Helping Your Young Person Deal with Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we respond to it can make the biggest difference in how we feel. As an adult, you may have some coping strategies that you rely on when stress comes your way. However, for children and young people in care who have often already experienced a lifetime of stress in their early years, it can feel too difficult to manage.  

From studying for exams and planning for the future to dealing with bullying and peer pressure, teenagers are faced with stressful situations every day. But, as a foster parent, with you by their side, they can find new healthy ways to deal with stress and build stress resilience that can help them both now and when they transition to independent living. 

If you’re unsure where to start, join us as we explore the causes and signs of stress in children and young people, along with practical tips to help you support them.  

signs of stress in children

Causes of stress in young people 

It’s no secret that when children reach puberty, they face lots of physical and emotional changes. They also enter a period of their life where they become more independent and begin discovering who they really are.  

Although this can be an exciting time for young people, it can also trigger stress. Here are some causes of stress that teenagers can encounter on a day-to-day basis:  

  • Transitioning to secondary school: Where they have to adapt to a new school environment, meet new people, and say goodbye to friends who are transitioning to a different school.  
  • Homework: As young people progress through the school years, their homework will increase, adding pressure and eating into their spare time.  
  • Exams: There is a lot of pressure on young people to achieve the best possible grades so they can continue studying at a higher level or secure an apprenticeship.  
  • Bullying: If your young person experiences bullying, it can raise their stress levels, as can worrying about the situation or having to adapt their behaviour to avoid bullies.  
  • Social media: The online world can add pressure to conform, encourage young people to participate in risky challenges, and leave them vulnerable to harmful content and cyberbullying.  
  • Body image: As their bodies change, teenagers can become preoccupied with their body image, comparing themselves to others.  
  • Peer pressure: Everyone wants to feel like they belong, especially teenagers, and this need to ‘fit in’ means they could face peer pressure to drink alcohol, vape, or get involved in other risky behaviours.  
  • Managing relationships: Whether they be romantic or platonic, relationships can be tricky to navigate during the teenage years.  
  • Planning for the future: Deciding what to do after leaving school can be incredibly overwhelming for young people.  

For children in care, stress can also amplify their trauma. This means stressful situations could trigger painful memories or a trauma response, making average teenage pressures too overwhelming for them.  

Take moving schools, for example; this can be difficult for any child, but for young people living with trauma, it can feel a lot more challenging. It means meeting new people they struggle to trust, being in a place where every sight and sound could be a threat, and having to focus when they find it difficult to sit still.  

Every child and young person responds differently to stress, but below we explore the most common signs to look out for, so you can support them through it. 

10 signs of stress in children 

  1. Eating habits: You may see a reduction or increase in their appetite.  
  2. Sleep: Maybe you can see their light on at 1 am, moving around before dawn, or struggle to get them up for school in the morning. 
  3. Physical symptoms: They may complain of headaches, stomach aches, or bite their nails and skin.
  4. Frequent illness: Stress can impact the immune system, so if you’ve noticed your young person catching a lot of colds, stress could be the cause.  
  5. Mood changes: They may seem irritable, sad, or quickly swing from one mood to another.  
  6. Changes in motivation: They may lack motivation to participate in activities they usually enjoy.  
  7. Social isolation: They may withdraw, cancelling plans with friends or choosing to spend time in their room rather than with the family.  
  8. Behavioural changes: They may find it difficult to talk about how they’re feeling, communicating their emotions through changes in their behaviour.  
  9. School refusal: They may flatly refuse to go to school or leave school early without your knowledge.  
  10. Risky behaviours: If they’re finding it difficult to cope, they may use risky behaviours to numb their feelings, such as vaping, smoking or drinking alcohol.  

When you foster a teenager, due to their trauma, they may already experience some of these signs of stress. The key is to understand what’s typical for them. This way, you’ll be able to identify changes that could indicate a rising issue, helping you support them in the right way. 

Deal with Stress

Tips for easing stress in children and teenagers 

Unfortunately, you can’t eliminate stress from your young person’s life. However, there are a few steps you can take to support them.  

stress in children and teenagers

Review their routine 

Routines support a sense of stability. However, if, over time, your young person’s schedule has become unbalanced, unrealistic or no longer reflects their current life stresses, it may be worth reviewing.  

For instance, if you notice that your young person is struggling to sleep, you could speak with them about making some adjustments to their nighttime routine.  

