Community Foster Care

28/08/2026

Today is Makaton Awareness day, and our Social Worker Julia is sharing a few Makaton signs around the theme of home and family.

Makaton is one way we can adapt communication to meet the individual needs of children and young people. This is an important part of our therapeutic approach, helping young people feel understood, build trust and strengthen relationships.

Watch the video and have a go, and click below to read our blog post on Makaton and the importance of communication:

https://www.communityfostercare.co.uk/blog/makaton-awareness-day

25/08/2026

This is a heartbreaking read.

A review of the deaths of 112 care-experienced young adults found that isolation, loneliness and a sudden drop in support were common themes in the lives of many young people who died after leaving care. The review describes an "immense drop-off" in support when young people reach adulthood.

As a society, we should find this deeply upsetting.

At Community Foster Care, we believe fostering differently means being prepared to challenge systems that accept cliff edges of support as normal. We need to stop asking whether young people are old enough to cope alone and start asking whether they have the relationships, connection and community around them to thrive.

Read the full story here:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/25/he-was-left-on-his-own-the-care-leaver-lives-lost-to-a-system-that-abandons-them-at-18?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6l8dwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6Q3i04gE61ubVqfo5OYVAEymHo7W3ihV5fQb2V_k7i0v3gpBe9ADq0Ju5PKQ_aem_Rj9GpWR-edNn5Wo_7Zyb2g

Read our full blog post here:
https://www.communityfostercare.co.uk/blog/when-care-doesnt-end-at-18

One-fifth of deaths of those in care occur at 18, in what experts call a ‘care cliff’, as vital support is lost

20/08/2026

🚨ANOTHER NEW STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT!🚨

We're very pleased to introduce you all to Kate, who has come aboard the CFC team as our new Business Support Officer in the Gloucester Office. She brings with her a wealth of experience in offering administrative and organisational support in both the care and charity sectors, so we have no doubt that she'll fit in splendidly here.

Welcome to Community Foster Care, Kate! 😁

20/08/2026

Good luck to all the young people out there that will be finding out the results of their GCSE results today! Celebrate the successes of all your hard work. And remember, if you're feeling disappointed - results in of themselves do not define you and your potential. 🤞🏼

19/08/2026

Some more fun being had and memories being made at our yearly residential trip! Our young people have been getting stuck in and making a splash with some kayaking! Well done to all those that might not be the most naturally confident out on the water and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone! 🛶🌊

18/08/2026

We often talk about our pirate philosophy and how to be more Pirate in our approach to fostering. Based on how some of our young people have taken to axe throwing at our yearly residential trip, we might have to start thinking about what VIKING FOSTERING might look like 😂

17/08/2026

Today, our social worker Janet is heading to ChessFest Lancaster to support one of the young people she works with, who’ll be getting involved in the chess activities! The young person is a keen chess player, regularly playing at school, and even enjoying a game with Janet during her visits! ♟️

It’s a lovely reminder of how important it is to encourage young people to explore what they love, build confidence and feel supported to follow their interests.

Sometimes, it’s simply about taking an interest, showing up and cheering them on.

While she’s there, Janet will also be chatting to people about fostering and sharing a little more about what it means to support children and young people through fostering. If you happen to be passing by ChessFest in Lancaster today, come and say hello!

17/08/2026

We found an impactful read that we thought would be worth while for you all! In Steven Russell’s blog, Never Forever, reflects on growing up in care and the impact of being promised a “forever family” when, in reality, homes can change and relationships can end.

His reflections on the word “forever” really resonated with us. It speaks to our value of tenacity: sticking by children and young people. We can’t always know what the future will hold. But we can keep showing up, listening, believing and being there.

It's a really powerful read and we recommend giving it a look!

By Steven Russell

10/08/2026

🚨NEW TEAM MEMBER ALERT🚨

We're absolutely thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of the CFC team in the North. Say hello to Jen, who's joining Community Foster Care as our Family Support Worker up in Lancashire. She's got a wealth of experience in providing support for young people and families, and we can't wait for her to get properly stuck in!

Please join us in wishing her a great warm CFC welcome! 😁

07/08/2026

A huge well done to one of our amazing young people, who recently took on the challenge of learning to sew! We're so proud of their creativity and willingness to try something new.

Using a sewing machine for the very first time, they created this adorable seahorse rattle as a special gift for a baby in their family. They even chose the fabric and seahorse design themselves, making it a truly personal and thoughtful keepsake! 🩷🪸