Keep Calm and Carry a Torch: What the New "Be Ready" Campaign Means for Foster Carers

Let’s take a breath: nobody needs a fallout shelter in the back garden.

This three-year initiative is simply about everyday common sense. Other European neighbours like France, Ireland, and the Netherlands have had similar guidance in place for years. Just as we routinely pop a blanket and de-icer in the car before winter or keep a spare loaf of bread in the freezer when snow is forecast, the campaign is simply about taking a few affordable steps so your home runs smoothly if an unexpected hiccup occurs.

The Three-Day Rule of Thumb

The core of the campaign asks households to consider a simple question: Could your home manage comfortably for up to 72 hours if the power blipped, the water cut off, or the local broadband decided to take an unscheduled nap?

For a busy household with children, three days without power or Wi-Fi can feel daunting, but being ready doesn’t take a huge overhaul. Here is the realistic, low-fuss checklist:

• Hydration on hand: A modest stash of bottled drinking water tucked away under the stairs or in the pantry.

• Familiar cupboard staples: A few days’ worth of non-perishable food that your family actually eats (no need to buy powdered army rations; baked beans, pasta, and tinned soup do the job nicely).

• Medication sorted: Ensuring repeat prescriptions and essential medications aren’t left until the very last tablet.

• Charged tech: A portable power bank kept topped up to keep mobile phones alive during a power cut.

• Light the way: A reliable torch and a fresh pack of batteries (saving your phone battery for essential calls).

• A little cash tucked away: A small amount of physical cash at home, just in case a local outage takes card machines and ATMs offline.

An Extra Safety Net: The Priority Services Register (PSR)

One of the most valuable aspects of the initiative is reminding eligible homes about the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The PSR is completely free and run across UK energy, gas, and water networks. It flags your household to utility suppliers so that if there’s a local cut, you receive advance notices, emergency bottled water deliveries, or priority reconnection.

Many fostering households qualify automatically. You’re likely eligible if you have:

• A child under five living with you.

• A child or young person with additional needs or disabilities.

• Anyone in the home with chronic health conditions or medical equipment requiring power.

Signing up takes just a few minutes directly through your energy and water providers, or via the central portal at The PSR

You’re Already Experts in Resilience

If anyone understands the value of stability and staying calm under pressure, it’s foster carers. Day in and day out, you guide children through unexpected changes, create safety out of uncertainty, and model confidence when plans shift.

Emergency readiness is no different. Having an extra pack of batteries and a few spare tins in the cupboard isn't about bracing for catastrophe—it's about making sure that if the lights flicker out during a winter storm, the evening becomes a fun, board-game-by-candlelight adventure rather than a stressful scramble.

Providing a Safe Harbour: Could You Foster?

Creating a calm, warm, and prepared home isn't just helpful during a power cut—it's the very foundation of fostering. Every single day, children and young people across our communities need a secure place to land, surrounded by adults who can offer guidance, patience, and reassurance when their world feels upside down.

Our Homefinding team is dedicated to matching vulnerable children with caring foster families who can give them the stability and encouragement they need to thrive. Whether you have a spare room and are considering fostering for the first time, or you're an experienced carer looking to transfer, you don't need superpowers—just compassion, resilience, and an open heart.

If you’ve ever thought about opening your home to a child who needs it, our friendly Homefinding team would love to chat with you. Get in touch today to find out more about the training, 24/7 support, and generous allowances available, and take the first step on an incredible journey.