Foster Care Matters is delighted to share that we will be hosting another Prepare to Foster training course in May 2026.

Our Prepare to Foster training course gives prospective foster parents, who have applied to foster, a real, honest, and in‑depth picture of what fostering truly involves, helping you understand the role, the expectations, and the realities of caring for children who need a safe and supportive home.

Across these sessions, you’ll explore the day‑to‑day responsibilities of foster parents, therapeutic parenting approaches, the challenges, and rewards of fostering, and how our not‑for‑profit agency works to support you throughout the process.

The course also brings people together through discussions, presentations, and real‑life experiences – our Prepare to Foster groups often form strong connections with one another.

Many stay in touch long after the course ends and go on to support each other once they’re approved foster parents. It’s a supportive network that begins right from the very start of your journey.

The training is led by Karen, our Fostering Service Manager, and Deb, our Recruitment and Family Matching Coordinator, who together bring almost 40 years of experience in fostering and social care.

Their warm, down‑to‑earth style creates an open, reassuring atmosphere where you can ask questions, share thoughts, and leave feeling informed and supported.

The exact dates and venue for this course will be shared upon enquiry, but, to help fit around busy lives, we can say that the course takes place during weekends, allowing you to take it one step at a time while still moving forward with your fostering journey.

If you are interested in fostering and you live within the North West or Stoke‑on‑Trent areas, please click here to register your interest today and one of our friendly team will be in touch.