Fostering in the East of England

When you join Foster Care Associates Eastern you will be joining a motivated, child focused and caring fostering provider who has been Ofsted rated ‘Good’.

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Welcome to Foster Care Associates Eastern

Do you live in the East of England and are interested in fostering a child, or would like to hear more about what it takes to make those first steps to foster children? If so, then Foster Care Associates can help. With over 25 years worth of experience of fostering in East Anglia, Foster Care Associates has grown to become one of the largest and most established independent fostering agencies in the East of England.

Our Eastern region consists of three geographical counties that include Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.  We provide foster care for mainly six referring local authorities these consist of the following: Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Southend on Sea, Havering and Haringey. Our office is located in Colchester and we use local venues for foster carer support groups and training, to ensure these are all accessible to all our foster parents.

The ability to provide a secure and stable home environment is one of the most important aspects a child or young people needs. With over 1,987 referrals of children and young people coming from local authorities in the last year, the need for foster parents is now more important than ever.

By Phone

One of our team is available to talk to you over the phone to answer any of your fostering queries.

0149 327 8120

Live chat

You can now chat online to help you find your answers. Speak to an FCA member right away.

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Visit an office

FCA Eastern, 4 Blue Barns Business Park, Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, C07 7FX

Benefits of working with FCA

24/7 advice service

Excellent ongoing training

Access to your local fostering team

Competitive payments

Local support groups

Local social activities and events

How do Foster Care Associates offer support in Eastern?

Becoming a foster parent with Foster Care Associates Eastern has many positives.  It’s our knowledge and expertise that makes fostering with us such a rewarding experience. Our experienced team of fostering professionals will provide you with the highest levels of local support. You’ll be instantly welcomed into our fostering family and looked after too.  We'll make sure you never feel alone and will provide someone to talk to who understands what it’s like to be part of a fostering family.

  • 24/7 local support: including monthly support groups local support groups, therapeutic groups.
  • Team Parenting: a regional and national network of childcare experts who may work with each child or young person to look after every single area of their well-being.
  • Training and Development.
  • Independent advice with a FREE membership to FosterTalk.
  • A comprehensive events and activities calendar.
  • Online support: Access to a portal to read about everything that is happening at Foster Care Associates, plus access to discounts to a range of sites.
  • Foster Carer Appreciation Day.

Here to support you

Here at FCA Eastern we are committed to providing the best support, training and development for all of our new and existing foster parents.  We are a highly motivated team that are well established and experienced in fostering services, and that of the needs of children and young people. We are a team that supports with matching of children and foster parents, encompassing safety for children and families and the learning and development of foster parents.

Communication is very important which is why we ensure we stay connected with you by providing newsletters, video blogs, e-mails with updates on training, what’s happening in Eastern and other business updates.

As a foster parent you will have regular contact from the team, you will receive an allocated qualified supervising social worker and monthly professional supervision.  As well as 24/7 out of hours support by our professional, helpful staff.

Some additional support we offer includes:

  • Local support groups and therapeutic groups for foster parents to attend.
  • Support for foster parents sons and daughters.

  • Comprehensive learning and development calendar for all foster parents to access.
  • Therapeutic groups and access to a therapist to support where needed.
  • An allocated buddy to support newly approved foster parents.
  • Regional carer representatives to represent your views
  • Celebration of achievements and special yearly events.

Our children and families are also a big part of the FCA family, we have a variety of events for them to participate in such as fun activity days out and competitions.  There is independent living skills, online safety and careers advice workshops. As well as one to one support, Children’s Forums and the opportunity for consultation.

By working together with foster parents we make a real and positive difference to the lives of our children and young people along with creating a smooth and enjoyable transition to a bright, fulfilling future.

Involving our children and young people

Every child placed with us (over the age of five years old) will be introduced to our participation officer and team.  We take pride and value hearing the voices of our children and young people and are committed to making a difference in their lives.  Equally we like our children and young people to experience new things in life, perhaps something that they have not had the opportunity to explore or do before.  We hope that by providing this service is increases children and young people’s aspirations, whilst hopefully having some fun too!

The core tasks of this team and what they provide is as follows:

  • Learn a child and young person’s personal interests and hobbies.
  • Discuss the region’s activities available throughout the year.
  • Introduction ‘Meet Our Team’, and hear how we will keep a child and young person safe.
  • Consider any direct work such as education, life story, improved self-esteem and confidence work, and learn how to prepare for independence.
  • Choose and receive a memory box.
  • Receive and have explained the Young Person’s Guide – advocacy, independent visitor, and internet safety.
  • Learn of the complaints procedure and letter which is designed by young people.

Ofsted report

View Report

Statement of purpose

Read the full statement

Foster parent satisfaction survey

View results here

One of the UK’s largest leading communities of children’s service providers

We know what it takes to reach the pinnacle of success in regards to delivering the best outcomes for children and young people across our community. 100% of all FCA, and the wider Polaris services are now Good or Outstanding.

We have achieved this by listening to our staff, foster families and children. If you want to join an organisation that takes pride in striving for excellence then contact our team today.

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lady smiling

The agency support is absolutely amazing. Nothing is too much trouble. I don’t feel that I am doing this alone.

FCA Eastern foster parent

Fostering stories

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If you’re already a foster parent find out how to transfer to us

Find out more

Find your next fostering event...

Welcome from Sarah Green-Plumb, Manager in process of Registration

FCA Eastern Region consists of a regional office situated in Gorleston On Sea, Norfolk. We offer a range of placements, including emergency, short-term, long-term, bridging, parent and child, and respite placements.  We also have a regional therapist, education, and support-services staff who provide a range of support to these placements. This includes activities, direct work with children, and additional help for foster parents.

The Eastern Region Team comprises of a management team which has myself as the manager in process of registration, a fostering service manager, an office manager, and a referrals team manager, then the rest of the team includes a referrals officer, a therapist, a children’s participation officer, five senior supervising social workers, one supervising social worker and an administrator.  All staff members work collaboratively to deliver high-quality services to foster carers and the children placed in our care agency which is also supported by a quality assurance manager.

To learn more about what it takes to become a foster parent, please fill out our enquiry form and a member of our friendly team will be in touch with you.

Meet the Eastern team

Speak to our team

Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, where here to talk.



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