Fostering vs. Adoption: Which is Right for Me?

On the fence about whether you should foster or adopt?

In the latest episode of the Let’s Talk About Fostering podcast, host Faye sits down with Tim Jarvis, a bearded biker, former doorman, and business owner who has lived experience of both fostering and adoption.  

He and his wife Claire have been fostering for 14 years and currently have a teenager in their care, alongside raising their adopted daughter and biological son. Tim shares his insights into fostering, adoption, and what it’s like to be an unconventional foster parent.

What do Faye and Tim chat about?

Tim provides an honest account of what it’s like to foster vs. adopt and how they differ – from assessments and family time arrangements to life story work and support.   

If you’re ready to hear Tim’s take, tune in to him talking to Faye about: 

  • What inspired him and Claire to foster 
  • Fostering below the UK average age of 54 
  • What it’s like to be an unconventional foster parent 
  • The importance of diversity in fostering 
  • The dynamic between Tim and his foster daughter 
  • From only fostering teenagers to adopting the baby they fostered  
  • Tim’s advice on how to decide between fostering and adoption 
  • The key differences between fostering and adoption 
  • The truth about the fostering assessment  
  • The reality of adoption  
  • Helping a child understand their past 
  • Nurturing a sense of identity in foster kids 
  • Talking to birth children about adoption 
  • Quick fire questions  
  • Traits of a good foster parent  
  • Treating every child in the home the same 
  • Advice for prospective adopters and foster parents 
  • Who can foster 
  • Tim’s favourite moment so far 

“Anyone, anywhere can foster a child… and make an amazing difference.”

 

🎧 Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.

Are you ready to make a difference?

If you’d like to learn more about fostering with FCA, call us today on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form. 

Whether you have specific questions or just want to find out more about the support, training, and allowances we offer here at FCA, our team are ready to help you.  

You can also discover what it’s really like to be a foster parent by listening to our other podcast episodes, reading our foster parent stories, and checking out our latest news and blogs.  

More Fostering Stories: 

The Truth About Fostering Babies & Under 5s

Want to know what it’s really like to foster very young children?

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Fostering podcast, host Faye sits down with FCA foster mum Jamila, who began her journey 6 years ago after being inspired by her sister, who has fostered with FCA for 15 years.  

She currently cares for a 2- and 3-year-old sibling pair alongside a 5-month-old boy but has also cared for older children and has three teenagers of her own. 

Jamila and Faye explore the realities of fostering babies, including the joys of this type of fostering, how it differs from fostering older children, common misconceptions and how to prepare both practically and emotionally for their arrival and departure.  

What to expect from this month’s episode 

Jamila gets real with Faye about fostering babies, which at FCA typically means children between the ages of 0 and 3. 

So if you’ve ever been curious about becoming a foster parent to young children, sit down, relax, and listen to Faye and Jamila discuss: 

  • The difference between caring for younger and older children. 
  • Jamila’s favourite thing about caring for under 5s. 
  • The rewards of helping children feel safe enough to be themselves. 
  • The very real impact of trauma on young children. 
  • Misconceptions about fostering babies. 
  • Helping toddlers feel stable when welcoming a new child. 
  • How to practically, mentally, and emotionally prepare for a new foster child. 
  • Fostering babies on their own 
  • Challenges of fostering babies.  
  • Fostering babies alongside siblings 
  • A brief overview of parent and child fostering. 
  • Preparing and coping with saying goodbye to young children.  
  • Fostering siblings, and why it’s important to keep them together.  
  • Jamila’s favourite memory of fostering babies. 

“It’s being able to be part of pure innocence and joy from a little one. You can’t beat that feeling.“

 

🎧 Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.

Learn more about fostering today 

If you’d like to make a real difference in the lives of children in care, whether they’re babies, toddlers or teenagers, call us today on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form.  

From fostering allowances, support and training to what to expect when you welcome your first child, our friendly advisors are ready to answer any burning questions you may have.  

More Fostering Stories: 

What is meant by types of fostering? 

What is meant by types of fostering? 

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

From long-term and parent and child foster care to staying put and sibling fostering, in the latest episode of Let’s Talk About Fostering, host Faye welcomes FCA foster parent Claudia to share her experiences with the different types of fostering.  

Claudia and her husband foster four children, alongside raising their own daughter and have years of experience changing the lives of young people in care.  

Their journey highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to fostering, and at FCA, we’ll help you foster in a way that suits you and your family. 

