Spotting Trauma Triggers in Your Child – and How to Support Them

Have you ever walked through a seaside town and the smell of fish and chips reminded you of a childhood holiday, heard a song that took you back to a special day, or met someone who resembled a person you once knew? Our senses are incredibly good at stimulating memories, feelings and sensations that seem to transport us back to the past.

As a result, you might feel nostalgic, happy or even a little sad about how quickly time flies.

But what happens when you’re living with childhood trauma? Those moments might feel completely different; instead of being reminded of a happy memory, you’re taken back to a traumatic experience, and it could feel like it’s happening all over again.

Many children and young people in care are living with trauma, and as they go about their day, they could face trauma triggers that lead to a survival response that they and others may not understand.

As their foster parent, they need your support to identify and manage their trauma triggers as part of their healing journey.

That’s why, in this article, we’ll be answering the following questions about childhood trauma triggers:

  • What are they?
  • How do they impact a person?
  • How do you identify them?
  • How can you support a child to cope with them?

What is a trauma trigger?

Trauma triggers are psychological cues that activate involuntary memories of past traumatic experiences. They can be anything that remind someone of a past trauma, such as:

  • Smells
  • Tastes
  • Sounds
  • Environments
  • People
  • Textures
  • Lightings
  • Tone of voice
  • Body language
Spotting Trauma

What happens when trauma is triggered?

When a trigger is activated, it can be extremely distressing for a child or young person, leading to a survival response which can manifest in various parts of the body:

  • Head and brain: The amygdala triggers the fight-or-flight response, which can look like panic attacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, impaired decision making, headaches, shutting down, dissociation, numbness, paralysis or difficulty focusing.
  • Throat and neck: As they try to process their feelings, they may experience communication difficulties, selective mutism, an inability to speak, a lump in their throat, choking, or voice tremors.
  • Back: Tension in the body may cause acute backaches, stiffness, or heavy pain.
  • Chest: Their chest may feel tight, they find it difficult to breathe, or experience heart palpitations.
  • Hands and arms: They might clench their fists or experience tremors and shaking.
  • Hips and pelvis: They may suddenly start wetting the bed or experience pelvic pain.
  • Stomach and gut: The overwhelming anxiety, dread and fear could cause IBS, nausea, sickness, picky eating, fasting, not eating, overeating and food sensitivities.

Don’t panic

Witnessing someone you love in distress from a trauma trigger can be difficult, but one of the most important things you can do in the moment is not rushing to fix things.

As a foster parent, your young person’s attachment to you can support them through a trauma trigger, and the acceptance, curiosity, and empathy pillars of PACE parenting can help you navigate the situation:

  • Empathy: Show them empathy for how they’re feeling by letting them know that you’re there and they’re safe with you.
  • Acceptance: Show them acceptance by validating their feelings and reassuring them that it’s okay for them to feel the way they do.
  • Curiosity: Remain curious about what has triggered them so you can discuss it with a psychotherapist to ensure you’re both receiving the right support.

Before we look at more ways you can support a child or young person in coping with trauma triggers, let’s explore how to identify them.

Trauma Triggers

How to identify trauma triggers

Healing from childhood trauma isn’t a linear journey. One day, your young person could seem like they’re coping very well. But on another day, you could be walking through a shopping centre and encounter something that reminds them of their past traumatic experiences, triggering the symptoms we mentioned earlier.

Some children and young people with complex needs may have limited vocabulary. Others may struggle to speak coherently and make sense of what’s going on when something triggers their survival response.

Rather than trying to interpret what’s going on for a child, it’s important to pay close attention to their behaviour. Are they touching a specific part of their body or seeking comfort in a particular way? You can then create a diary of triggers you’ve identified, including the date, time, and what happened.

This will help when you discuss your observations with a trained consultant who’ll ensure that both you and your young person receive the right support.

How to manage trauma triggers

As a foster parent, when a child or young person is distressed by a trauma trigger, your role is to keep them safe, offer reassurance, and be there to comfort them.

You might say something like “I can see you are struggling; I am here for you,” and then provide a gentle distraction that brings them back to the here and now.

Sometimes that might be offering them a cup of tea, a soft blanket, or soothing music. And other times, it may just be waiting together for the difficulty to ease. Over time, you’ll learn which distractions work best for them.

