Birth children valued
Your children matter. Birth children often form some of the strongest bonds with fostered children.
Their kindness and openness can make all the difference to a child feeling safe and included. Birth children are seen as active participants and key contributors in the fostering journey—not just bystanders.
How does GCC recognise and support the birth children of foster carers?
In Gloucestershire, birth children are not just “part of the household”—they are valued teammates in care. The fostering service works hard to ensure they are heard, supported, celebrated, and included at every stage of the journey.
- Their empathy, patience, and willingness to share their home and family are recognised as central to creating a stable and welcoming environment for fostered children.
- Birth children are involved in the assessment and preparation process, including a dedicated training session during Skills to Foster
- Social workers and support staff are trained to check in with birth children during visits, recognising that they may face challenges or have mixed emotions about fostering.
- A dedicated group for birth children called Kids for Kids (K4K) – this group allows birth children to meet others in similar situations and helps them feel connected, supported and appreciated. K4K operates a calendar of activities, events and fun times, as well as regular newsletters, gifts, and opportunities to celebrate their own achievements inside and outside the world of fostering.
