The Impact of Fostering Friendly Employers 

Foster Carers make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and support them at the time they need it most. To provide a stable and secure home for the children in their care, Foster Carers need their own support networks. As well as support from Fair Ways, this support can start with their employers becoming Fostering Friendly Employers.

Why do employers need to join the Fostering Friendly Initiative?

The aim of the Fair Ways Employer Initiative is to make a difference to the lives of Foster Carers and the thousands of children in need of fostering.

We have found that there has been a lack of support from employers for people who are, or who are looking at being Foster Carers, and therefore it is no surprise that there is a national shortage of Foster Carers. Becoming a Fostering Friendly Employer put a marker in the sand. It shows your employees that you will support them if they wish to become a Foster Carer, with Fostering Friendly policies and flexibility to undertake both roles simultaneously.

Depending on circumstances, many foster carers still work during fostering. Currently, 40% juggle both jobs, and therefore, to put in the time and dedication it takes to being a Foster Carer, they need their employers commitment and unwavering support. This can include introducing a fostering friendly HR policy or offering flexible working arrangements.

How does the Fostering Friendly Employer Initiative work?

Some companies do not know where to start with supporting their employees with Fostering or have simply not considered this as an area of support. Signing up will improve the support employers can offer, and make workplaces a friendlier place for Foster Carers, which consequently benefits young people in their care.

Fair Ways will provide organisations who join the initiative with –

• HR policy templates
• Digital badge to showcase your involvement in the initiative
• Certificate to put on display
• Template internal communications to spread the word
• Typical FAQs about how to best support Foster Carers
• External publicity to all organisations who have signed the charter

Not only does it make it easier for people fostering and considering fostering as their path, but it can promote fostering, opening the idea up to someone who may not have considered this as a role they would be interested in.

By offering employees the support and flexibility to become a Foster Carer and understanding what employers can do to offer support, local organisations are also helping make a real difference to the lives of children in foster care.

Why are we focusing on Portsmouth if it is a country-wide issue?

In short, we started in Portsmouth because it’s where we are based. It’s where we have relationships with local organisations and know the culture of the city is one of support for children and young people in care.

With so many children in need of fostering placements across the country, we hope that by launching the Fostering Friendly Employer Initiative in Portsmouth will not only make Portsmouth the first Fostering Friendly city in the UK, but also serve the purpose of highlighting the need for the Fostering Friendly Imitative in our neighbouring cities and further afield.

This is coming soon…

How to become a Fostering Friendly Employer?

1. Complete the sign-up form using the link here.
2. A member of our team will then be in touch to walk you through the process of becoming a Fostering Friendly Employer.
3. You then sign the Fostering Friendly Charter, and it is that simple: you are now a Fostering Friendly Employer.
4. Reshare our post on social media, celebrating your new status.
5. Use the logo with pride!
6. Share your success stories with Fair Ways!

As of September 2026, we have 147 companies signed up as Foster Friendly Employers, committed to supporting their employees and young people in care. To continue to raise awareness of fostering we have set a new goal to hit 200 companies, so please make a significant impact and sign up today.