If watching TV or scrolling on their phone is currently a nightly ritual, you could suggest a screen-free activity instead, such as having a warm bath or reading a book. The blue light emitted from screens can impact melatonin production, a hormone essential for a good night’s sleep. Switching off screens at least one hour before bedtime could make a huge difference.  

Another way to help could be by reducing their overall schedule load. If they’re enrolled in various extracurricular activities and have a calendar full to the brim for the next few weeks, adjusting their schedule to give them more downtime could help alleviate the pressure and improve their well-being. 

Try children’s stress relief toys 

There have probably been times when you’ve felt anxious or stressed and found yourself biting your nails, shaking your leg, or picking at your skin without even realising it. These small actions are actually ways of self-regulating your nervous system, but if used frequently, they can become unhelpful or unhealthy over time.  

If you notice your young person using similar self-soothing behaviours, it may be worth introducing them to stress relief or fidget toys. This 12-sided mega fidget toy can be held in one hand to keep fingers busy, and squeezing a stress ball can help relieve tension.  

Another great option is fidget rings. They’re stylish, discreet, and always within reach, allowing teenagers to self-regulate without worrying about what their peers may think.  

Exercise the stress away 

Stress can trigger our fight-or-flight response, a survival mechanism that prepares our bodies to either confront or escape an imminent threat.  As a result, our bodies release cortisol and adrenaline, which increase our heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension.  

However, the stresses we face on a day-to-day basis aren’t usually a real danger. This means we can end up holding the tension and energy released to face a threat inside our bodies instead. 

Exercise is a fantastic way for teenagers to release built-up tension and satisfy the need to move when stress triggers a fight-or-flight response. It reduces cortisol and adrenaline while also releasing happy hormones, endorphins and serotonin, helping young people feel calmer and more in control.  

Mindfulness activities  

Stress can make it difficult to focus on the here and now because it often completely consumes the mind. This can make it more difficult for young people to concentrate in lessons or when completing homework and other tasks.  

Mindfulness activities can be a great tool to help overwhelmed teenagers feel more present and in control. Activities can be as simple as colouring or walking in the park while concentrating on what they can hear, smell, and see.  

Yoga and meditation are other great options because they will encourage your teenager to focus on their breathing, supporting a sense of calm. As a foster parent at FCA, you also have access to The Exchange, where you can find guided meditations, stretching exercises, and advice to help you and your family care for your mental health. 

Spend quality time together  

For a child or teenager who’s feeling stressed and overwhelmed, spending quality time with loved ones can make a real difference. Sometimes the best medicine is just being with people who truly understand who you are and what you’re going through.  

 

Whether it’s cooking, watching movies, or playing board games, participating in a joint activity, while chatting and laughing together can do the world of good. It will also give them a chance to share their thoughts and feelings in a low-pressure way, which can help reduce their mental load and allow you to provide the support they need. 

Supporting foster families  

At FCA, we recognise the impact stress can have on children in care and the families who care for them.  

That’s why our support for children in foster care includes support groups where they can share their experiences with those who truly understand where they’re coming from. We also have a calendar full of activities and events where young people can let off steam, build relationships and have fun – all great stress relievers.  

We believe in therapeutic foster care, which means truly seeing things from each young person’s perspective and tailoring support to meet their individual needs. This includes having a network of support available from therapists, educational specialists, social workers, and support workers to care for their entire well-being.  

When you foster with us, you’ll also enrol on our training programme, which will equip you with the knowledge and tools to care for children living with trauma. From understanding and managing challenging behaviour in children to attachment, first aid and safeguarding, you’ll feel confident at every stage of your fostering journey.  

Join our foster family today 

Ready to take the first step towards becoming a foster parent? Enquire today! Call us on 0800 098 4148, or submit our online enquiry form and a member of our friendly team will be in touch.  

You can also find out more about what it’s really like to be a foster parent by reading our latest fostering stories or by checking out our library of blogs that cover every aspect of foster parent life.   

foster family

What does staying put mean and why does it matter?

18th birthdays are a huge milestone for any teenager, but for foster children, turning 18 often marks the end of their time in foster care. While some young people may be excited about  transitioning to independent living, others might need a little more time  with their foster families before moving on 

That’s where ‘Staying Put’ comes in. Staying Put bridges the gap between foster care and independent living. It’s a stepping stone that helps young people get used to adult life before tackling it on their own.  

Join us as we explore staying put in more detail, including what it is, how it differs from foster care, and the benefits it can have on young people. 

Staying Put in foster care

What is Staying Put in foster care? 

