Fostering Unaccompanied Children
Unaccompanied children are young people who arrive in the UK without a parent or trusted adult to care for them. Many have travelled long distances, faced uncertainty, or experienced difficult situations before reaching safety.
Fostering unaccompanied children is an opportunity to offer stability, kindness, and a sense of belonging at a time when they need it most. Your support can help them feel safe, rebuild their confidence, and look forward to a brighter future.
Who are unaccompanied children?
Unaccompanied children come from a wide range of countries, cultures, and backgrounds. They may have left home because of:
- Conflict or war
- Violence, persecution, or discrimination
- Poverty or instability
- Family separation during travel
- Trafficking or exploitation
- Natural disasters or unsafe living conditions
Every young person’s journey is different. Each child arrives with their own strengths, hopes, and experiences.
Why unaccompanied children need foster care
When unaccompanied children arrive in the UK, they need:
- A safe, stable home
- Adults they can trust
- Support to understand a new culture and language
- Help accessing education and healthcare
- Reassurance and emotional stability
Foster carers play a vital role in helping them settle, feel secure, and begin to rebuild their lives.
What fostering unaccompanied children involves
As a foster carer, you’ll provide:
- A warm, welcoming home
- Patience and understanding as they adjust to a new environment
- Support with learning English, if needed
- Help navigating school, routines, and community life
- Respect for their culture, identity, and beliefs
- Clear communication and consistent boundaries
- Collaboration with social workers, teachers, and specialist services
You don’t need to speak another language or have specialist qualifications. What matters is your willingness to learn,
listen, and offer steady support.
The strengths these young people bring
Many unaccompanied children show remarkable resilience. They often bring:
- Determination and independence
- Strong cultural identity
- A desire to learn and succeed
- Adaptability and resourcefulness
- Hope for a safer, brighter future
Your home can be the place where they feel seen, valued, and supported.
Support for foster carers
We provide comprehensive support to help you care confidently and safely, including:
- Specialist training on trauma, cultural awareness, and migration
- 24/7 support including an out of hours service
- Financial allowances to cover the cost of caring for a child
- Access to interpreters and cultural guidance
- Education and health support tailored to each child’s needs
- Peer networks where you can connect with other carers
You’ll never be expected to manage challenges alone.
Respecting culture, identity, and belonging
Unaccompanied children may be adjusting to a new country while holding onto their cultural identity. As a foster carer,
you can help them feel grounded by:
- Encouraging them to celebrate their traditions
- Supporting them to practise their faith
- Helping them stay connected to their language and heritage
- Creating space for them to share their experiences
- Offering reassurance as they navigate unfamiliar systems
Small acts of understanding can make a big difference.
Why fostering unaccompanied children matters
Your care can help a young person:
- Feel safe after a difficult journey
- Build trust with adults
- Access education and opportunities
- Develop confidence and independence
- Understand their rights and choices
- Feel part of a community
Fostering gives them the stability they need to begin healing and planning for their future.
Thinking about fostering unaccompanied children?
If you’re compassionate, patient, and open to learning about different cultures, fostering unaccompanied children could be a meaningful way to support young people in your community. Our team will guide you through the process and help you understand what to expect.
We are here to support you
If you have questions about fostering teenagers, our fostering team is ready to talk with you.