Support From The Very Beginning
We understand that choosing to become a foster carer is a significant and life-changing decision, and it's important that you have the time and information you need before making such a commitment. At EFS , we are committed to providing comprehensive guidance, clear information, and ongoing support throughout the enquiry and assessment stage. Our aim is to ensure you feel informed, confident, and fully supported in deciding whether fostering is the right path for you and your family.
Our recruitment co - ordinator Mia will be your immediate point of contact during those first few stages to ensure all your questions are answered – please text, call or email as much as you need to!
There will also be other members of the team, staff and foster carers, with specialised experience and knowledge in certain areas, who will be happy to chat / meet for a coffee to answer any further questions you may have.
The EFS Mentor group – a WhatsApp group with a selection of our Foster carers (and others at the same stage as you!) that you will be invited to join following your home visit. The group will be on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have all the way through the assessment process.
Support for our Foster carers
Being well supported as a foster carer is essential to ensuring both you and the childrenin your care can thrive. Fostering can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also bringchallenges, particularly when caring for children who may have experienced trauma orloss. Access to consistent professional guidance, training, and emotional supporthelps carers feel confident, resilient, and well-equipped to provide stable, nurturinghomes. Strong support not only benefitsyouandyourfamily, but also plays a vital rolein creating positive, lasting outcomes for the childrenyoucare for.
You will ALWAYS be able to reach someone when needed.
They provide a safe space to share experiences, gain reassurance, learn from others, and feel connected to a supportive fostering community. At EFS, we hold regular support groups across varying locations.
Our director El holds a carer consultation twice a year, with all of our carers invited to attend to discuss what is working well, if there are any areas that need improvement and to gain your thoughts and opinions on new ideas.
We offer an extensive training package here at EFS (some mandatory, some recommended!) but if there is ever an area you feel you need more support in – please just let us know!
They will offer a great deal of support by providing regular supervision, practical guidance, and professional advice to help you meet the individual needs of the children in your care. They act as a consistent point of contact, offering reassurance during challenging times, advocating on your behalf, identifying training opportunities, and ensuring you feel confident, valued, and fully supported throughout your fostering journey.
Paul is our Under-16s Children’s Champion and Sandra is our 16+ Children’s Champion. Paul and Sandra provide practical and emotional support to both carers and children.
Paul works closely with carers and children on a day-to-day basis, supporting children’s mental and physical wellbeing through mentoring, activities, and community engagement. He offers daytime respite for carers by taking children on outings and activities designed to build confidence, independence, and positive social experiences within the community. For children who are currently out of school, Paul can also provide a few hours of weekly support.
In addition, Paul organises children’s activity days and family trips during school holidays, helping to bring together families within EFS. These include festive parties, cinema and museum trips, BBQs, beach days, and our annual family camping holiday on Mersea Island.
Sandra provides the same support to families with 16+ young people. In addition, she works closely with young people to help prepare them for greater independence and adulthood. This includes support with CV writing, budgeting and money management, developing cooking and life skills, attending college and health-related meetings, and helping young people gain confidence in using public transport independently.
Both Paul and Sandra’s main focus is to support children and their families in any way they can, helping to make day-to-day life a little easier while ensuring children and young people have positive, enriching experiences and opportunities to thrive.
There is plenty of opportunity to spend time with the EFS family as a whole, with an activity every half term (and several in the summer!) that everyone is invited to attend. Not only does it give the children a chance to spend time together and have some fun, but it also allows our foster carers to meet, chat and get to know each other! Building those friendships can be hugely beneficial and contribute to your support network even further.
Our Nature Leads
Sharon and Camilla have both been Fostering with EFS for several years now, so between them, they have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our new foster carers. Of course, they are available to support all carers that need it, but primarily, Sharon and Camilla’s roles are to advise and support new carers in their first few months of Fostering.
Either Sharon or Camilla will come along to meet you when you are first approved at Panel – just to check in, see how you are feeling, answer any questions you may have and offer some friendly advice. You will have their contact information so you can reach out when needed – particularly for any extra support during that first placement.
Sharon and Camilla also host a “nurture lead workshop” for our new carers to attend after panel approval. This workshop covers topics such as:
- The first hours: welcoming a child to your home
- Understanding trauma and survival mode
- Boundaries and routine
- Managing appointments and multi-agency working
- Recording and Logs
- Peer support and using your team around you
The support benefits of Fostering with a small agency
Personalised attention:
Fewer carers mean supervising social workers can spend more time with each carer, understanding their unique needs and circumstances.
The whole team will know you by name – you will not just be a number in a large corporation.
Stronger relationships:
Close, consistent contact with your social worker helps build trust and ensures carers feel valued and supported.
Faster response times:
Questions, concerns, or issues can be addressed quickly without layers of bureaucracy.
Tailored guidance and training:
Support and development opportunities can be adapted to suit the carer’s experience and the children in their care.
Tight-knit community:
A family-like environment, connecting carers with peers for shared advice and encouragement. Strong relationships with the team as a whole.
Greater flexibility:
Policies and approaches can be more adaptable to meet individual placement needs and family circumstances.
Support With Matching and Placements
Personalised Matching for Your Family:
At EFS, matching a child with your family is about more than filling a space — it’s about finding the right fit for everyone.
Experienced Guidance
Our Family Finder, Emily, has years of experience in the care system and first - hand knowledge of children’s needs.
She knows what makes placements successful and works closely wit h families to ensure the best outcomes.
Getting to Know You:
Emily will visit your home to meet you and your family. This helps her understand your household, your preferences, and what matters most to you in a placement.
Clear Communication & Choice:
When s uitable referrals come through, Emily will keep you fully informed. You can ask as many questions as you need, and if a match doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to say no.
Why It Matters:
Our priority is to get the match right — helping children feel safe and supported while ensuring a positive experience for your family.