These days, in a typical family, it’s rare for a teenager to leave home when they turn 18. Even if they decide to continue their education at university, they can usually return to their family home when the semester ends.  

This allows young adults to explore the world and learn what it means to be independent, all while still having the safety net of their home and family to fall back on if things don’t go to plan. 

Staying Put is an arrangement that gives young people in foster care the opportunity to do the same and can alleviate anxiety about what will happen when they turn 18 and have to manage life on their own. 

Also known as ‘When I’m Ready’ in Wales and ‘Going the Extra Mile’ in Northern Ireland, staying put arrangements allow a young person to continue living with their former foster family until they’re 21 or longer, depending on their circumstances and readiness to move on.  

How do stay put arrangements differ from foster care? 

When a young person turns 18, they become an adult, which means children’s services are no longer responsible for them in the same way. If they continue to live in your home, they essentially move from being your foster child to being an adult lodger under a Staying Put Agreement.  

This gives them the chance to remain in a safe, stable, and familiar home while they gain life skills, qualifications, and work experience to help them become more equipped for independence.  

Staying Put arrangements are made between the local authority, young person, and you, rather than through FCA, and the services they require are different. They will still receive support, usually until age 21 or up to 25 if they’re in education or training. 

Another key difference between Staying Put Agreements and foster care is that if you foster another child while your former foster child lives with you, they’ll need a DBS check because they’ll be considered an adult member of the household. 

Is there a fostering staying put allowance? 

Yes – if your former foster child continues to live with you through the staying put scheme, you’ll receive an allowance from your local authority.  

How much is the staying put allowance? 

The amount you receive will differ depending on your local authority. Your young person will also be expected to cover some of their living expenses, such as rent, utilities, and food, using their income from wages, universal credit or housing benefits.  

This also helps young people learn how to budget for their expenses, ready for when they start living independently.  

Is staying put allowance taxable? 

Like fostering allowances, fostering staying put payments fall under Qualifying Care Relief, which means they are typically tax-free.  

5 benefits of staying put for foster children

    1. Stability as they transition to independent living

      If you’ve been long-term fostering a child, they have likely become part of your family and feel at home in your household. This secure base helps them heal, grow, and look forward to a future without limits.

      Now, imagine having to leave your foster home and your school or college, while at the same time running a household and cooking for yourself for the first time, and starting a new job, training, or education. Even with a pathway plan, doing everything at once would be unsettling and incredibly overwhelming. You might feel like you’ve been set up to fail, with no one to turn to when things don’t go as planned.

      By offering your foster child a home beyond 18, you’ll be helping them navigate each step towards independence gradually, making the transition far more manageable. And because Staying Put Agreements are made in advance of a young person’s 18th birthday, you’ll also ease anxiety about what will happen when they age out of foster care, as they’ll know they’re still welcome in your home.

    2. Prevent care leaver homelessness

      Young people who’ve been in care are at higher risk of becoming homeless, sofa surfing, or living in unsafe accommodation. In 2024, Become, a charity that supports young care leavers, shared shocking figures from Government data about the number of care leavers who are homeless.

      It reported that between 2023 and 2024, 4,300 care leavers aged 18-20 were homeless – a 54% increase over the past five years.

      Life on the streets is no place for anyone, let alone a young person who has already lost so much and is living with the trauma of their past experiences. Homelessness puts them at even greater risk of alcohol and drug misuse, poor mental health, and even death.

      When you continue to provide a safe home for your former foster child, you protect them from becoming homeless when they age out of care. You also give them the chance to build a foundation that can safeguard them from homelessness in the future.

    3. The gift of a continued sense of belonging

      Trauma can make it difficult for young people to feel like they belong, something we all need to reach our full potential. It may have taken years for your foster child to feel like they belong with you, your family and in your community. They may also have built local friendships and lean on support from community groups.

      If your young person has to leave when they turn 18, there is no guarantee that they’ll be able to stay in the same area. This means it could feel like going back to square one to find out where they belong, which can be even more challenging if they’ve experienced multiple moves during their time in foster care.

      If you agree for your young person to stay in your home, you give them the gift of a continued sense of belonging, which is vital for their confidence, self-esteem and personal growth. It also sends a powerful message – they are truly part of the family, and you value them so much that you want them to stick around.

    4. Your guidance and support for longer

      Let’s face it, although 18-year-olds are considered adults in the eyes of the law, they are still teenagers who need guidance and support to navigate the world.

