Is Anyone Listening? Giving Foster Carers a Voice in the System

What’s happening in the world of foster care – And why carers need to be heard.

Foster carers play one of the most vital roles in a child’s life—but too often, their voices go unheard. While they provide round-the-clock care, attend countless meetings, and advocate fiercely for the children they look after, many feel like their views are sidelined when it comes to decision-making.

In 2025, as the pressures on the care system grow, we must ask: Are foster carers being treated as true professionals? And if not—why?

The Reality Behind the Role

Being a foster carer is much more than “looking after” a child. It’s offering emotional support, helping them heal from trauma, guiding their education, managing contact with birth families, and navigating complex systems from health to social care and education.

Despite all this, many carers report feeling excluded from key decisions about the children they care for. Whether it’s changes in schooling, contact arrangements, or moving a child on, carers are often informed after the fact, if at all.

This isn’t just disheartening it can be harmful to the child’s progress. Carers build strong, trusted relationships with children. Their insights are not only valuable – they are essential.

“We’re Part of the Team – So Let Us Speak”

Foster carers are legally considered part of the professional team around a child, yet they are rarely treated as such. In meetings, their concerns may be brushed aside. When placements break down, blame can fall heavily on them often without any real discussion about support, training, or wider systemic issues.

It’s not about ego. It’s about respect. Foster carers want to be heard not for recognition, but because they know the children in their care deeply. They see what works and what doesn’t. They witness the progress—and the pain.

Raising the Bar: What Needs to Change?

1. More Professional Recognition

Carers need to be seen as trained, knowledgeable professionals, not just “babysitters.” This includes fairer pay, access to mental health support, and having their contributions formally acknowledged.

2. A Seat at the Table

Carers should be present at all major decisions about the children they look after from education to future placements. Their voice should carry weight.

3. Standardised Rights Across Agencies

Experiences can vary widely depending on the fostering agency or local authority. A national framework of foster carer rights could help ensure all carers are treated fairly and consistently.

4. Better Support, Not Just Training

Training is vital, but so is regular emotional and practical support. Many carers face burnout due to lack of respite, unclear communication, or inadequate back-up in crises.

Why It Matters for Carers and Children

When foster carers feel heard and supported, they’re more likely to continue fostering and provide better outcomes for children. Retaining experienced carers is crucial in a system that often struggles with placement shortages.

Children sense when their carers are frustrated or unsupported. When carers are respected and included, the whole environment becomes safer, more stable, and more nurturing.

Final Thoughts

Foster carers open their homes, their hearts, and their lives to children who need safety and love. The least we can do is listen.

As the foster care system continues to evolve, we must ensure the people doing the day-to-day, deeply emotional work are empowered and included not just expected to manage without a voice.

Because if we want better outcomes for children, we need to start by valuing the people who care for them.