Such groups enable foster carers to talk about their experiences, share best practice and provide a formal mechanism to have their voices heard by their fostering service.
The Fostering Network champions the role of foster care associations and similar groups in making foster care the best they can be.
Download our document outlining the various roles and responsibilities with an FCA.
Our advice lines provide confidential, independent and impartial advice for foster carers in the UK.
Our members also have exclusive access to our online community where you can log in to share your experience and get advice from other foster carers.
When an FCA or support group is working well, they are in a powerful position to improve foster care in their area in three ways.
Representing the views of foster carers. FCAs and support groups should have a good understanding of their members' views and priorities. This enables them to represent their foster carers in meetings with managers and advocate for foster carers and the children they look after.
Challenging policies and practice. When a local authority, trust or fostering service has policies or practice that are negatively impacting foster carers or the children in their care, it can be difficult for individuals to challenge. FCAs and support groups have an important role to play in highlighting where change is needed and offering solutions.
Working together. Foster carers are the experts on the ground. Therefore, FCAs and support groups are well placed to find solutions to problems and help their fostering services to implement them.