Simple grounding techniques for trauma triggers can also help calm their nervous system and bring them back to a more neutral state. For example, you could softly ask them to name:

  • 5 things they can see
  • 4 things they can feel
  • 3 things they can hear
  • 2 things they can smell
  • 1 thing they can taste

When your young person is back in the present, feels safe, and at ease, you can then support them in processing what happened and help them move forward.

ISP support for children living with trauma

At ISP, we specialise in therapeutic foster care, helping children heal from their trauma and work towards a brighter future.

Every child in our care is assessed by one of our in-house therapists. We then create a therapy programme tailored to their needs, which may include child and adolescent psychotherapy, speech and language therapy, art and play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and more.

Our therapists will work alongside you to not only help children manage their trauma triggers but also to understand their root cause.

We’ve also developed our City and Guilds Assured Therapeutic Pathway Programme, which will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support children living with the weight of past traumatic experiences.

Our holistic support is available 24/7, so you can rest assured knowing that when you join us, you’ll never be alone on your fostering journey.

Become a therapeutic foster parent

If you’d like to learn more about therapeutic fostering, call us on 0800 0857 989 or submit an enquiry form and we’ll call you.

You can also find out what it’s really like to foster with ISP by checking out our foster parent stories and exploring our other articles.

Together, we can help more children manage their trauma triggers, heal from their past experiences, and look to the future with hope.

What to Do if Your Foster Child is Bullied at School

Schools are supposed to be a safe space for children to learn, make friends, and dream about the future. But school is also the place where young people are most likely to meet their bully.

According to data published by the Office for National Statistics, 70% of children aged 10-15 who have experienced in-person bullying and 19% who’ve been victims of cyberbullying know the person from school.

But as a foster parent, what can you do about it? From the various types and signs of bullying to addressing it with the school and supporting your young person, join us as we explore bullying and what you can do to make it stop.

What does bullying at school look like?

Bullying can take many forms; sometimes it’s obvious, and other times it can be more subtle. But what they all have in common is the purpose – an intent to intimidate, humiliate, control, or hurt another individual perceived to be less able to defend themselves.

Children can be victims of one type of bullying or a combination of a few. Here they are in more detail:

  • Physical: Using violence such as kicking, pulling hair, or damaging another child’s belongings.
  • Emotional: Using manipulation, humiliation, criticism or exclusion to erode someone’s self-esteem.
  • Verbal: Using words to cause harm, such as name-calling, teasing, insults, and threatening language.
  • Social: Using social situations to isolate a person, such as exclusion, embarrassing someone in public, and starting malicious rumours.
  • Cyberbullying: Using social media, games consoles and other web-based forums to cause harm, such as sending hateful messages, sharing another child’s images without consent, and spreading rumours.

 

What are the signs of bullying at school?

According to the Anti-Bullying Alliance, children in care are twice as likely to be a victim of bullying in primary school and four times as likely to be a victim of bullying in secondary school.

Many children in care are living with trauma and complex needs, which can sadly make them a target for bullying. This means, as a foster parent, it’s vital to be aware of the signs that your young person is experiencing bullying, so you can act quickly and mitigate the damage it can have on their well-being.

Here are the telltale signs that your foster child could be a victim of bullying at school:

  • Injuries: They have unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or scratches. They may try to cover them up or become defensive when you ask about them.
  • Damaged or missing belongings: Has their brand-new backpack been mysteriously broken? Or their favourite pencil case vanished into thin air?
  • Social withdrawal: They may become withdrawn, preferring to stay in their room and refusing to socialise.
  • Sudden behavioural changes: They appear stressed, angry, irritable or have outbursts of emotion.
  • Changes in eating habits: They might struggle to eat or consume more than usual.
  • Sleep issues: They struggle to fall asleep, wake up more frequently during the night, or have nightmares.
  • School refusal: They have big feelings about attending school, feign illness, or try to delay going to school by taking longer to wake up, get dressed, and eat breakfast.
  • On edge: They jump, hide their phone, or seem upset when they receive a notification on their phone.
  • Disclosure: They might tell you they’re experiencing bullying or describe a situation that sounds like bullying.
  • Self-harm – In extreme cases, your young person may talk about harming themselves or actually try to harm themselves. In this case, you’ll need to intervene immediately. Mind has lots of guidance and resources about why young people self-harm and how to help them.