      If you foster a teenager and they continue to live with you after 18, you have more time to teach them crucial life skills, such as cooking, budgeting and managing stress – everything that comes with running a home and being independent.

      You may have already introduced your foster child to some of these skills, but when they start their first job, claim benefits, or attend university, they’ll have the chance to put them into practice, knowing you are there to help them if they need a little advice. And when the time comes for them to move on from the family home, you’ll know you’ve done everything in your power to prepare them for a successful independent life.

    5. Improved long-term outcomes

      Staying Put agreements were first introduced in 2014, after trials through pilots between 2008 and 2011. According to an Action for Children report, during these pilots, it was found that “Young people who stayed in their foster home when they turned 18 were more than twice as likely to be in full-time education at 19 than those who did not”.

      When young people leave care, if they’re faced with homelessness, a lack of stability, a lost sense of belonging, and limited support, it becomes far more difficult for them to continue education or training. After all, how can a young person focus on their studies when they’re worried about where they’ll sleep tonight, how they’ll pay their bills, or who they can rely on?

      Staying Put Agreements help young people continue education and training, which can protect them from poverty, improve their outcomes, and give them the chance to have a successful and fulfilling life.

FCA support for foster children reaching adulthood 

At FCA, we understand the impact trauma can have on a child’s present and future. That’s why we apply a therapeutic approach to their care through our Team Parenting model. This supports their entire well-being and includes input from therapists, education leads, social workers and support workers.  

When you foster with us, you’ll also enrol in our training programme, where you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to help children heal, grow, and prepare for life after care. Our support for children in foster care includes support groups, our young people’s forum, fun activities, and events, which are all designed to help children feel valued, heard, and part of a community. 

We also run an AQA Awards scheme and employability workshops alongside offering opportunities for care leavers to become consultants. These experiences boost employability, build confidence, and improve prospects.  

On top of this, every foster child has access to our Being in Care Hub, where they can find resources, guidance, and advice on education, well-being, and independence. 

Want to learn more? 

If you’re thinking about fostering and want to learn more about staying put and FCA’s support for young people ageing out of foster care, please get in touch! Call us on 0800 098 4148 or submit an online enquiry form and we’ll be in touch. 

Staying Put in fostering

Supporting Your Foster Teen During Transitions at School and Beyond

As we move into September, many children across the UK will be starting back at school. We’re sharing advice on how to help your foster child to navigate their teenage years while at secondary school, as well as how you can support your foster child once they turn 18.

The challenges of teenage life  

We all remember what it was like to be a teenager— a changing body, changing friendships, the pressure of achieving at school. Many teens feel a deep desire to be accepted by others, trying to figure out their place in the world all while experiencing massive hormonal, physical and brain-based changes. It’s no wonder why most people find their teenage years challenging!  

When you add the difficulties of being care-experienced into the mix, things become even more complex for teenagers in care. When you choose to foster a teenager, it’s your responsibility to help your young person to navigate their ever-changing world. Here are 5 tips to help you to support a teenager through their exams and beyond.  

5 ways to help your foster child at secondary school

  1. Make your home a haven.

    Secondary school can be stressful in so many ways, from exams to navigating the complexities of school social dynamics. It’s imperative that your young person has somewhere safe and calm to unwind. Ensuring that your foster child’s room is a the right environment for them to be able to relax, get some alone time and do their schoolwork and exam preparation is essential.

    Don’t take it personally if your young person prefers to spend a lot of time in their room after school—  a long day of learning surrounded by other kids and so much pressure can be overstimulating, and taking the time to decompress with a gaming session or by chatting over Facetime with friends might be just what they need after a long, tiring day. Respect their boundaries and make your home a place of calm, comfort and open communication.

  2. Support their independence.

    A key part of attending high school as a teen is what it teaches children about being responsible and independent, whether that’s hitting deadlines, getting themselves to and from school or starting to make their own big decisions, like choosing their GCSE or A-Level subjects. You can support them from behind the scenes by developing close relationships with teachers and any support staff involved in your foster child’s success, such as SENCO leads and education specialists.

    Remember not to solely rely on school to teach them all of the skills they’ll need to flourish as an adult; while they may receive a PSHE lesson and a cooking class or two on huge life skills like budgeting, household management and keeping themselves fed and healthy, they’ll learn far more at home if you take the time to offer your experience and some hands-on learning.

  3. Celebrate their wins— both big and small.

    Nothing feels quite as good as knowing that the people who you care about are fighting in your corner. Whether it’s getting their homework in on time after a difficult week or smashing their exams, show your foster child just how proud you are of the effort they put in to get through each school day.

