after them. Local authorities have a responsibility to look after children in their area who are in need and see fostering as a good way of meeting children’s needs.

What we offer

We are proud to offer a support service that is personal to you. You will be supported by well qualified, experienced social workers who know you and your family circumstances well. We know fostering can be hard and we feel that it is vital to get the support right.

About Us

We are an independent fostering agency offering a high quality,
personalised service to Foster Carers and children and young people across Dorset and the surrounding areas.

11.02.25
Six Screen-Free Ways to Spend a Family Half-Term
14.01.25
The Year You Start Fostering?
31.12.24
A Year to Reflect

BLOG

Read the latest news and blog articles exploring foster care in greater depth.

We’ve come up with six screen-free ways to spend a family half-term, with something suitable for all ages, budgets and abilities.

Whatever your individual situation, could 2025 be the year you change your life AND the lives of some amazing children? Could 2025 be the year you start fostering?
As we close the chapter on another remarkable year at Footprints Foster Care, it gives us time to reflect on the journey of our twelfth year providing a service to our local community.

Want to know more about fostering?

* We respect your privacy by not sharing or selling your email address. Please view our Privacy Notice for more details.

Contact Us

Footprints Foster Care Ltd
Registered Company No 07879639

Longham Business Park
168 Ringwood Road
Ferndown
Dorset BH22 9BU

T: 01202 573408

Email Us »

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Stage One Contact & home visit


Please do not be anxious about contacting us
– we promise not to put you under any pressure. We are happy to answer your questions and we need to ask questions to make sure that you meet some basic criteria, such as do you have a spare bedroom and live in the right area?
Assuming that these basic criteria are met and you are happy to proceed, we will arrange to come and meet you at your home.
The home visit usually lasts 1-2 hours and gives both parties the chance to ask lots of questions. We find out more about you and you find out more about us and what we can offer. If everyone is happy to proceed you will be given an application form to complete.
If however, having found out more about fostering, you decide that you do not wish to proceed, then do not feel embarrassed to say so. We will also be honest and let you know if we do not feel it is in your interests to proceed.

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Stage Two Assessment


If you decide to proceed, you will complete an application form and go into the assessment process. This can take between 3–6 months and is undertaken by a qualified social worker.
It is a thorough process and one which helps people understand what has shaped their lives, prepares them for the challenge of fostering and determines their motivation to foster. As part of this process, we will also undertake statutory checks and personal references, including police checks, personal and employment references and medicals.
The social worker will also meet with your personal referees, members of your household and any adult children you have living away from home to ensure they fully support your intentions to foster.

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Stage Three Initial Training


During the assessment period, you will have the opportunity to attend the Skills to Foster™ course that provides the foundation for future learning and development, as well as giving you the confidence to undertake your first placement.
You will also be required to complete a portfolio of evidence to support your assessment.

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Stage Four Fostering Panel


After stage 3 has been completed, your assessment and portfolio will be presented to a Fostering Panel. The panel is made of experienced social work practitioners and independent members, who will have carefully considered the report in advance of the panel.
You and your assessor will both attend the fostering panel to enable panel members to meet you, address any points for clarification and hear any final questions you may have.
If the panel is satisfied the requirements regarding your suitability to foster are met, they will make a recommendation to approve you as a foster carer.
The ultimate decision to approve lies with the agency decision maker, who will carefully consider the recommendation made by the fostering panel.

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