How to deal with bullying at school

If you notice any of the above signs that the child in your care could be a victim of bullying, it’s important to act immediately to prevent persistent bullying, which could add to their trauma and impact their healing. Here are some steps you can take to support them.

Talk to your foster child 

It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but talking to your young person about bullying isn’t as simple as just asking them ‘Are you being bullied?’ 

Your young person may not recognise their peer’s behaviour as bullying, or could be worried about the ramifications of letting you know, in case their bully(s) find out and things get worse. They may also struggle to open up about their experiences because their past has taught them that it isn’t safe to do so.  

You know the child in your care best, so approach the topic in a way that works for them. For example, you could use open questions like ‘How are things going at school?’ or ‘What are your relationships like with other students?’  

Pick an appropriate time to raise the issue, so it feels more natural and less intense for the child, such as while they’re engaged in another activity, such as drawing, playing, or cooking.  

If your young person does open up and tells you they’re being bullied, or about a situation that sounds like bullying, reassure them that it’s not their fault and you’ll do everything within your power to stop it from continuing.  

Keep a record of bullying 

Part of the role of a foster parent is to keep records, which include logging changes in behaviour, mood, and well-being.  

You should also record incidents of bullying, whether they’ve been reported to you directly from the child, a witness, or you’ve noticed something yourself.  

Your bullying log should include the date and time of each incident, what happened and the impact it has had on your young person. This will serve as essential evidence when you report bullying to the school.  

Report bullying to the school 

What is the school’s role in supporting looked-after children with bullying?  

Schools have a responsibility to safeguard children in care and ensure they receive the support they need to thrive in an educational setting. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent and tackle bullying.  

If the child in your care is experiencing bullying, contact the school and ask for a copy of their anti-bullying policy, which every school is legally required to have. Some schools also provide a link to this policy on their website. It should explain how to report bullying, the investigation process, and the steps the school will take to address the situation.  

You can then:  

  • Report the bullying to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Teacher for Looked After Children.  
  • Request a meeting to discuss the situation, where you can explain what has happened, when the incidents occurred, and how it has affected your foster child.  
  • Ask for a reasonable timeframe for action and agree on when you’ll follow up.  
  • Escalate the issue if you aren’t satisfied with the outcome, or if the bullying continues or gets worse. You can ask to speak to another senior member of staff or request support from the Virtual School Head to advocate on behalf of your young person.  

Remember to make notes of what was said, along with the date, time, and the person you spoke to. You should also inform your supervising social worker and your young person’s social worker, who can help report the issue and make a plan to stop the bullying.   

Provide emotional support  

For children in care who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, the death of a parent, or another adverse childhood experience, the world can feel like a scary and uncertain place, even without bullying.  

But when bullying does happen, it’s even more important that children feel safe, loved and understood at home. They’ll need your emotional support and guidance to ensure bullying doesn’t impact their healing from trauma. 

You can help your young person through this difficult time by: 

  • Reassuring them that it’s not their fault they’re being bullied and making sure they understand the steps being taken to stop it from continuing.  
  • Encouraging them to make friends outside of school – for example, by attending ISP events where they can share experiences with children who truly understand what it’s like to be in care and living with trauma.  
  • Limiting their time on devices, such as phones, tablets and laptops, if they’re experiencing cyberbullying, and teaching them how to block and report people to protect themselves from harmful content and messages. 
  • Using PACE parenting – a therapeutic approach that helps you nurture your relationship with the child in your care, helping them feel safe, understood, and valued just the way they are when they’re at home, away from bullies, in their safe place.  
  • Helping them personalise their bedroom with things that bring them joy and a sense of peace, so when they get home from school, they can unwind.  
  • Spending quality time together doing activities they love, such as baking, sports, or watching their favourite TV show.  
  • Sharing your experiences of bullying or difficult situations so they feel less alone and know that it’s safe to share their thoughts and feelings too.  

Lean on ISP’s Therapeutic support

At ISP, our wrap-around support means you’ll never have to face the issue of bullying alone. From therapists and advisory teachers to social workers and fostering advisors, we are here to advocate for your young person’s well-being alongside you.

