Becoming a foster carer gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting difference to a young person’s life – and many carers find the experience just as life‑changing for themselves. While fostering is incredibly rewarding, it can also be challenging at times. That’s why at Lorimer, we invest heavily in our foster carers, giving you the confidence, support, and training you need so you can focus on what matters most – caring for a child.

“A foster home should be a safe haven – somewhere a child feels secure, valued, and loved. A place they can truly call home.”

Children and young people come into foster care for many different reasons, but always because their parent(s) are unable to safely care for them at that time. Some children may have experienced neglect, loss, trauma, or abuse, while others may be affected by family breakdown or illness.

For many children, this is all they have ever known – it is their “normal”. Being separated from their family can feel confusing and frightening, and children may express their emotions in ways that seem challenging, such as withdrawing, pushing boundaries, or displaying difficult behaviour.

These responses are not personal. They are often coping mechanisms developed to protect themselves from further hurt. With patience, consistency, and care, foster carers help children build trust, feel safe, and begin to heal. Over time, many children learn to relax into family life and recognise the care being offered to them.

Foster carers provide a welcoming, supportive, and nurturing home where children and young people feel respected, valued, and included as part of the family.

Every fostering experience is different. Day‑to‑day responsibilities vary depending on the child’s age, needs, and long‑term care plan, but foster carers play a vital role in supporting all aspects of a child’s life, including:

• Education – encouraging learning, attending meetings, and celebrating achievements
• Health – attending appointments and promoting physical and emotional wellbeing
• Emotional and social development – offering guidance, boundaries, and reassurance

Foster carers help children develop positive routines, healthy relationships, and the confidence to grow into independent, responsible adults.

Just as importantly, you are never alone in your role. Foster carers work as part of a wider professional team that may include social workers, teachers, and therapists. At Lorimer, our carers also receive a high level of ongoing support, supervision, and training to make sure they feel prepared, supported, and valued every step of the way.

“We recognise the dedication and commitment of our foster carers and understand that professionalism develops with the right support. That’s why we place our carers at the heart of everything we do – providing ongoing training, intensive support, and a competitive financial package. From your very first enquiry and throughout your fostering journey, Lorimer is here to support you every step of the way.” Zoe, Fostering Administrator