Child and Family Haven – Supporting Children, Families and Carers
Child and Family Haven places the wellbeing, stability and development of children and young people at the heart of everything we do, working alongside families and carers across the UK.
Welcome to Child and Family Haven
We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and understood. Our approach is built around a simple idea: children and young people thrive when they experience stability, belonging and the right support around them.
- Every child deserves to feel safe and cared for.
- Children need stability, consistency and a sense of belonging.
- Families and carers need support that reflects their individual circumstances.
- The interests of the child or young person come first, always.
Guidance and Support, Built Around You
From information about fostering to support for families and young people, our work is centred on clear, honest guidance at every step.
Fostering
Information and guidance about foster care and what the fostering journey involves.
Learn moreChildren & Young People
Supporting positive outcomes, stability and wellbeing for children and young people.
Learn moreFamilies & Carers
Helping families and carers understand the support available to them.
Learn moreSupport & Guidance
Clear information and compassionate guidance throughout your journey with us.
Learn more
Thinking About Fostering?
Fostering means opening your home and your life to a child or young person who needs a safe, stable place to stay. In the UK, foster care can be arranged for a matter of days, several years, or anywhere in between, depending on each child's circumstances.
Every child who comes into foster care has their own story and their own needs. Foster carers, alongside social workers and other professionals, help provide the stability, routine and care that allow children and young people to feel safe while decisions are made about their future.
Discover FosteringThere Is No Single Profile of a Foster Carer
Foster carers come from all kinds of backgrounds, cultures, professions and family situations. Some are single, others are couples; some own their homes, others rent; some have raised children of their own, others have not.
What matters most is the ability to offer a child or young person a safe, stable and caring environment, alongside the time and commitment fostering asks of you. Meeting the general requirements is a starting point rather than a guarantee, as every application is considered individually through a full assessment process.
Could I Foster?
Fostering Can Take Many Forms
Every child's situation is different, which is why fostering is arranged in different ways depending on what is needed.
Short-Term Fostering
Care provided for a limited period while longer-term plans are made for a child's future.
Long-Term Fostering
A stable, ongoing home for a child or young person, often until they reach adulthood.
Emergency Fostering
Immediate, short-notice care for children who need a safe place to stay right away.
Respite Fostering
Short breaks that support other foster families, carers or children with additional needs.
Sibling Fostering
Placements that keep brothers and sisters together wherever this is appropriate and possible.
Parent and Child Placements
Support for a parent and their child together, often while parenting skills are assessed.
What Happens When You Get in Touch
Every journey is different, and the exact process depends on your circumstances and the applicable requirements. Here is a general idea of what to expect.
- 1
Get in Touch
Send an enquiry or give us a call. There is no obligation and no pressure at this stage.
- 2
Initial Conversation
We listen to your circumstances, answer your questions and talk through what fostering involves.
- 3
Learn More
We share further information so you can consider whether fostering fits your life and family.
- 4
Assessment & Preparation
A fuller assessment and preparation process follows, reflecting the applicable requirements.
- 5
Moving Forward
Once ready, you move towards approval and, in time, welcoming a child or young person.
Support Every Step of the Way
We believe foster carers should never feel like they are managing alone. Our approach is built around guidance, training, communication and genuine care for carer wellbeing.
Training
Access to learning that builds confidence and practical skills.
Communication
Open, honest conversations at every stage of your fostering journey.
Safeguarding
A culture that puts the safety of children and young people first.
Wellbeing
Recognition that looking after carers helps them look after children.
Putting Children and Young People First
Every decision we support is guided by what a child or young person needs to feel safe, settled and able to thrive.
The Values Behind Child and Family Haven
These principles guide how we work with children, families, carers and one another.
Child-Centred
The needs and voice of the child guide every decision we support.
Compassion
We approach every conversation with warmth, patience and understanding.
Respect
We value every individual's background, identity and circumstances.
Safety
Safeguarding sits at the centre of everything we do.
Partnership
We work alongside families, carers and professionals as a team.
Common Questions About Fostering
A general starting point for your questions. For anything specific to your situation, please get in touch directly.
Fostering means providing a safe, caring home for a child or young person who is unable to live with their birth family for a period of time. It can be short-term, long-term or arranged around a specific need, and always aims to give a child stability and support.
There is no single profile of a foster carer. People from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, professions and family situations can be considered, including single people, couples, homeowners and tenants. What matters most is your ability to offer a stable, caring environment.
No. Owning your home is not a requirement. What matters is that your home is safe, stable and provides a suitable, appropriately sized space for a child or young person.
In most circumstances, a spare bedroom is needed so a child or young person has their own space. Specific requirements can vary, so this is something we would discuss with you directly.
Fostering can take several forms, including short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, sibling and parent-and-child placements. Each responds to a different set of circumstances and needs.
We believe foster carers should have access to clear guidance, relevant training and ongoing communication throughout their fostering journey. The exact nature of support can depend on individual circumstances.
The length of the process varies for every prospective carer, depending on individual circumstances, the checks required and the applicable requirements. We will always aim to keep you informed at each stage.
The easiest way is to make an enquiry through our contact form. An initial conversation is simply a chance to ask questions, with no obligation to go further.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you are exploring fostering, looking for information or simply have a question, we would be pleased to hear from you.