What you’ll learn in this episode  

Faye and Claudia delve into some of the lesser-known types of fostering while also exploring the importance of cultural sensitivity and celebrating each child’s identity.  

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect from this episode: 

  • Discovering the various types of fostering.  
  • From long-term fostering to ‘staying put’. 
  • What ‘staying put’ really means and why it matters.  
  • Welcoming a parent and baby into your home.  
  • The rewards of parent and child fostering.  
  • Cross-cultural fostering and nurturing a child’s identity.  
  • Claudia’s standout fostering moments.  

“If you can change one person’s story, you change their children’s lives and future generations too.”

🎧 Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.

Get in touch today 

If you’re ready to learn more about the various types of fostering we offer here at FCA, along with our support, training, and fostering allowances, we’d love to hear from you.  

Call us on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form. Our experienced team are on hand to discuss fostering in more detail and help you begin your journey of becoming a foster parent.  

More Fostering Stories: 

So you’re thinking of fostering?  

Thinking about becoming a foster parent, but not sure where to start?  

We have just launched our ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering‘ podcast, where you can learn everything there is to know about being a foster parent, from how to get started to what it’s really like day-to-day.  

In the latest episode, host Faye chats with our incredible foster parent Alison, who has been fostering with FCA since 2017. Alison is a single foster mum who cares for teenagers, something she describes as ‘brilliant fun if you can get on their level.’ 

She talks honestly about leaving her job after 32 years, going through the assessment and panel process, the training and support she receives from us here at FCA, and what it felt like to welcome a young person into her home for the very first time. 

What’s covered in this episode? 

Faye and Alison delve into everything you need to know about starting your fostering journey, offering a glimpse into the life of a foster parent with FCA.  

In this episode, they chat about: 

  • Things to think about at the start of your fostering journey.  
  • Why your age, being single, and not having children can be benefits, not barriers.  
  • The reality of the fostering assessment and panel process. 
  • What training with FCA looks like – and why you don’t need experience to join us. 
  • How it feels to welcome your first foster child home.  
  • How fostering changes your life.  
  • The myths surrounding children in care. 
  • Alison’s advice for anyone thinking about fostering.  
  • Alison’s favourite fostering moment.  

“Fostering has brought me so much joy, and I would hope it’s brought the children so much too.” 

 

Start your fostering journey today 

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, call us on 0800 023 4561 or submit an enquiry. Our friendly and knowledgeable team are ready to answer your questions and help you get started on your fostering journey. 

More Blogs: 

Let’s Talk About Fostering – Introducing Our New Podcast

We’re excited to share our brand-new podcast, Let’s Talk About Fostering. Hosted by Faye, the podcast brings together real voices from across the Polaris Community, including care-experienced people, foster parents, those who grew up in fostering households, and fostering professionals. Together, they talk openly and honestly about what fostering is really like – the ups, the challenges, and everything in between.

In the first three episodes, you’ll hear from Jo August, our CEO, who grew up in a fostering family and brings over 35 years’ experience in the sector; Alison and Theresa, foster parents, sharing their personal journeys; and Jim McGarrigle, Responsible Individual across a number of our fostering services.

All offering insight from years of professional experience. Together, they explore fostering from every angle, grounded in real life, not theory.

The podcast is full of honest stories from foster parents, myth-busting conversations about fostering, practical tips, and insights from the journey. You’ll also hear from care-experienced staff, people who grew up in fostering, and long-time foster carers. It’s perfect for anyone who is curious about fostering, unsure if it’s right for them, or looking for reassurance from people who’ve been there.

It’s a space to listen, learn, and reflect, hearing real experiences that can help you decide what fostering might look like for you.

🎧 Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.

Three episodes available now!

How you can support the podcast

If you’re able to, here’s how you can help us share these important conversations:

  1. Listen – tune in and explore the episodes
  2. Engage – like, follow, subscribe and leave a review
  3. Share – help spread the word within your own networks

More News: 

June 15 2026

Going the Extra Mile Together

Over the weekend of 13th–14th June, FCA and FCA Scotland came together for the annual “Going the Extra Mile” event, uniting foster families, children, young people, and staff in a shared challenge that went far beyond its 3,155-mile target. With over 3,200 miles completed through walks, runs, rides, and adventurous activities, the weekend was a powerful celebration of connection, community, and support across the FCA fostering family.

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