If you’re already a foster carer and considering changing foster agencies, why not join the Footprints family? Here are some of the reasons our existing foster carers chose (and continue to stay) with us:
If you feel unsupported or isolated in your current fostering agency, we’d love to show you how it should be done! At Footprints, we provide 24/7, highly personalised support to all our foster carers and a qualified social worker who knows you and your family circumstances well. You will never have to explain your situation to a stranger, and you’ll gain access to our support groups, local community and social networks. We know fostering can be hard, and are passionate about providing the support carers need.
As a foster carer, you rely on clear and prompt agency communication to do your job effectively. Delays over case updates, training, or general enquiries, can be hugely frustrating and can lead to carers feeling disconnected or underappreciated. At Footprints, we pride ourselves on being available to you 24/7 – responding promptly to questions with a service that is personal to you.
We’re a small, independent agency and, as such, are able to offer a uniquely warm and welcoming environment where you’ll feel valued, listened to, and part of a supportive community.
Fostering can be complex, and carers often need specialised training to deal with specific issues (e.g., behavioural problems, trauma-informed care). When you transfer to Footprints, you’ll get access to ongoing training to equip you with the skills and confidence needed for every stage of your fostering journey, including specialist courses for solo fostering and therapeutic care. You’ll also receive complimentary membership of FosterTalk.
At Footprints, we believe becoming a foster carer isn’t just about helping children – it’s also about personal development. Our resources, training, and support help you grow into confident, skilled advocates for young people and children.
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.
As an independent fostering agency, Footprints is able to offer a competitive fostering allowance of up to £500 per child per week, depending on the needs of the children.
In addition to the core allowance, you may be eligible for additional payments for specific circumstances, such as fostering children with special needs or taking on emergency placements. Find out more about fostering allowances.
You may find yourself at a stage where your current fostering agency’s approach to fostering no longer aligns with your own. For instance, it may feel like your agency is more focused on policy or numbers than the child or supporting its carers.
At Footprints, our goal is to be there for every child and young person entrusted to our care. And we know, in order to achieve that, we need to offer the best possible support to both children and carers. Alongside training and 24/7 support, our carers benefit from regular feedback, acknowledgment of achievements and celebration of milestones. Feeling appreciated is a key part of fostering long-term commitment!
We know fostering can be hard and we feel that it is vital to get the support right by listening to our carers and making changes from feedback to ensure our service is providing carers with what they need.
Footprints has a deep understanding of our local community in Bournemouth, across Dorset and the surrounding areas. This knowledge, and the strong relationships we’ve built with local authorities, schools and healthcare services, supports our foster carers in navigating challenges and achieving the best results for the children in their care.
We know there may be many valid reasons why foster carers wish to change agency, but some may be concerned that the process of transferring is too difficult. However, every foster carer has the right to change agency and the process may be simpler than you think.
If you are looking to transfer to a fostering agency where you will be personally known, valued and recognised as an important part of the team, please contact us by calling 01202 573408.
Footprints Foster Care Ltd
Registered Company No 07879639
Longham Business Park
168 Ringwood Road
Ferndown
Dorset BH22 9BU
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.
This will close in 20 seconds
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.
This will close in 20 seconds
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.
This will close in 20 seconds
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.
This will close in 20 seconds