    A simple ‘well done’ or a hand-written card can really help your foster child to feel proud of their achievements at school. While there’s no need to spend big, having something exciting to work towards— such as a pair of new trainers or a family meal out to celebrate them finishing their exams— can be hugely motivating to help your foster child achieve.

  4. Teach them about navigating relationships and staying safe.

    School isn’t just about teaching kids Maths and English. It’s about learning how to be a member of society, and how to navigate relationships with others— both people we get along with and those we don’t. You can play a key role in helping your foster child to develop their social skills by helping them to gain a healthy understanding of relationships, whether that’s their relationships with school friends, teachers, or people they become interested in romantically. Check out our guidance on understanding healthy relationships to help spark a conversation.

    There can also be a lot of pressure to fit in school social circles, and another element which you’ll likely see play out in your foster teenager’s social life is risk-taking. It’s a normal part of teenage development, and teenagers gain a heightened sense of reward from talking risks due to heightened sensitivity in their developing brain. Your role as a foster parent is to help them balance those risks. Don’t rely on school alone to teach them about potentially challenging topics such as sexual health and making safe choices around substance use— our training for foster parents on these subjects and more will help you to approach these topics with confidence and openness.

  5. Help prepare them for the future.

    Leaving school and approaching the time where they’ll soon be leaving care can be a scary and exciting time for any looked after child. Foster children who are approaching 18 have many options available to them, including pursuing further education in the form of BTEC qualifications, A-Levels and T-Levels, as well as apprenticeships in all kinds of fields, from carpentry and joinery to catering and beauty-related courses. Using the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship service can really help to kickstart your young person’s career search.

    Post-18, your young person’s next step options include finding their first job and pursuing a career, taking on further education at university or even a Degree Apprenticeship, an option which allows young people to get a degree while earning a wage, without going into debt for their trouble. Don’t forget to take advantage of the resources available for care leavers pursing higher education.  

Looking for resources for your foster teenager? Our advice hub for young people contains tons of tips and articles on navigating the ups and downs of teenage life, such as skills for independent living and how to find your first job.  

How can I support my foster child when they leave school? 

Worried about how the young person in your care might navigate the transition to independent living as they approach 18? Perhaps it’s time to consider a ‘Staying Put’ arrangement with your foster child.  

‘Staying Put’ in foster care means that your young person can live with you past the age of 18, for as long as the two of you agree to it. Learn more about what it means to Stay Put as a care leaver, or speak with your supervising social worker to find out more.  

Could you foster a teen? 

Across the UK, there are many older children and teenagers who are waiting for homes. Perhaps you’d love to foster a teenager, but worry that you’ll struggle to navigate the complex issues which can prop up in a teen’s life as they approach adulthood. Don’t worry— you’ll have all the support and training you need at FCA, and we’re only ever at the other end of the phone when you need us.  

Fostering teenagers really is uniquely rewarding. You’ll have the chance to build a lifelong bond, share your skills and help shape a young person’s future as they step into their independence. If you believe you could support a teenager through fostering, contact our team today to learn more, or learn more about the unique benefits of choosing to foster a teenager.  

How you could make a Difference by Fostering Teenagers

Myths around fostering teenagers

Some people may at first feel intimidated by the thought of fostering teenagers. This is no surprise when our mainstream media often depicts teens as anti-social. Whether it’s the ASBO stereotype of the 1990’s to early 2010’s or the current narrative that teens are obsessed with their phones an unwilling to socialise, teenagers often get unfair treatment in our society.  

This is especially true for teenagers who have experience of being in the foster care system. Prejudice against care-experienced people has been widely documented, with several recent campaigns calling for care experience to be made a protected characteristic under UK law.  

The truth is, fostering teens can be an incredibly rewarding, fun and life-changing experience. Currently, we have a UK-wide shortage of foster parents who are ready to open up their homes to teens. Because of this need, we’re always eager to encourage our foster parents to consider fostering a teenager, and we love to welcome more foster parents who are passionate about giving teenagers the chance to become part of a loving and accepting family. 

foster a teenager

Teenage brain development and trauma

If you’ve ever looked at a teen and thought, “what is going on in their head—?” The answer is an awful lot! Throughout puberty our brains undergo enormous changes. These changes explain many of the behaviours which we associate with teens, including poor impulse control, self-consciousness and risk-taking. The brain also undergoes synaptic pruning, where old synaptic connections are recycled to make room for new ones; this largely happens when a teenager is asleep, and along with hormonal changes may explain their reluctance to get out of bed at this age.  

