If you’ve ever wondered whether fostering might be for you, there’s never been a better time to find out more. The government has been reviewing the national standards that shape how fostering works in England, and the new draft puts foster carers much closer to the heart of things.
Here’s what’s changing, in plain English, and what it could mean for you.
A bit of background
Every fostering service in England, including us here at Banya, follows a set of national standards. They set out what good fostering looks like: how carers are recruited and assessed, how children are cared for, and how services support the families who open their homes.
This summer, the Department for Education published a fresh draft of those standards and asked foster carers, young people, social workers and fostering services for their views. The consultation closed earlier this month, and the government is expected to publish its response later this autumn. The details may still change a little, but the direction is clear and very encouraging.
Foster carers are trusted to be parents
One of the biggest themes in the new draft is trust. Foster carers are often the people who know a child best: their favourite foods, what worries them at bedtime, what makes them laugh. The new standards recognise that and say foster carers should be treated that way.
In practice, this means more freedom to make everyday decisions without needing to ask permission first. Things like a sleepover at a friend’s house, a school trip, or a new haircut are the ordinary moments that help children feel like part of a family. The draft encourages services to cut unnecessary red tape so children can simply get on with being children.
More support, especially in your first year
Starting out as a foster carer is exciting, and it’s natural to wonder whether you’ll know what you’re doing. The new standards include a clear framework for what carers should learn and feel confident with during their first year. Fostering services also have a duty to help you get there.
So you won’t be expected to have all the answers on day one. You’ll have training, guidance and people alongside you as you grow into the role.
Help when you need it, not weeks later
Every family has tough days, and foster families are no different. The draft standards put a strong focus on getting practical help to carers quickly when a child’s home needs extra support. That could be advice, a listening ear, or specialist input. The idea is simple: when you and the child you care for are supported, placements are more stable and children feel more settled.
Fairer, more timely handling of concerns
We know some people worry about what happens if a concern is ever raised about them as a carer. Foster carers have told the government that this process can feel stressful and slow. The new standards aim to make it fairer and more timely, while still keeping children’s safety at the centre. It’s a welcome change for carers and the children they look after.
Recognising kinship and family carers
The draft also gives specific attention to kinship carers: grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and family friends who step in to care for a child they already know. Their situations are often quite different, and the standards recognise they may need a different kind of support.
Keeping children connected to who they are
The standards also emphasise helping children stay connected to their identity, culture and family relationships. Every child comes with their own story, and a big part of fostering is helping them hold on to it, whether that’s keeping in touch with brothers and sisters, celebrating cultural traditions, or simply making sure they feel proud of where they come from.
So what does this mean if you’re thinking about fostering?
Put simply, the new standards describe the kind of fostering experience every carer deserves. You’ll be trusted, supported, listened to and properly prepared. And at the heart of it all is the thing that matters most: helping children not just to be safe, but to heal, belong and thrive.
At Banya, a lot of this will already feel familiar. We’ve been supporting foster families since 1997, and we’ve always believed that placements work best when carers are properly backed up. Our team is there for you day or night, all year round, and you have your own supervising social worker who gets to know you and your family well. You get training from your very first steps, both online and face to face, plus regular support groups where you can share experiences with other carers. We also arrange respite breaks for when you need some time for yourself, and we help you support children from different cultural backgrounds to keep and celebrate their identity. So as the new standards take shape, we’re ready to build on what we already do, not start from scratch.
Want to find out more?
If you’ve been thinking about fostering, even if it’s just a “maybe one day”, we’d love to chat. There’s no pressure and no question too small. Give our friendly fostering advisors a call on 0800 989 0135 or message us via the website.
