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Different ways to foster

What is fostering? 

Foster carers offer a safe, supportive and caring home to children and young people who are unable to live with their birth parents.  

Young refugees often arrive in the UK unaccompanied by their parents or family. So they will live with foster carers who welcome them into their homes, providing a nurturing family environment. This helps young refugees to feel supported, gain confidence and adjust to life in a new country, during what is otherwise a challenging time in their young lives.  

Foster carers will support with day-to-day needs as well as education and health, including mental health. They also attend meetings with social workers and the wider team of professionals around the young person. 

Training and support is provided, to give foster carers the skills and knowledge to help them meet the needs of the young person in their care. They receive an allowance and often a fee to recognise their skills. Generally, foster carers are not in any other employment. 

Find out more about who can foster young refugees. 

What is supported lodgings? 

Most young people aged 16+ are not ready to go out into the world alone without any support, especially in a new environment. 

Supported Lodgings Providers offer a room in their home to a young refugee. They also use their life skills and experience to support them with tasks such as cooking a meal, managing their finances, using public transport and planning for the future. 

While Supported Lodgings Providers will need to be generally available for the young refugee they are supporting, they can remain in employment. 

You will need: 

• A spare bedroom in your home 
• A general understanding of some of the issues faced by young refugees (training provided) 
• Patience and commitment to provide a supportive and safe environment for the young person 

You will receive: 

• A weekly allowance, per young person, whilst they stay with you 
• Access to training 
• Ongoing support from your local authority 

If you think you could welcome a young refugee into your home and guide them on their journey into independence, then please contact us.