Foster carers play a vital role in providing stability and care for children, yet many can feel underprepared when a young person with special educational needs (SEN) is placed with them at short notice.
Through regular conversations with families and carers, Fledglings has identified a recurring challenge: foster carers are often given very little time or guidance on what practical support might help a child settle, particularly where communication, sensory needs or routine are involved.
Many children entering foster care have additional needs, and the first few days of a placement can be especially overwhelming. Unfamiliar environments, new routines and heightened emotions can lead to increased anxiety and uncertainty for both the child and the carer.
This Foster Care Fortnight, May 11th-24th, Fledglings has developed a new range of Foster Care SEN Starter Kits, designed to provide immediate, practical support from the very first day.
A practical starting point for early support
Each kit brings a carefully selected range of products that work together to support children in the early stages of placement. The focus is on real-life usability, ensuring everything included can be used straight away, without the need for specialist knowledge or lengthy preparation.
The kits are designed to help children understand what is happening, reduce anxiety and uncertainty, and introduce a sense of structure and routine. They also support emotional regulation, helping children feel calmer and more secure in a new environment.
Alongside the physical items, each kit includes a digital support pack offering clear guidance for carers. This reflects Fledglings’ approach of combining practical products with accessible advice that can be applied immediately in everyday situations.
A flexible approach to meet individual needs
Recognising that every child and placement is different, the range has been structured into three tiers:
- Essential: Simple tools for immediate reassurance and basic communication
- Core: Adds structured visual support to help build routine and understanding
- Enhanced: Includes additional regulation support for children who may need help managing anxiety or restlessness
This tiered approach allows foster carers, local authorities and fostering organisations to choose the level of support that best suits each individual child and situation.
While not intended as a one-size-fits-all solution, the kits offer a valuable starting point, helping carers feel more confident and better equipped during those crucial early days. They also provide a scalable, ready-made solution for organisations supporting multiple placements.
Lisa Spann, Managing Director at Fledglings, said: “We regularly hear from foster carers who want to provide the best possible support, but feel unsure where to start, particularly when a child has additional needs and arrives with little notice. Those first few days are so important in helping a child feel safe and settled.
“These kits have been created to offer something practical and immediate. They are not about overwhelming carers with theory, but about giving them simple tools they can use straight away to support communication, reduce anxiety and begin to establish routine. Our aim is to help both carers and children feel more supported from the very beginning.”
Learn more about the kits and the support available here. Foster carers, organisations and local authorities can explore the full range of kits here: https://www.fledglings.org.uk/collections/foster-care-sen-starter-kits
