There is no single path to becoming a foster carer.
People open their homes to children and young people for many different reasons. Some have grown up around foster care, some want to provide a safe and stable home, while others find themselves responding to a child or young person who needs somewhere safe to belong.
For Foster Care Week 2026, three of Anchor Community Care’s foster carers shared their very different journeys to becoming foster carers.
Their stories reflect this year’s Foster Care Week theme: Open doors, open hearts, open opportunities.
Three different journeys to foster care
For Tina, foster care was something she grew up knowing about. Her grandparents had been foster carers, giving them an early understanding of the difference that a safe and supportive home can make in a children’s lives.
For Arisva’s family, their journey to foster care came after they were unable to have biological children. They chose to open their home to children who needed a safe, loving and supportive family environment.
For Scott, becoming a foster carer wasn’t something he had initially planned. His journey began by opening their home to their daughter’s friend, who needed a safe place to stay. That first experience eventually led to caring for many other children.
Their circumstances were completely different, but each journey began with a willingness to open their home and provide care to a child who needed it.
What does a foster carer provide?
Foster carers play an important role in providing children and young people with safety, stability, care and connection when they cannot live with their birth family.
Foster care can look different for every child. Some children may need care for a short period, while others may require longer-term support. Foster carers work as part of a broader support network, alongside children, families, case workers and other professionals, to help children experience stability and positive opportunities.
Becoming a foster carer isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It is about being willing to provide a safe, supportive environment and work with others to meet a child’s individual needs.
There is no single path to becoming a foster carer
The stories of these three carers demonstrate that people arrive at foster care in many different ways.
What they share is a belief that opening a door can open up opportunities for a child.
For some people, becoming a foster carer may be something they’ve considered for years. For others, it may begin with a conversation, a connection or a desire to make a difference in their community.
During Foster Care Week, Anchor is celebrating the foster carers who open their homes and hearts to children and young people, and encouraging anyone considering foster care to learn more about what it involves.
Could you become a foster carer?
If you’ve ever wondered whether foster care could be right for you, there is no single type of person who becomes a foster carer.
Find out more about foster care with Anchor Community Care, the different types of foster care available and the support provided to carers throughout their journey.
