Foster carer support - Print version

Foster carers are a crucial part of the team working together with us to keep Coventry’s children safe.  Fostering with Coventry City Council means that you will get to know the different members of the team working alongside you.  The Fostering Service is co-located with the Looked After and Permanency and ThroughCare Teams to promote closer working relations and work together efficiently in the best interest of the child.  The Council’s Corporate Parenting Board is very supportive of the Fostering Service and good links are constantly made with colleagues across other Services in the Council extend our support to not only foster carers, but the children they care for.  One Coventry is a way of working that helps us to make the biggest possible impact on the lives of local people.

What support looks like

• Each foster family will be allocated a supervising social worker who will offer support, advice and guidance to you (foster carers), your children and the children you look after.
• There will be regular visits, more frequently during induction, to ensure that you feel supported and lots of opportunities for professional development, so you are well equipped to care for children.
• Newly approved foster carers are offered additional support through a mentoring arrangement with an experienced foster carer.
• Support does not only come from your supervising social worker, we also have a team of dedicated children and family workers who can offer intensive focused interventions to you and your family.
• A 24/7 telephone line, staffed by a fostering worker, to help with any emergency issues should they arise.

Coventry City Council foster carers frequently tell us that they feel a real part of a Coventry fostering community and whether living in Coventry or surrounding areas, enjoy the regular meet-ups with other foster carers, coffee mornings and social events. They are there for you to talk over anything that is worrying you and to celebrate the rewards and successes of your fostering experience! 

Other support services

• Virtual School [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/virtual-school] promote and co-ordinate educational support.
• Edge of Care is a service that provides intensive therapeutic to children and carers.  The work builds on a family’s strengths and introduces coping strategies.
• Dedicated Foster Carer drop-in sessions with RISE (Support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing) https://cwrise.com/lac/ [https://cwrise.com/lac/] 
• Compass [https://www.compass-uk.org/services/compass-coventry-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-service/] is an early intervention and prevention service who support children and young people from 5 – 18 years, and up to 25, if they have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or are a care leaver. They also support carers who are worried about a child or young person’s mental wellbeing.   

Independent support and advice

• We understand that at times you may want to speak to someone who can provide you with independent support on any issues you may experience with fostering. 
• Our foster carers are also automatically members of The Fostering Network [https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/] and New Family Social [https://newfamilysocial.org.uk/] (a charity for LGBTQ+), and can access their helplines, events, and other activities.  The Fostering Network also offers a mediation service which provides independent support to foster carers.

Available support

Fostering is a vital and rewarding role, and we are committed to ensuring that our foster carers receive the support they need to provide the highest standard of care for the children and young people they look after. Below is an overview of the support available to all our foster carers.

Monthly Training, Support and Development (TSD) standards virtual workshops being offered

As a newly approved foster carer, it is a requirement that your TSD folder is completed within the first year of fostering.  Our Children and Family workers are now offering monthly virtual sessions which you can attend from the comfort of your own home via Microsoft Teams video call.  Please contact Ina or Chantelle by email  - ina.daugirdaite@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:ina.daugirdaite@coventry.gov.uk] or chantelle.allen@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:chantelle.allen@coventry.gov.uk] or speak to your supervising social worker who will book your place on the workshop.  You will then receive a Teams meeting links via email prior to the session. These sessions will provide some additional support in completing your TSD folder.

The Peer Mentoring scheme

Peer mentoring is a scheme which aims to match potential foster carer applicants with a mentor before they attend Fostering Panel for approval. Mentors can offer moral support to new carers as they have first-hand experience of the joys and challenges being a foster carer can bring. Mentors can offer reassurance, support and guidance when attending panel for the first time and during the first six months when their fostering career begins. We also offer mentors to support any foster carers who might be experiencing a particular difficulty for the first time and may benefit from support by a more experienced foster carer (the mentor). At Coventry City Council, we recognise that the role of a foster carer is both complex and demanding.

This group takes place on the second Friday of each month from 10am - 11:30am. Come along for a chat, to build relationships and network with other carers to support you on your fostering journey. There’s plenty of space for children and babies, with toys and a dedicated sensory room to keep them engaged and happy during the session.

This session is also regularly joined by professionals and organisations offering services and information that may be of interest to foster carers - including representatives from The Fostering Network and Coventry Virtual School.

Coffee Morning: drop-in session at St Michael’s Children’s Centre, Hazel Grove, Bedworth, CV12 9DA

This relaxed and welcoming session with fellow foster carers runs every other Monday (term time only) from 9:30am to 11:00am.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, while you chat, share experiences, and build connections in a supportive environment.
There’s a play area for children, with plenty of space and toys to keep the little ones entertained.

Single foster carers' support group at Moat Family Hub, Moat House Primary School, Deedmore Road, Coventry, CV2 1EQ

This group meets on the last Wednesday of every month, from 9:30am to 11:30am, and is dedicated specifically to single foster carers.
It offers a safe, welcoming, and understanding space to share experiences, build friendships, and support one another on the unique journey of fostering solo.
Whether you're new to fostering or have been doing it for years, you’re warmly invited to come along for a hot drink, a biscuit, and a friendly chat. It’s a chance to connect with others who truly understand what it means to foster on your own - from juggling appointments and managing routines to navigating school meetings and making time for yourself.

Fostering Out-of-Hours Support

We understand that fostering doesn’t stop at the end of the working day. That’s why a member of our support team is always available via our 24/7 out-of-hours helpline. If an urgent situation arises outside of normal office hours, you can contact the helpline for immediate advice and guidance.