Support that actually supports

An emergency telephone line that's always answered. Christmas Day, 3am on a Tuesday, school holidays. Whenever something happens, you can reach someone who knows you and your family.

In between supervisions, we also call you. Weekly telephone support keeps the conversation going so issues don't build up.

Every carer has a dedicated supervising social worker who coordinates your support and supervision. They know you, your family, and the children in your care.

• Supervision visits every 4 to 6 weeks
• Co-carers seen at minimum every 3 months
• Unannounced visits twice yearly
• Attendance at professionals' meetings

Monthly therapeutic support groups led by our in-house therapist. Person-centred advice in a community of like-minded carers. Share victories. Discuss challenges. Build relationships rooted in the same PACE values we use with children.

The group itself is reflective of the model of care: Playful, Accepting, Curious, Empathic. Embrace fostering encourages carers to attend at least three Embrace Each Other sessions annually.

Our in-house therapist offers tailor-made support to foster carers on request. The therapist works closely with both carers and supervising social workers to provide responsive coping strategies for the challenges of fostering.

We're always looking at the latest therapeutic research and applying it to practice, then disseminating it to carers so the support keeps evolving.

Every Embrace foster carer receives full membership to Foster Talk, which provides independent advice and support on practice, legal and financial matters, plus benefits including legal expenses, insurance and advocacy.

Fostering can be tiring, and empathy fatigue is real. Short Breaks can be agreed to support carers (subject to availability and Local Authority agreement), or you can use your own support network. We know it reduces fatigue and lets the whole household recharge.

Babysitters and informal support people are checked in line with current legislation so you can rest knowing your child is safe.

Two annual fun days. Seasonal parties. Consultation days where your voice shapes how the agency runs. Quarterly newsletters. Plus the Embrace Each Other mentor and buddy system that pairs experienced carers with new ones.

Informal get-togethers where foster carers support each other. A chance to offload, share stories, celebrate successes and offer encouragement to other carers walking the same road. You're part of the Embrace team, never in this on your own.

Groups follow the DDP and PACE model, so the time builds your resilience and develops new skills alongside firm, lasting friendships. It's also a chance to raise anything you'd like to see change at Embrace.

Every carer receives our Resource Booklet as part of the support package. It's an easy-to-access guide to the policies and information you need: the resources available to you, what to do in specific circumstances, and where to turn for help.

We keep it up to date so you always have current information to hand for achieving the best outcomes for your foster children.

Daily recordings are part of fostering, so we keep them simple. We use CHARMS, a secure online case recording system, for the day-to-day notes about your foster child: a bump or graze, how the school day went, or anything your social worker should know about.

Your supervising social worker sees updates as you make them and will support you in using the system. The aim is to keep recording minimal so you can get on with family life. More about CHARMS.