The new school term is here, and while it’s an exciting fresh start for many children, it can bring a very different mix of feelings for children in foster care. New teachers, new routines, and sometimes a new school altogether can stir up anxiety, uncertainty, or old memories of disruption. As a foster carer, the way you support a child through this transition can make a real difference to how settled they feel, this term and beyond.
Why back-to-school can feel different for fostered children
For many children in care, school has been a source of instability rather than security; house moves, placement changes, or gaps in attendance can all make the start of term feel unfamiliar rather than exciting. Some children may mask their nerves with bravado or withdrawal rather than obvious worry, so it’s worth watching for changes in sleep, appetite, or behaviour in the days before and after term starts, not just what they say.
A few things that help, beyond the practical prep:
- Notice, don’t just ask. “How was school?” often gets a one-word answer. Shared time like the car journey home or making tea together, tends to open things up more naturally than a direct question.
- Keep the emotional temperature low at home. Even small changes can feel bigger for a child who’s already carrying a lot. Try to keep the first week or two calm and unhurried rather than packed with extra plans.
- Give worries somewhere to go. Some children need permission to say they’re anxious rather than putting on a brave face; a simple “it’s okay to feel nervous about this” can be more useful than reassurance alone.
- Don’t judge the term by the first few days. A wobbly start doesn’t predict how the rest of it will go, and a smooth start doesn’t mean everything underneath is settled either.
The support that’s there behind the scenes
Every child in care is entitled to a Personal Education Plan (PEP). This means that every term you, the school, and the child’s social worker can sit down together and think about how they’re really doing, and what they need to feel settled and thrive. It’s a good place to raise any worries about the new term early, before they grow.
There’s also extra support behind the scenes to help with this. Schools receive additional funding for looked-after children, known as Pupil Premium Plus, currently around £2,630 a year for each eligible child. It’s not something that is given direct to the carer; instead, it’s looked after by the local authority’s Virtual School Head and agreed as part of the PEP, so it goes toward things that genuinely help – a bit of extra tutoring, some sessions with a therapist, help getting to a school trip, or resources that make settling in and catching up that bit easier. If you think a child in your care could use a bit of extra support this term, it’s always worth having a chat with your supervising social worker or the Virtual School about what’s on offer.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
Every child’s response to the new term will be different, and there’s no single right way to handle it. If you’re supporting a child, Banya is here to support you through every school term and every tricky transition. Get in touch with your supervising social worker if you’d like to talk through settling a child in this term. That’s exactly what they’re there for.
Thinking about Fostering?
If you’re considering fostering or want to know more about how Banya supports families through every stage of a placement, get in touch with us on 0800 989 0135 or get in touch through our website — we’ll be happy to talk you through what it means to be part of the Banya family.
