Why diversity in foster care is important

Why diversity is important

Diversity is a vital part of our fostering community.

Class, gender, marital status, race, sex, age, faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability should never prevent you from getting in touch. It will also never prevent your application from progressing. As long as you’re compassionate and have the commitment and motivation to make a positive difference to a child’s life, you will have what it takes.

We are proud of our fostering community, which includes children and foster carers from all walks of life. Children should be encouraged and supported to have positive views of themselves and to be proud of their identity and heritage.

It is our duty to help young people in foster care remain connected with their heritage and identity. It is often in a child’s best interest to be placed with foster carers who are ethnically and culturally similar and our careful matching process is dedicated to placing foster children with carers who will allow them to grow into their personal identity, feel a sense of pride and develop an understanding of who they are.

5 ways to support your foster child’s cultural identity

1. Help children feel proud of who they are

Choosing to foster means committing to support every part of a child’s life. Creating an inclusive home helps them build confidence and a strong sense of identity. You can celebrate their heritage by cooking familiar meals, providing the right hair and skin products, learning their language, or supporting cultural and religious practices.

2. Build confidence through training

Our foster carers never stop learning, and we offer a wide range of training and support to help you meet every child’s needs. This includes cultural identity support groups, anti-racist training, reflective practice, and resources for caring for Black, Asian, and mixed-race children. You’ll have access to hair, skin, and health workshops, the chance to buddy up with experienced carers, and specialist training for those supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We also host community events that celebrate culture and connection.

3. See the bigger picture of identity

This means understanding how different forms of prejudice can overlap and affect a child’s life. Many children in care already face disadvantage due to early adversity, and those with additional protected characteristics are at even greater risk. Alongside racism, young people may also encounter harmful stereotypes about living in care.

4. Help children feel safe and supported

Supporting a child’s mental wellbeing is a vital part of your role. Children from ethnic minority backgrounds often face racism—through discrimination, stereotypes, or microaggressions—which can deeply affect mental health.

Make race an open topic in your home. Encourage your young person to share their experiences, listen without judgment, and reassure them their feelings are valid. Be their advocate when needed and ensure you both know what support is available if they face abuse or discrimination online, at school, or elsewhere.

5. Get the help you need, when you need it

Our team are here to support you and the children in your care every step of the way. Your family will have access to a dedicated Supervising Social Worker, excellent training, and you’ll have the opportunity to join regular support groups to connect with other foster carers and learn from their experiences.

We’re privileged to have strong, positive relationships with local community groups and organisations who are always open and willing to support our carers and children in celebrating their culture and heritage through meaningful connections and activities.