Talk to a Foster Care Adviser: 01908 587666

Call: 01622 760 600

Call: 01908 587666

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Speak to a foster care adviser now.

Call: 01908 587666

Our Story

A Fostering Company Built By Foster Carers

Fostering Options is part of the Futures Group and was established in 1999.

Here is our story...

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to think about the possibility of becoming a foster carer. It's a big decision, and it's important to get it right.

Fostering Options was established back in 2002, the office in Milton Keynes was opened in 2003, where it remains to date. Fostering Options recognised that due to market changes it would be beneficial to be under a larger organisation and sold the company to Futures For Children in 2009.

Between other agencies becoming commodities bought and sold by overseas bankers and venture capitalists, and cash-strapped local authorities rushing to the cheapest options and slashing services, it can often feel like a race to the bottom in terms of quality and care. You only have to look to distressing stories of care services for the elderly to see the dangers of putting profit before people.

But Futures For Children refuses to become a penny-pinching service. We have never been bought or sold, and our founders remain at the heart of our organisation. Among our team, you’ll meet foster carers, social workers, and parents, with one of our directors even growing up in care. It is this rich and varied lived experience that gives us our unique understanding of foster families.

And it’s a testament to our commitment to providing excellent support to staff and foster families that owners of other agencies have not looked simply for the highest bidder but instead entrusted us to continue their brilliant work. Again and again, retiring owners have placed their companies into the hands of Futures for Children, knowing that we will look after their carers and children.

As Futures for Children grew in age, we too have grown in size. We have now welcomed Time for Children and Foster Care Solutions to join a group determined to provide the best possible service.

Maybe you’re new to fostering, or maybe you’ve experienced first-hand the takeovers and cutbacks in other agencies, but if you want to become a foster carer and to work for a company that places children and carers at the forefront of their philosophy, you can get in touch

As the original owner and founder of the company, as a parent, a foster carer and a social worker, I look forward to meeting you.

- Nick

Meet Our Team

What We Provide...

Fostering Options provides fostering placements for children and young people who will have experienced trauma in their lives, either through neglect, physical injury, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse. We acknowledge that these young people are often overwhelmed by these events and are unable to find appropriate ways of dealing with them, which will inevitably present a wide range of behaviours.

Finding Solutions...

At Fostering Options we acknowledge that, along with these more challenging behaviours, every young person will also have acquired many skills and strengths which have enabled them to survive their experiences thus far. Whilst we do not believe that it is the child’s responsibility to solve the problem, it is our aim to assist them in building on these strengths and skills to find acceptable solutions to their own particular circumstances.

Skills and Training...

If you decide to become a foster carer for us we will aim to equip you with the appropriate skills and training to work with the child in such a way that it facilitates joint growth and solutions which will eventually enable young people to return home successfully, move on to a more permanent placement, or achieve independent living; whichever is in accordance with their Care Plan.

Read Our Statement Of Purpose

Support to Foster Carers

Named Supervising Social Workers

Once approved you will receive ongoing support from a named qualified and experienced Social Worker.

Named Supervising Social Workers
Induction Training Programme
TSD Standards
Supervision Meetings
Support Groups
Education Consultants
Therapeutic ServiceTraining
Telephone Support
Out of Hours Service
Financial Support
Respite
Individual membership to Fostering Network

Induction Training Programme

Following your approval you will be invited to attend a 'Foundation Course' which will give you further advice and training to prepare you for your placement.

TSD Standards

Support to achieve a national qualification designed specifically for new foster carers over your first year of fostering.

Supervision Meetings

Supervision meetings usually take place at your home on a monthly basis, although this can be increased if needed.

Support Groups

These meetings provide opportunities to meet with other foster carers and share their experiences as well as hearing from Social Workers of any developments in the organisation and the wider world of fostering.

Education Consultants

Access to consultants who are available to support children and young people’s education.

Therapeutic Service

Access to our Therapeutic Service providing specific support to foster carers at times of stress.

Training

Each foster carer has an Individual Development Plan; your Supervising Social Worker will complete this with you and identify your specific training and development needs.

Telephone Support

Access to telephone support is available to all foster carers during working hours. This could be available through the local office or directly through mobile phone access. There is always someone at the end of the phone.