For teenagers in care, the brain-based effects of approaching young adulthood can be made more complicated by the effects of living with trauma as a result of their early childhood experiences. Trauma can have a negative impact on a child’s development, influencing areas including their brain’s threat, reward and memory systems. Here at FCA we aim to provide therapeutic foster care which is tailored to each child’s needs, recognising how trauma may have an impact on their development.  

Download our free guide to understanding trauma in children

Unique challenges for teens in care 

  • Finding a home. Older children are sadly less likely to be fostered. Because of a shortage of foster parents who are able to welcome teenagers, many older children live in supported accommodation or shared homes. While these forms of accommodation provide children with a safe place to stay and guidance from staff, they don’t provide the same benefits which can be found in a loving family home environment, and the sense of belonging which comes with being part of a family unit.  
  •  Sibling separation. When a group of siblings are removed from their family home, an effort will be made to keep the children together. However, as there are few foster parents who can welcome sibling groups, older children are often separated from their younger siblings. This may do long-term damage to their relationship and sense of self and can be especially challenging for children who have experienced parentification (where they may have had to take on the role of being a caregiver to their younger siblings). 
  • Adultification. It is often easy to forget that teenagers are still children, and to treat them as though they were adults. Because teens are seen as having more autonomy than younger children, they can be unfairly labelled as ‘imperfect victims’ who need to be reformed rather than cared for. Some may even fall prey to victim-blaming because of an assumption that teenagers are taken into care because of bad behaviour— this is a false stereotype. Instead, children enter the care system because of a range of traumatic home experiences which are never their fault. These can include losing family members, facing neglect or being a victim of abuse. 
  • Vulnerability to exploitation. Children in care are especially vulnerable to predatory behaviour from adults, including sexual exploitation and county lines recruitment by gangs. Teens are much more likely to be victimized by someone outside of the home than a younger child would be due to their independence from their caregivers. By becoming a foster parent to a teenager, you’ll be providing them with a caring and protective family environment which can help to shield them from exploitation.    

5 benefits of fostering teenagers

There are so many reasons to foster a teenager, and by doing so you’ll be making a huge difference. Here are just a few fantastic reasons why you should consider fostering a teen: 

 

Help the children most in need of somewhere safe to stay. Many teenagers will have gone through a variety of moves while in care, leaving them with a lack of stability. By opening up your home to teenagers you’ll be giving teens a safe family environment to grow and thrive in, giving them stability and support during a crucial time in their development.   

 Help prepare them for adulthood. Preparing to enter the adult world can be a scary time, especially for children who have grown up without a safe and secure home life. By welcoming a teenager into your family, you’ll have the opportunity to teach them important life skills, prepare them for the world of work and shape their future for the better. As well as teaching them practical skills, you will also help them to develop essential social and emotional skills, including modelling healthy relationships and helping them to learn to trust others.  

Build a lifelong bond. Many foster parents find that looking after teens is the right fostering path for them for a variety of reasons. These include the fact that caring for teens involves less running around than with little children, and that teens are often more independent, giving you more flexibility. Fostering teenagers also allows you to connect on a more mature level and develop deep bonds based on mutual interests. Your special connection doesn’t have to end once they turn eighteen, either; many young adults who have lived in long-term fostering stay with their family until they are ready to leave home, under an arrangement known as ‘Staying Put.’   

Change the life of a sanctuary-seeking child. Most unaccompanied children who come to the UK seeing asylum are teenage boys. These children often come from economically deprived and war-torn countries and arrive seeking safety and a better life. They may arrive afraid and exhausted, speaking little or no English and having no support system around them. By becoming a foster parent to a sanctuary-seeking child, you can provide these vulnerable children with care, protection and the promise of a brighter future.   

Benefit from support from FCA. Here at FCA we’ll support you on your journey to fostering a teenager, with a range of specialised training and a higher rate of fostering allowance for those who choose to take care of older children. We also run events appropriate for teens where they can make new friends who share their experiences, as well as support groups and coffee mornings for out foster parents. Learn more about how our wide range of support can help your family.  

 

Can you foster a teenager? 

If you’re considering fostering a teenager, be assured that you could make the world of difference to not only a child’s life now, but to their future. Why not check out our page to learn more about fostering teens, or enquire with us today to speak directly with one of our friendly fostering advisors.  

 

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