Things to Do During the First Few Days with a Foster Child

Once your application goes through and everything is finalised, it is time to welcome a foster child into your home. The first few days will be important as they will inform the experience you both get out of the fostering arrangement. So, what things should you do in their first few days in your care?

Greet Them with a Warm Smile

A welcome smile can be a powerful tool for making a foster child feel welcome and wanted in your home, and it also helps you set the right tone. Let them know that you are happy to have them in your home and that they can come to you in case they need anything.

Introduce Them to the Home and Family

The first few days are also important for letting them familiarise themselves with your home. It is also a good idea to introduce them to the rest of the family so they can start getting familiar with everyone. Then, give them a tour of the house but let them know they are free to explore too. Show them the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom first, as these are the areas that they will frequent the most. You can show them the rest of the house once they are relaxed and settled in. When giving them a tour of the home, show them where things like food and the fridge are located.

Plan Some Activities

It is a good idea to plan some things you will do with them a few days after a foster child arrives in your home. Activities allow you to spend some time with them and are crucial for forming those all-important bonds. Getting involved with them also shows that you care about them so they can start trusting you.

The good news is that there are many activities and things to do, especially if you are fostering in an exciting city like Manchester. You can check out the different things you can do together on thefca.co.uk, where you will find some activities that interest the child under your care.

Allow Them to Be Alone

Being in a different environment such as your home can induce some anxiety, and a foster child might feel like they need some time alone. As a foster carer, be understanding and give them space to be alone. They will probably need the space and time alone a lot during the first few days, but they will ease up once they start getting familiar with the home and feeling that they belong. Let them know you will be there for them if they want to talk, which they eventually will.

Be Respectful and Sensitive About Their Possessions

Foster children typically arrive in their new homes with some of their possessions. Even though they may not seem like much, these possessions are usually the only thing connecting them to the world they used to live in. Do not replace these possessions because they may be the only sources of comfort they know.

We hope these tips are helpful during the first few days of having a foster child in your home. Remember that you can always get support through your foster care agency if you need it.