Video for foster carers

This animation is the first in a series of resources designed to meet the needs of those working with and caring for separated children. This video was developed primarily to benefit foster carers (or those considering fostering), but social workers and other professionals who are part of the wider team supporting separated children will also find the contents insightful in their work.

The video provides an insight into the unique and complex behaviours with which separated children may present and proposes specific preparation which a foster carer can undertake ahead of a separated child arriving.  By taking the simple steps outlined in the video, foster carers will feel more confident and capable in their care giving and the pivotal role they will play in the child or young person’s journey from surviving to thriving.

Thank you for taking the time to watch this video. We hope you found it helpful in your preparation for fostering a separated child.

This video is one in a series of resources being developed by The Separated Child Foundation to support foster carers and other professionals working with separated children. If you would like to be notified of future videos and training resources please enter your details below.  We’d also appreciate you rating the video below (out of 1-5). Thank you.

Resources / links

Please find below a list of additional resources from other organisations and professionals to further support you in your preparation.

Bob and Diana’s Foster Carer Insight: A 13-minute video of the incredibly moving story of how two foster carers rose to the cultural challenges of fostering teenage boys from Afghanistan.

In the words of 3 refugee young people: The experiences of three cousins, not yet teenagers when they arrived in 2010, explaining how fostering helped change their lives. 

Who is Who – Migrant & Refugee Childrens Legal Unit: This booklet is available in 14 languages, for separated children and the adults supporting them. It explains the roles of the different professionals who will come into a young person’s life, and how they can help.

Right to Remain Toolkit – Right to Remain: A step-by-step guide to the UK asylum and immigration system.

Refugee & Asylum Seeker myths busters – The Children’s Society: Looking beyond the refugee statistics and headlines, common misconceptions and myths about young refugees and asylum seekers. 

Ramadan and Eid Guide for Carers – My Foster Family: Brief guide to help social workers and foster carers in making Ramadan and Eid a memorable and positive experience for Muslim children and young people in care.  

‘Welcome to School’ resource – Phoenix Education: A booklet to help young people think through some of the things they might need to know about getting to school, what they will learn, and what they should wear. Also applicable for college children.

Age Assessment information – GMIAU: A guide written by young people with lived experience of age assessments to support others going through the process and to help social workers navigate it too. Available in nine languages.

Talking to Children about war & conflict – Beacon House: Developed as a trauma-informed resource for adults supporting a child or teenager to digest the impact of war and conflict on them as individuals, on communities and on the world.

Voices of Fostering interview with Ruth: A 17-minute video interviewing at length a foster carer for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, her passion for her role and how much she has got from the experience.

Wiltshire Council interview with Spencer: A short video of a foster carer talking about how much his family have been impacted by fostering an Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child.

Waltham Forest Council case studies: A 12-minute video meeting young people, alongside their foster carers, to talk about their experiences.

The importance of good sleep – UASC Health: A 6-minute video of Unaccompanied asylum seeking children’s stories about sleep and the things that make a difference.

Sleep toolkit for Young People – The Children’s Society: A downloadable resource written by young refugees and asylum seekers to help young people having problems with sleep. It contains useful activities, advice, inspiring quotes and drawings.

The Sleep Charity: Advice for supporting children and teenagers with sleep.

The Separated Child Foundation creates specially designed packs which can be given to separated children dealing with sleep issues. To find out more about the packs please see here.

Useful phone numbers

Kidscape: Bullying advice line for parents and carers – 07496 682785

Refugee Council: Freephone service providing advice and guidance for unaccompanied children seeking asylum in England – 0808 1753499 or WhatsApp 07888 866615 (messages can be sent and replied to in most languages). Opening hours: Monday – Friday (8.30am until 5.30pm). Professional advice line for social workers and carers – 0207 3461134

Suggestions welcome

We are continuously working to enhance the resources we offer to those supporting separated children. If you have a specific training need, please send your recommendation to our Programme Manager, helen.tirebuck@separatedchild.org

To read more about The Separated Child Foundation and what we do, please click here