If you’re a foster carer then holidays may mean a difficult break in routine, but they also allow for some great bonding time between you and your foster child.

If you’re a foster carer, have that little conversation with your child. Find out how they are feeling about the day, and what they might like to do this year.

Precisely how we handle our war talk will depend on the age, ability and even personality of the child involved, but there is a broad path we can follow.

Being a foster carer or a social worker can be both stressful and emotional, fun and exciting – and we should download more than we do.

If you are a foster carer you will know the drill, likewise if your organisation has a designated safeguarding officer. If you are unsure, contact the police .

To help any children in your care stay safe, check how they use the internet. Take an interest in what they watch, apps they are using, games they are playing.

It takes a lot of positive events in the lives of our foster children to help them heal, but each time you show them love and care it will have a little effect.

A pre-COVID YouGov survey revealed that despite all the merriment, our mental health can take quite a beating at this time of year.

Now we know that foster carers are masters of adaptability, organisation and loveliness, but the festive period can often put these skills to the test.

We shared some of our top tips for being prepared as a foster carer at Christmas. This time, we thought we’d delve a little deeper into a big issue.