How can we help girls (and boys) in our care to live their best lives, yet avoid the perfect trap? Help them to enjoy the journey - praise effort.

To be a parent and child foster carer, you will need to be confident in looking after babies and have some experience, that you can pass on to the new parent.

Spending time reading to or with a foster child really can be a great opportunity to bond. That 1:1 time lets you enjoy something together without interruption.

Looking into what it means to be a carer and how it differs from traditional foster care, we will talk about how you can support both parent and child.

When children (or any of us really), feel truly heard, they feel empowered. This in turn improves their mental wellbeing and self-esteem.

As we embark on a new chapter beginning the year 2024 at Footprints Foster Care, we reflect on the success of our foster carers and Footprints team.

Armed with smartness and determination, the New Year remains a brilliant time to set ourselves a challenge to improve lives of any children we care for.

With thanks to the thousands of foster care families across the country, many children have a festive time of year in a warm and welcoming family.

Foster care at Christmas can be non-stop too, just take the above and add in one, two, or four extra children in a new home, adjusting to a new life adventure.

Foster home placement and parent and child foster care explained, including how placements work, carer roles, and the support provided throughout.