Join Us, Let's Make Our Children Stronger Together

Ideal Fostering is a well established Independent Fostering Agency, serving the West Midlands and surrounding areas, with over 40 years of experience in the area within the management team. Over the years we are proud to have been a part of hundreds of inspiring and quite simply 'happy' fostering journeys. We provide family based high quality care for Children and Young People and are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for looked after children whilst ensuring our foster carers feel well supported. Recruiting devoted, caring foster carers and getting placement matching 'right' is at the heart of what we do. Whether you are a prospective foster carer looking to join a supportive friendly agency, a Local Authority looking to place a child/young person or a young person seeking more information about Ideal Fostering, we would love to hear from you.

Interested in Fostering with us?...Please click here to contact us

April 2020 Update

So at Ideal we are fully functional and operational during the Covid Crisis!

Why?

Because lives continue for our amazing foster carers and the inspirational children they support
Because children are still coming into care, now more than ever they need good quality foster care
Because our Carers and Children in their care need support

Our entire team is here for support for our carers including carer’s own Social Worker, the Therapeutic Support team and the wider team

We are doing this by working closely under Government Guidance so staff are now working remotely where possible

Interested in Fostering? Please contact us

#Therapeutic Fostering. What are we talking about?

10 ways to help Children worried about Corona

source: www.belongt.com

1. Manage Your Own Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to threats. However, we cannot truly help others with their anxiety if we are overwhelmed by our own. So, look at ways to manage your own stress. Our children will always pay more attention to what we do than the things we say.

2. Talk About It

Often the best way to support our emotional health is to discuss our worries with someone who is able and willing to hear them. Children need guidance appropriate for their developmental stage. How can you create a safe space for your child to talk with you?

3. Then Don't Talk About It

Covid-19 understandably seems to be the only thing anyone is talking about right now. However, the more we talk about it without having any meaningful solutions, the more anxiety provoking it becomes. Have periods of talking about other things.

4. Listen and Empathise

You don’t need to have all the answers, just listening and empathising with how they are feeling plays a role

5. Don't Let The Media Control Your Home

Keep connected to the outside world, but control how much of these messages are allowed into the home.

6. Involve Them In a Survival Plan

Our natural instinct is towards survival. Involve them. What is the plan? Increase hygiene, decrease expenditure? Praise them for any good ideas they have shared. Praising them at this difficult time can-not be understated

7. Keep Their Routines

Children need life to be predictable. Mealtimes and bedtimes can remain the same as when they were at school. The rest of the day will need more creative planning – speak to your social worker or our therapeutic support team for ideas on this if this will be helpful.

8. Consider What Trauma This is Triggering

For many children their worries will be about losing loved ones, empty supermarket shelves, being stuck at home; all of which could trigger experiences of neglect before they came into care.

9. Keep In Contact With People

We have the technology!

10. Remember Most People Will Be Okay

Most people will actually be okay. Not everyone will contract the virus and the majority of those who do, will recover. This needs to be a central message to our children.

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We serve the following locations and surrounding areas; Birmingham, Walsall, Solihull, Staffordshire and all of its districts (including Tamworth, Cannock, Stoke on Trent, Newcastle under Lyme and Lichfield), Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Wednesbury, West Bromwich, Telford and Wrekin, Halesowen, Rowley Regis, Tipton, Wednesfield, Stourbridge, Bilston, Coseley, Oldbury, Coventry and Worcestershire. If your area is not on the list please still do contact us, it does not mean we do not cover you.

Ideal Fostering
Anchor House | 4 Bridgeman Street
Walsall WS2 9NW