When you foster with us, you’ll also enrol on our therapeutic pathway training programme, which will give you specialist skills and knowledge to not only care for children living with trauma but to help them heal from their experiences and build a brighter future.

 

Start your therapeutic fostering journey today

Ready to start your fostering journey? Call us on 0800 0857 989 or submit an enquiry form to take your first step to becoming a therapeutic foster parent and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in care.

How To Support A Childs Transition To School

Goodbyes in Fostering: How to Cope When a Child Leaves

Whether they leave at 18, reunite with their family or leave your home unplanned, saying goodbye to a foster child is something that every foster parent will experience at some point on their journey. 

But how do you cope when a child leaves? We spoke to one of our foster parents, James, to find out. Join us as he shares the story of his first goodbye, including how he managed, what he learned, and his advice for new foster parents on how to prepare for a foster child leaving.  

The end of an era: James’s experience of saying ‘goodbye’ 

James and his family have been fostering children on a long-term basis for more than ten years. Last year, they said their first goodbye to a child who had lived with them for 13 years.  

Although fostering arrangements typically end when a child turns 18, James’s young person continued to live in their home through the ‘staying put’ scheme until he was 21. This type of arrangement helps young people build a stronger foundation and become better prepared for independent living before they take that step.  

We asked James some questions about his experience of saying goodbye, and we hope it will help foster parents who are navigating, or are worried about navigating, this transition.  

Can you tell us about your first goodbye? 

“The first time that I had to say goodbye to a foster child was only a year ago. He came to live with us when he was eight, and stayed with us until he was 21, so he grew up with us. When he turned 18, he went to university before deciding that it wasn’t for him. At the age of 21, he got his own apartment and became fully independent. Now, he is part-owner of his own business.” 

“We are still very much in touch with him, and he is always present at our family events, like Christmas and get-togethers. I am very proud of him and what he has accomplished, and how he has progressed and grown from a child to a wonderful young man.” 

 

How did you prepare him to leave your home? 

“It’s very important to prepare a child for leaving home. In the case of a long-term arrangement such as mine, I made sure that as the child grew older, our plans for him were always clear and explained.” 

“We discussed the option to ‘stay put’ after he turned 18 and ensured he understood that during this period, we would be preparing him to eventually move into independent living. I also reassured him that he would be fully supported and that he wouldn’t have to leave until he felt capable and ready to do so.” 

“If you foster a younger child and they’re moving to a different foster home, I think it’s important to explain the reasons and benefits of their move. I’d also reassure them that it’s in their best interests and that we’re still here for them if they need us.” 

How did you feel when he left? 

“It was quite emotional when he left home for the last time, but everyone felt a strong sense of pride and achievement in him. He was proud to be moving into his own place and felt confident knowing that we were all still here for him, and that he could call on us whenever he wished.” 

“When a child leaves, there are lots of different emotions involved:  

  • Pride: When a young person has lived with us long-term, I can see how far they’ve come since the day they arrived. I feel proud that I have helped them grow into a well-rounded and confident adult. 
  • Anxiety: Even though I know they’re ready for the big, wide world, there is always a bit of anxiety around them leaving, just as I felt when one of my birth children left the home. 
  • Missing them: I miss talking to them and seeing them around. As soon as they have left, there seems to be something missing from the home, and this can last for a while.  
  • Happiness: Above all, I feel happy knowing that the child has made progress and achieved so much during their time with us.” 

How did saying goodbye impact your family? 

“The rest of my family coped with saying goodbye in the same way that I did. They knew he would still remain a part of our family and that they would see him again.” 

“I think it could be more difficult for both adults and children to say goodbye if the child’s younger when they leave. You would need to explain to your children the reasons why the child is moving on and reassure them that it is the right thing for the child at the time.” 

“The great thing is that the ISP team are always there to support every child in the foster home and the foster parents.” 

 

How did you manage your feelings while supporting him? 

“When my first child left, it was difficult for me to hide my emotions. I made sure we supported him in every way possible and reassured him that he was still part of our family and welcome to visit any time.” 

“We didn’t hide our emotions, and I think that’s important because it shows the young person how much they mean to you, especially as he had been part of our family for 13 years. He was ready to move on at the age of twenty-one, which I believe made things a little easier for all of us.”  

