News & Blogs

Fostering is someone or more than one person who brings up or looks after a child that is not theirs. Foster carers are so important to those children who do not have a loving home.Clifford House Fostering was established in 1996 and we have extensive experience working with local authorities. Our aim is to make … What is Fostering? A mother’s perspective.

The foster care sector provides a safe place for over 50,000 children in the care of social services each year. According to national statistics, around 1 in 3 or those children are placed by IFAs (Independent Fostering Agencies) and it is up to us to find and vet potential carers before making them available to … Foster Caring in the UK Survey 2015

Local Authorities, with the support of leading organisations and charities such as Ofsted, the Coram, The Fostering Network and IFAs (Independent Fostering Agencies), play a leading role in securing a brighter future for children in care. To give you an idea of how important the foster care industry is to helping these children fulfil their … 2015 Foster Care Facts and Statistics

I’ve heard that if I give up work then I can’t claim benefits for six months, does this count if I give up work to foster? Will I receive enough benefits to support myself and the foster child? The child that you foster will not be counted as part of your household when calculating any … MumsNet Questions: Fostering, Benefits and Work

Articles 14/05/12 – Every 22 Minutes a Child Needs a Foster Carer – Huffington Post This article gives a factual perspective on the need for foster carers in the UK with statistics and real-life stories from foster children. 12/03/13 – What Foster Parents Wish Other People Knew – ScienceBlogs.com This is an American article and … No Idea About Fostering? Here are 13 Articles and Blogs We Recommend

Another Place at the Table by Kathy Harrison (2004) This is the first-person story of a woman who has been a foster parent for more than a decade. ‘If you want to know what it’s like to be a foster parent, read this book.’ Crying for Help by Casey Watson (2012) This book is fictional … Never Heard of Fostering? 9 Books to Get You Started

We recently treated our Foster Carers, their families and looked-after children to a family day out in Telford. As you can see, it was a great day out for all involved, particularly the adults!

It wasn’t until Ellen* was placed with her carers at Clifford House that she was finally faced with the prospects of a positive and bright future. From a young age, Ellen had more to face in her life than the average young girl. She was neglected and her parents were often physical with her. At … It’s the Little Things That Make All the Difference…

On Sunday BBC 2 launched it’s new documentary series following the foster carer’s at Dorset County Council on their journey with fostering. Here’s the Clifford House review of episode one. I felt it was a really fair and realistic portrayal of the job our carers do and the needs of the children we work with. Also … BBC2’s Protect our Foster Kids: Episode One Review

A year has passed since the enactment of the most significant piece of legislation for thousands of young people in care and their foster carers across the UK. Young people are no longer forced to leave their foster homes at the age of eighteen although this has not come without its challenges. The Staying Put … Part Two – How much has Staying Put affected Fostering in the UK?  

Following lengthy campaigns over the years and pilot programmes trialling ‘Staying Put’ in 11 local authorities, young people in foster care are no longer forced to leave their foster homes at 18. Prior to the Staying Put legislation, many young people were required to leave the homes where they had been placed and become comfortable … Part One – 18 and Forced to Leave Care: Life for a foster child before the Staying Put