6 Ways to Help Your Foster Child Settle In When Fostering in Wales

Fostering in Wales is a rewarding experience, but it can also be a time of significant adjustment for both the child who is looked after, and the foster parents. Ensuring a child in your care feels as comfortable as possible from day one is key to building trust and helping them feel safe in their new environment. At Family Fostering Partners (FFP), we understand the importance of creating a nurturing space; Here is a guide on how to make a child who is fostered feel at home.

The Importance of Creating a Welcoming Space When Fostering in Wales

Many foster parents expecting a child to come and stay with them might be wondering how to make a child who is fostered feel at home. When fostering in Wales, it’s crucial to consider how a child coming to stay with you might be feeling. Your home and the people living with you will be totally new to them, so whilst you may have been fostering in Wales for a while, and be used to sharing your home, for a child who is fostered this may be an entirely new experience.

Making sure their bedroom is a comfortable and neutral space can go a long way to make a child who is fostered feel at home. Where possible, involve them in decorating the room by asking what colours they like or what kind of bedding they'd prefer. Letting them know they have a say can help them feel a sense of belonging.

“To prepare for a child to come in, we've got a blank canvas bedroom that's very neutral, and just before they come, we get out all the toys and books that we think they would be suitable and that they might have an interest in. We always make sure we've got a freezer full of foods that we probably wouldn't necessarily feed them all the time, but that they are bound to like, like chicken nuggets and pizzas and smiley faces, just something we know that most children would eat” Explains Becky, who enjoys fostering in Wales with Family Fostering Partners.

Establish Familiar Routines

Routines provide structure and a sense of security, especially for children who may have experienced neglect. Set consistent times for meals, bedtime, and activities, while also being flexible as the child in your care adapts. Understanding their past routines can also help ease the transition and make a child who is fostered feel at home in their new surroundings.

Memory Boxes from Family Fostering Partners

At Family Fostering Partners, we give every family fostering in Wales a special memory box. This allows children who are fostered, and those fostering in Wales, to keep cherished items or collect new memories as they grow with you. Having a safe space to store personal mementos can be a comforting way for children to connect with their past while building new experience and in time, will make the child who is fostered feel at home. “Memory boxes are so important to these young children that come into our family.  We will remember things that we've done, but these children will forget, and they can look back in years to come, see all of the lovely things we have done. It helps them to form their identity. “ explains Becky.

Encourage Open Communication

Fostering in Wales isn’t just about providing a home, it’s about offering emotional support too. Encourage a child in your care to share their feelings with you. Let them know it’s okay to talk about their past, ask questions, or simply express how they’re feeling. Creating a safe space for open communication is crucial to helping them settle in.  Davin, a care experienced individual, was fostered in Wales by Family Fostering Partners foster parents Jackie and Andy, He explains how their open and honest communication continues to this day “You find your family, and I found them, so the support I have is them still being like parents to me, they're always there. If I need to call them, if I need to text them, I'm going there for Christmas to spend Christmas with them. I was there for my birthday, so I'm always doing visits on the train and still in contact via the phone. I always have their support.”

Help Them Connect with Their Culture and Community

If a child in your care is from a different cultural or religious background to yourself, it is important to learn about their customs, traditions and beliefs.  Integrating these elements into daily life can make a huge difference in helping a child who is fostered feel at home. Additionally, introducing them to community activities and encouraging participation in local events that align with their interests, beliefs or values can help a child who is fostered to feel at home. For those fostering in Wales with Family Fostering Partners, your link worker will always be on hand for tips and guidance about helping the child in your care connect to their community, and how to make a child who is fostered feel at home in your care.

The Importance of Patience and Time when Fostering in Wales

Settling into a new home takes time, and every child will adjust at their own pace. Be patient, understanding that they might be navigating complex emotions. Small, consistent gestures of care and compassion will slowly help them build trust and begin to feel truly at home with you.

Steve, who began fostering in Wales over 10 years ago, explains his favourite moments in fostering; “I would say, looking back, I think the best thing to say about being foster carer is seeing small little changes. Those small little changes or the things they are doing probably don't mean a lot to us as we do them without thinking, but to see children do that is amazing. For example, suddenly they start brushing their teeth and they do them every day, not something they used to do, or they pick up a knife and fork for the first time, and start using it properly, making their bed, which is also so important.”

Begin Fostering in Wales Today

Fostering in Wales is about more than just providing a roof over a child’s head; it’s about creating a space where they can thrive and grow. At Family Fostering Partners, we will always be on hand with advice and guidance on how to make a child who is fostered feel at home, and throughout your fostering journey in Wales, when fostering with us, you can guarantee that help, support and training will always be readily available to you and your family.

Begin your fostering journey with us today. Use the ‘talk to us’ feature in the bottom right hand corner to ask us a question,  ‘Book a Call’ to speak to a member of the team, or complete our application form!