Fostering
all ages
Why Foster a
Child of
Any Age?
At Fostering Barnsley, our foster carers experience special moments with children of all ages. Whether you're thinking about your own children's ages or your work schedule, choosing the right age to foster is important. You can help children and young people find joy and growth during their time with you, no matter their age. What matters most is creating a nurturing environment where they can thrive and grow in a healthy and supportive home.
Every stage of a child’s development brings unique rewards.
Here’s why fostering children of different ages is important:
1. Early Years
(0-3 years)
In the early years, fostering is like planting seeds of love and support that grow into a strong foundation for a child's future. These precious moments allow foster carers to create nurturing bonds that shape a child's emotional, social, and cognitive development in wonderful ways.
2. School-Age Children
(4-10 years)
Foster carers can really help children with school and education. This is the time when they can do their best and learn a lot. During these bright and curious years, foster carers have the joy of supporting children in their learning and growth. Providing a stable home environment helps build their confidence, self-esteem, and social skills. It lays the groundwork for a successful future.
3. Older Children & Young People (11+ years)
As children grow into teenagers, fostering becomes a journey of guidance and encouragement. Foster carers play a vital role in helping young people navigate school, friendships, and their dreams for the future. You are a positive role model who can inspire and shape their aspirations for adulthood.
"Being a carer can be challenging,
but to see a child in your care
flourish, become more confident,
and have more self esteem before
moving on is wonderful. To know
you were a part of that is magic."
Monique, foster carer
The Unique Rewards
of Fostering Older Children
Fostering older children and young people brings so many unique rewards that you might not have thought about.
Making a
Big Difference
Older children and teenagers are often overlooked in the foster care system. Choosing to foster older children means you're making a huge difference in their lives when they need it most.
Watch them
Change
You get to watch them grow into young adults and help them with important decisions about school and jobs.
Lasting
Relationships
The relationships you create with older children and teenagers can be strong and long-lasting. Many continue well into their adulthood.
Mutual
Learning
Older children bring their own experiences and perspectives. Our foster carers often say they learn so much from the young people in their care, making their relationship even more special.
"To see our kids flourish and
thrive, knowing how much
they’ve overcome is just amazing"
Joe, foster carer
Overcoming the
Myths
There are many myths about fostering older children that can scare away potential foster carers. At Fostering Barnsley we know first hand what it’s really like and why.
Myth busting: Older children are more challenging to foster.
While older children may have bigger personalities they also bring unique strengths and resilience. With the right support and understanding, fostering older children can be very fulfilling.
Myth busting: It’s harder to bond with teenagers.
Teenagers can form strong, meaningful relationships just like younger children. They need stability and connection, which you can give with patience and care.
