Donna, from Lincolnshire, has been fostering for nearly 15 years – and for her family, it’s just a part of everyday life.
“My kids have grown up in a fostering environment,” she says. “They don’t understand why everyone doesn’t do it. They’ll say, ‘Why don’t other people look after children like we do?’ It’s just normal for them.”
Starting out with her local authority
Donna began fostering with her local authority. And for a long time, she made it work. But over the years, she started to feel something was missing – not just in day-to-day support, but in how she was valued.
“I’d given so much to fostering, but I stopped feeling like I mattered,” she explains. “That’s when I started to look at other agencies.”
Finding FCA
Her search led her to Foster Care Associates. And straight away, she felt a difference.
“From the first phone call, FCA stood out. They were so friendly, understanding and helpful.”
She spoke to the enquiries team, who asked a few simple questions and explained what would happen next.
“That first call made a big difference,” says Donna. “Then a recruitment officer came out to meet us – just had a chat and explained the process. It really helped take the pressure off.”
Transferring from a local authority to FCA
Although the idea of transferring felt daunting at first, the process turned out to be much easier than Donna expected.
“You think, ‘Oh no, I’ve got to go back to the beginning and do a whole new Form F again.’ That’s a big thing when you’ve already done it once.”
“But FCA used a lot of the information from my original Form F. I didn’t feel like I was being scrutinised all over again. It wasn’t intrusive – it was smooth, supportive, and honestly, a lot easier than I’d imagined.”
The full transfer process – from first enquiry to approval – took around 12 weeks. And at every step, FCA were there.
“We had weekly calls from the team, just checking in and keeping us updated. Everyone was so helpful – it already felt like we were part of something.”
When it came to officially moving over, the handover was simple.
“Once we had the go-ahead, we just put in our 28 days’ notice with the local authority. FCA handled the rest – the registration and de-registration happened at the same time. I didn’t have to chase anything.”
The difference with FCA
For Donna, the biggest change has been how she feels as a foster parent.
“One of the best things about joining FCA? I feel seen again. My voice is heard. I feel important.”
She’s also noticed a huge difference in the support and openness among foster parents.
“At support meetings, for the first time in 15 years, I heard carers talk honestly about their struggles. Before, people would hide it – worried they’d be judged or seen as not good enough. But with FCA, it’s different. They celebrate everyone’s wins. That support group – it’s like therapy.”
Her advice for anyone thinking about fostering or transferring…
“If you’re thinking about it – just call FCA. The ladies on the phone are so friendly. Talk to them about what’s involved. Talk about your worries.
We don’t all have to be able to do everything. There’ll be things you’re great at – and that’s enough. You’re not expected to do it all.”
Download our Transfer Guide
Want to learn more about the benefits of transferring to FCA?
We can fast-track your assessment in just 12 weeks, allowing you to experience the benefits of our supportive community sooner than you expect. Download our transfer fostering agency guide to discover the process and advantages of fostering with FCA.
