Fostering Teenagers Real Stories
Teenagers are often dismissed as being too difficult. People assume they will come with attitude, crime, or anti-social behaviour.
It’s true that they might have challenges — but to assume those challenges are greater than caring for a baby, toddler, or younger child is widely misplaced. Don’t expect the worst.
Teenagers need someone to have their back. Someone who notices if they’re late, checks in, and wants them to do well — especially if they’ve been let down by adults before.
Why fostering teenagers can be life-changing
Teenagers are rewarding, energetic, and often thoughtful.
They need a consistent, calm environment to guide them to making better decisions, to help them reach their potential, and to become the adults you know they could be.
When you see them become those adults, you realise you did something extraordinary by taking that chance.
A moment in Tesco that said it all
“I was shopping at Tesco’s and became aware of a very tall young man in his twenties bending down to pacify a young girl… He recognised me and said, ‘do you remember me — you fostered me for two months when I was fifteen.’
He told me he was working, married, and feeling good about his life. Then he said the eight weeks he spent with my family were probably the best eight weeks of his childhood. Being a foster carer can, at moments like this, be the best job in the world.”
What helps teenagers thrive
Respect and privacy alongside clear boundaries
Calm consistency (the same message, the same follow-through)
Listening first, problem-solving second
Encouragement around education, friends and interests
Support with emotional regulation and safe independence
Common questions about fostering teenagers
Will I be supported if behaviour feels challenging?
Yes — you’ll have a supervising social worker, access to training, and support you can call on when you need it.Do teenagers still want family life?
Many do — even if it takes time to trust and settle.Can I foster teenagers if I work?
Some carers do, as long as work is flexible enough to attend meetings, training and appointments.
Interested in fostering teenagers?
If you think your home could offer a teenager stability, encouragement and a fresh start, we’d love to talk.
Therapeutic fostering: https://homefindingandfostering.co.uk/therapeutic-fostering Support for carers: https://homefindingandfostering.co.uk/support-for-foster-carers
Get in touch Phone: 01622 765646 Email: duty@homefindingandfostering.co.uk Or use our contact form: https://homefindingandfostering.co.uk/contact-us
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