Foster parents are some of today’s unsung heroes. So, we absolutely acknowledge that they deserve to be valued and generously rewarded for their effort, commitment and kindness towards children. Fostering allowances provide financial support to cover all the living...
A child in your care hurting themselves is one of the most worrying and scary things any foster parent has to face, and it will have a big emotional impact upon you, even if you’ve experienced it before. As terrifying and incomprehensible as it can seem, it’s actually...
When your child will not eat it becomes a worrying time for all parents and carers, however you are not alone. Although forcing a child to eat more than he/she needs, can only lead to tears, tantrums and stressful mealtimes for all involved. Make sure to take a look...
When a child doesn’t go to school it can have a huge impact on both the child themselves and on everyone else in the household. Refusing to go can be a sign of problems in or out of school and it’s important to focus on getting to the underlying cause of why they...
Why is helping your foster child with homework helpful? Parents and carers who take an interest in their children's homework have a better knowledge of their education. Additionally, children who are able to complete homework tasks successfully are likely to develop a...
Bullying, unfortunately, isn’t uncommon. It can be a very upsetting for any child, let alone a child who may already be feeling vulnerable. By knowing the signs of bullying and feeling confident in dealing with them, you will be able to help resolve the issues more...
Your foster child going missing can be a distressing and anxious time for the whole family, as well as the child. Children can abscond and go missing for a variety of reasons including wanting control in their lives. Reasons a foster child may run away Having a...
If you're preparing to be a foster parent, congratulations on starting a journey many aren’t ready for or feel unable to take. Be proud of yourself! There are a few things we recommend you do to prepare for your foster child. Becoming a foster parent is a huge...
At AFA we make sure we ‘match’ as carefully as possible. What does this mean? Well, when a referral comes to us from a local authority we, the duty team, read the information they send with great care. This is a crucial first step to arranging placements that are...
With exams just around the corner, whether GCSE’s or A levels, it is important to be prepared, but also not to panic. Below is our top ten tips and further advice posted online by past students, which may be useful in preparing for your exams. Top Ten Tips Create a...