Diverse Fostering

19/03/2026

This Saturday (March 21st) there is an opportunity for a photo of as many people as possible at LongtonExchange shopping centre to support the Longton bid for Town of Culture.

Many businesses have had photos taken showing their support...keep an eye out for ours.

18/03/2026

During every school holiday Diverse Fostering organise activities for our fostering families and the children within their care. This is a great way for families to get to know each other and can be a great support to each other. Staff are always present at the activities and have as much fun as the children and foster carers, but are also there for informal catch ups with the families.

Contact us if you want to learn more about becoming a foster carer with Diverse Fostering. Check out our website www.diversefostering.co.uk

If you are already a foster carer with Diverse Fostering - don't forget to sign up for the activities by the usual route.

16/03/2026

This is the link to the Mothering Sunday episode of Songs of Praise where we learn how one foster carer started her fostering journey after having her 2nd birth child and how her faith impacted on that decision and also hear from the carer and one of their grown up foster children about their special relationship and how that has grown over the years.
.."Everyone needs a Sian"
"Everyone needs a Jake"...

Listen here, starts at 21:51 to 27:02.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002sv8k/songs-of-praise-mothering-sunday

Get in touch if you want to learn more about becoming a foster carer with a small independent agency who care about their foster carers and deliver high quality training.

To mark Mothering Sunday, Claire McCollum is in Liverpool celebrating 150 years of the Mothers' Union and meeting mums inspired by faith to show God’s love and care to those in need.

15/03/2026

Celebrating all the women in our lives on Mother's Day. Thank you for all that you do for others. Thinking especially of our foster carers who stand in the gap and take on the mothering role for however long is needed for those who are unable to live with their birth mother.

13/03/2026

Here at Diverse Fostering we understand the value of relationships and its impact on children's learning, development and emotional growth and its vital role in trauma recovery. We value the relationships in our staff team, with our foster carers and the children in their care. Good to see Vygotsky agrees with us! 😁

Get in touch with us to learn more about becoming a foster carer and the great support and training we offer.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dira1PMLR/

At the heart of his theory is the idea that children learn best through relationships, social interaction, and play. He introduced the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) – the space between what a child can do on their own and what they can achieve with the support of a safe, attuned adult.

In play, children naturally step into this zone.

They explore roles, express feelings, test boundaries, and make sense of their world.
For play therapists, this is where the magic happens. ✨

Through a trusting therapeutic relationship, we offer scaffolding; gently supporting the child’s emotional and developmental growth at their own pace.

Within the safety of the playroom, children are not just “playing”…

They are:
• Processing experiences
• Developing regulation
• Building confidence
• Strengthening relationships

Vygotsky reminds us that healing and growth happen in connection.

11/03/2026

This is a lovely series about a couple's journey towards adoption. It is a very real representation of the ups and downs of adoption. Part of the foster carers' role is helping the child who is temporarily in their care to transition to their forever family if they are unable to remain with their birth family. Yes it breaks the foster carers heart when the children move on, as they have become a part of their family, but it such a privilege watching a new family being formed.

All Jason and Nikki want is a baby. But before they become parents, they have to grow up. Heartwarming, chaotic comedy starring Esther Smith, Rafe Spall and a stellar cast.

09/03/2026

Have taken this from the Fostering Network Facebook group, thought it would be useful for all foster carers who are navigating their tax return or those who are considering becoming a foster carer and are trying to get their head around their finances.

Foster carers are classed as self employed but most of what they "earn" as foster carers will not be taken into account, so the majority of foster carers do not have to pay tax. This of course depends on how many children they foster and also if they have any other income.



https://www.facebook.com/thefosteringnetwork/posts/pfbid02tmUWQhcutqxBmweyrD1D7r1kcw9dKTFYNhv4AME1zyzd863oKpBMFfPT4keT9ZEil

Learn about tax and national insurance for foster carers at our webinar on Tuesday 24 March. 💻

If you are new to fostering, or are unsure how to do a tax return, this webinar is for you. Run by our membership team and fostering tax experts from our partners Xeinadin, the webinar will cover:

• An introduction to the income tax scheme for foster carers
• How to calculate your own tax threshold
• Self-assessment tax returns
• National Insurance contributions.

Xeinadin has a team of accountants with over 30 years’ experience in providing specialist accounting services to the fostering sector. They have developed a tailor-made fixed fee tax return service designed to meet the needs of foster carers and has in-depth knowledge of the unique and specialist tax and national insurance rules for foster carers. 💡

Join our tax webinars by logging in as a member and registering:

https://bit.ly/47iwHky

06/03/2026

Another post about books, this time about how reading together is a fantastic way to connect with a child and how children in care can benefit.

Watch our short film to hear from real families in contact with the social care system about how shared reading has supported them and their children. Find o...

05/03/2026

Many are marking World Book Day today by dressing up and with special activities in school.

This looks a lovely book helping children who need a safe place to live to understand what living with a foster carer is like.

Children (and adults) often find it easier to navigate their world when a character in a book is going through similar experiences.

Calvin is in foster care, and he wants to trust someone, anyone, but is afraid to open his heart. He has lived in a lot of houses, but he still hasn amp rsquo t found his home. When he moves in with Maggie, she shows him respect, offers him kindness, and makes him see things in himself that h...

03/03/2026

Have been listening to this book "Now I am known" on Audible.

Peter Mutabazi is a single foster carer and adopter who now lives in America. Fascinating and emotional listening to his experiences as a child, running away from his abusive father, living on the streets in Kampala and how someone recognised his potential and helped him to access education. His past makes him an amazing empathetic foster carer and adopter as he knows first hand what trauma can do to a child and can understand why they do what they do.

This quote (slightly paraphrased as I was driving when I heard it) from the book really resonated with me and aligns with some of our recent foster carer training about understanding brain development and traumatised children's behaviour.

"When in survival mode you say and do what you think others want you to in the hope that they will give you what you need"

https://amzn.eu/d/00tpNtGE

At age ten, Peter Mutabazi ran away from home in rural Uganda to escape his abusive father. For five years Peter survived on the streets of Kampala, a city of 1.5 million, until one man saw potential in him. This one person not only supported Peter through school but altered Peter's outlook on li...

24/02/2026

Last year Diverse Fostering had a promotional stall at the Longton Carnival / Pig Walk. It was a great day. We're planning on being there this year.

There's an opportunity for teenagers to get involved in the parade. Information below.

24/02/2026

Great training from The Prevent Guy today exploring current national and local extremist threats, how individuals can become vulnerable to radicalisation, and the warning signs to look out for.

Our foster carers and staff really enjoyed the training saying....
.."Didnt want training to end, left wanting more" .."fantastic and informative" .."great course - the passion is clear and made it interesting to listen to" .."excellent course, well presented, excellent knowledge"

https://www.thepreventguy.co.uk/

Here at the prevent guy we have many years experience providing support to the Education sector, Children and Adults Social Care, NSPCC staff, and Charities. We are prevent specialists and complete staff training, in depth safeguarding/SPOC training and workshops for young people.