Starting Your Journey as a Foster Carer: What to Expect After Approval

One of the biggest worries people have when they think about fostering is a simple one: “Once a child arrives, will I know what I’m doing — and will I be on my own?” It’s a completely natural thing to wonder, and the honest answer is reassuring. From the moment you’re approved, you become part of a whole team of people whose job is to support both the child and you. This guide walks you through what those early days and weeks actually look like, so the path ahead feels a little clearer.

Greater London Fostering is rated Outstanding by Ofsted in all three judgements, most recently at our inspection published in September 2025. Read the full Ofsted report.

It matters, too, because the need is real. The Fostering Network estimates that around 5,000 more fostering families are needed across England in the next year alone, with the number of approved foster carers having fallen for several years running. Every person who steps forward to foster genuinely makes a difference to a child waiting for a safe and stable home — and you won’t be doing it alone.

The team around you

Fostering is often described as a solo role, but in reality you’re one part of a close network of professionals who all share the goal of helping your foster child thrive. In those first weeks you’ll get to know several key people, each with a clear part to play:

• Your supervising social worker (SSW) — your main point of support, who works closely with you throughout your fostering journey and gets to know your whole household.
• The placement officer — the person at the agency who matches you with children whose needs suit your home and family.
• The child’s social worker — who holds overall responsibility for the child’s care for as long as they are looked after.

Between them, these are the people you can turn to with anything from a big safeguarding concern to a small day-to-day question. In the early days especially, checking in about ordinary decisions is completely normal and expected — it’s a sign you’re doing the role thoughtfully, not a sign you’re struggling.

Your supervising social worker: your go-to person

If there’s one relationship that shapes your experience as a new foster carer, it’s the one with your supervising social worker. Their knowledge and steady support are especially important in your first few months, when everything is new. They’ll take time to get to know the members of your household and your wider support network, and they’ll be there for the practical questions and the wobbly moments alike. The single best piece of advice new carers are given is this: contact your SSW whenever you’re unsure — you really can’t get in touch too often, and being open and truthful with them is what makes the relationship work.

The first few days: induction and planning

Once you’re approved, your fostering agency will run an induction with you — usually one or a series of home visits that walk you through the agency’s policies and procedures, so you know how things work and who to call. Then, when a child comes to stay, a placement planning meeting takes place within the first few days of their arrival. This is a genuinely useful moment for you: it’s your chance to clarify the practical things, such as which everyday decisions are yours to make and which need permission first. Going in with a written list of questions is a great habit to build early.

The meetings that keep a child on track

A few regular meetings form the rhythm of fostering. They can sound formal written down, but each exists simply to make sure the child is doing well and that you have what you need. You play an active, valued part in all of them:

• Supervision meetings with your SSW, to talk through how the placement is going, what’s working, anything you’re finding hard, and how you’re feeling.
• Home visits from your SSW, including at least one unannounced visit a year, to get a natural sense of how your household works.
• Child (LAC) reviews, which look at the child’s progress and plan what will help them thrive — usually at the start of a placement, again after three months, and then every six months.
• PEP meetings (Personal Education Plan), held each school term with school staff, the Virtual School and social workers, to support the child at school.

Preparing a little in advance — jotting down questions beforehand and taking notes on the day — helps you get the most from each one and makes sure your voice is heard.

Growing in the role

Fostering is a role you keep developing in, and you’ll be supported to do exactly that. Every year your agency reviews your approval with you, led by your SSW, and you’ll have a personal development plan that sets out the training suited to your experience and interests. Good agencies invest in this because confident, well-supported carers are better able to help children — and because the role, rewarding as it is, asks a great deal of you physically and emotionally. If you ever feel the weight of it, or notice signs of compassion fatigue, your team is there to support you as well as the child.

Looking after your own family too

If you have children of your own, they’re an important part of the fostering household, and their experience matters. It helps to recognise the contribution your birth children make in welcoming a foster child, to keep making dedicated time for them even when things are busy, and to talk openly about any differences they notice in how children are treated. Your supervising social worker can help with these conversations, and keeping your own family’s wellbeing in view is very much part of fostering well — not a distraction from it.

You won’t have to do this alone

At Greater London Fostering, this network of support isn’t an afterthought — it’s the heart of how we work. We’re a small, personal agency, so we know our carers and their households, and we take pride in making sure no one ever feels left to manage on their own. Many of our carers describe us as feeling like an extended family, and while fostering is never without its challenges, having the right people around you is what makes it possible — and deeply rewarding.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be on my own once a child is placed with me?

No. From approval onwards you’re part of a team — your supervising social worker, the placement officer and the child’s social worker — and you can contact them whenever you need support. New carers are actively encouraged to ask questions, big or small.

What does a supervising social worker do?

Your supervising social worker is your main source of support as a foster carer. They get to know your household, meet with you regularly, visit your home, and are there for both practical questions and the harder moments throughout your fostering journey.

What meetings will I need to attend as a foster carer?

The main ones are supervision meetings with your SSW, home visits, child (LAC) reviews looking at the child’s progress, and termly PEP meetings about their education. You also have an annual review of your approval. You play an active part in all of them.

Is there support for my own family?

Yes. Fostering affects the whole household, and your agency supports your birth children too. Your supervising social worker can help with conversations at home and make sure your family’s wellbeing is looked after alongside the foster child’s.