Do you think goodbyes get any easier? 

“I think goodbyes will always be very emotional, no matter how long a child has been living with you or how many times you’ve said goodbye to children you’ve cared for. You get very attached to them; they become part of the family.” 

“When I have to say my next goodbye, I think my emotions will be the same: pride, anxiety, missing them, but also happiness in knowing that they have progressed to a place where they are confident to live independently.” 

What have you learned from your first goodbye? 

“Goodbyes are a lot more difficult and emotional than I ever thought they would be. When you’ve fostered a child for a long time, they become part of your family. They may be calling you ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad’ and referring to your own children as their siblings. When they leave, it feels the same as it does when your own children leave home.  

“When I started fostering, I was told that I would get attached to the children, but I only really understood what this meant once we welcomed a child into our home.” 

What advice would you give new foster parents on saying goodbye? 

“My advice to new foster carers preparing for a child’s departure would be: 

  • Reassure the young person that everything happening is in their best interests. 
  • As your young person grows older, make sure they are fully aware of and understand the long-term plan for their future.  
  • Let them know that you will still be there for them to talk to, and possibly see, if they need you.  
  • Emphasise that moving on will only happen when they feel ready and capable.  
  • Make sure they know they’ll have the support they need. 
  • Prepare yourself emotionally, as you may experience similar feelings to those you would have if your own child were leaving home.”

How did ISP support you with the goodbye? 

“Support from ISP and our social worker really helped the whole family with the transition. They provided practical and emotional support, and we knew we could always turn to them for advice and guidance.”

Worried about goodbyes? Here are James’s thoughts 

“To someone worried about goodbyes, I would say to remember that, ideally, when you foster a child, you’re helping them to overcome challenges they may have faced, such as trauma, and supporting them to grow into well-rounded and confident children and adults.” 

“They become part of your family, and just as with your birth children, you’re preparing them for the day when they can move independently into the wider world.” 

“So, when the time comes to say goodbye, be proud that you have played a part in helping a young person reach a stage where they’re ready to live independently. And if they’re not yet at that age or level, take comfort in knowing that you’ve contributed to their positive development, and that moving to a different home is what is best for them at that time.”

We’re here to support you 

Whether you foster long-term or short-term, at ISP, we understand how difficult saying goodbye to a child can feel. That’s why, as part of our support for foster parents, we help your whole family manage the transition. 

We also work hard to prevent unplanned endings by carefully matching children with the right foster families and providing a therapeutic foster parent training programme. This not only equips you with the skills and knowledge to care for children living with trauma but also helps you prepare them for independent living.   

Through our network of fostering professionals, including social workers, teachers and therapists, our support for children in foster care helps them develop life skills, make the most of their education, and heal from their past experiences.   

Start your fostering journey today 

Ready to become a foster parent? Call us on 0800 0857 989 or submit an enquiry form and we’ll be in touch to tell you more about therapeutic foster care.  

Child Leaves Your Home

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Top 10 Books Every Therapeutic Foster Parent Should Read 

The life-long journey of fostering

Fostering is an incredibly rewarding career path and lifestyle, particularly for those who value continuous personal development and who love to learn. When you foster with us, you’ll develop a variety of skills through our therapeutically informed training and by learning from other professionals and foster parents in our community.  

Our talented therapists have put together a reading list for foster parents who are interested in boosting their therapeutic parenting skills, and for those who are interested in learning more about what it’s like to parent a child who has faced challenges during their formative years. From general parenting advice to understanding neuroscience and learning from real-life experiences, here are our therapist’s top picks for books which are beneficial for foster parents. 

fostering

The best books for foster parents

‘The Body Keeps the Score’ by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. 

One of the most widely praised texts on trauma, this incredible book is a fountain of knowledge for anyone who helps those living with trauma. The book explores the impact of trauma on the body as well as its cognitive effects and looks at how therapies which involve the physical body, such as EMDR therapy can be a huge benefit.   

 

‘Creating Loving Attachments: Parenting with P.A.C.E to Nurture Confidence and Security in the Troubled Child’ by Dr. Dan Hughes & Kim Golding 

The P.A.C.E approach to parenting emphasises four key components of parenting with a therapeutic focus: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. Each of these come together to offer an effective approach when practiced with persistence and patience. Day-to-day P.A.C.E strategies will no doubt be a lifeline as you navigate life as a foster parent, making this title one of best books on foster care. 

 

‘Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain’ by Sue Gerhardt 

This excellent book gives a simple explanation of the neuroscience behind children’s brain development, and the enormous influence which relationships with caregivers can have during this vital time. The book also explores the effects which poor quality relationships in childhood can have on an adult’s mental health and life outcomes, and explores ways to heal.  

 

‘The Boy Who Was Raised By A Dog’ by Bruce D. Perry & Maia Szalavitz 

Bruce D. Perry is an American child psychiatrist who shares his personal experiences in working with children who have dealt with trauma while exploring the neuroscience behind how he helps children to heal. It is a fascinating book with plenty of insightful content — just be aware that this book deals with some very distressing stories from the offset.  

 

‘The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read’ by Philippa Perry 

By encouraging parents and caregivers to foster more self-awareness and mindfulness of their own behaviours, Phillipa Perry’s strategies can help families to become happier and better connected. Encouraging mindful, reflective parenting and offering tips and advice, this is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about their own behaviours and developing their parenting skills.  

 

‘The Whole-Brain Child’ by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson 

This book introduces parents to the ‘Engage don’t enrage’ strategy and encourages parents to use neuroscience techniques to help children develop their cognitive skills in relation to their logic and emotion centres of their brains. The strategies within can help parents to tackle difficult moments, help children to reach a place of calm, and can aid in giving caregivers a better understanding of a child’s internal world.  

 

‘Calm Parents, Happy Kids’ by Dr. Laura Markham  

This book shows that a calm, happy household starts with role modelling healthy behaviours. The book offers practical tips on how parents and caregivers can create an empathetic, warm environment and a sense of safety in the children they care for through being mindful of their own behaviours, supporting children to develop the skills they’ll need to regulate their emotions independently.  

 

‘Don’t Make Assumptions: Children’s and Young People’s Views of the Child Protection System’ by Marian Brandon, Jeanette Cossar & Peter Jordan 

This insightful book uplifts the voices of care experienced children and young people, so that foster parents can learn more about the UK care system from the people  it effects the most. These real-life experiences and accounts offer a glimpse into children’s lives and help us to reflect on the stigma against care-experienced people, and what we can do to make positive changes.  

 

‘Working with Relational and Developmental Trauma in Children and Adolescents’ by Karen Treisman 

This book contains plenty of deep research into how trauma impacts young people, and what adults involved in a child’s life can do to support them throughout their healing journey. The book is aimed at professionals working with children, making it a perfect fit for foster parents who are hungry to learn more about the science behind developmental trauma.  

 

‘How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk’ by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish  

This bestselling parenting book is a fantastic choice for foster parents. It gives advice on navigating family life, utilizing beneficial communication practices like active listening and how to reduce friction between yourself and your foster child during difficult times. It’s an empathetic, excellent read which helps bring families closer together through understanding and cooperation.  

Bonus recommendations: Books to read with your foster child 

Reading together provides the perfect opportunity to bond with your foster child. These books aimed at little ones are perfect for helping your young person to better understand themselves and the world they live in.  

 

‘The Invisible String’ by Patrice Karst  

This fantastic story book is perfect for young children who struggle with separation, such as children who miss members of their birth family, are dealing with loss or who become anxious when separated from their foster parent. It uses the metaphor of an invisible string connecting loved ones to show that no matter how far apart we may be from the people we love, we are always connected to them.
 

‘A Terrible Thing Happened’ by Margaret M. Holmes  

This simple, gentle tale about a racoon who has witnessed an upsetting, unnamed incident is a fantastic tool for helping children who live with trauma. It explains some of the experiences a child may encounter after living through something upsetting, such as feeling angry or dealing with nightmares, and offers gentle support and reassurance that the child is not to blame for their experiences.  

Are you ready to learn more about fostering? 

Here at ISP, we’re proud to be the founders of therapeutic foster care. We’re always seeking professional, kind hearted people with a love for learning to join our team of incredible foster parents. If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to foster with the UK’s longest established Independent Fostering Agency, contact us today.  

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