Fostering New Futures
Our mission is to bring together loving foster families and children who need a home.
There is more than one way to offer a home and experience of family life to children. Both fostering and adoption make it possible to have a family and build lasting relationships with children and young people.
At Coram, we provide resources to professionals as well as support those looking to foster. From professional forums and journals to free online advice and training for prospective foster carers, there is help available for every stage of the fostering journey.
We also support fostering hubs, agencies, carers and professionals in advocating the sufficiency and quality of foster care across the UK.
Message from Josh Macalister, MP
Children’s minister Josh Macalister MP recorded this message for Coram’s House of Lords event on 15th October 2026 celebrating foster care and supporting the government’s new foster carer recruitment campaign
For fostering social workers and other sector professionals
CoramBAAF is the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working across fostering, adoption and kinship care. We offer the following services:
- Our members Advice Line on 0300 222 5775 (Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm)
- Available practice notes, briefings, assessment and review forms
- Forums hosted to exchange ideas and good practice across sector
- A full calendar of CPD events including conferences to inform and inspire
- Books and guides to support your work including new publications on Fostering Panels and best practice in recruitment
Join our Fostering Recruitment Forum
The forum will be community of practice combining consumer trends, regional propensity analysis and marketing expertise. There will also be access to additional tools and resources to build enquiries, conversion and sufficiency. Please complete our contact form using the button below if you would be interesting in joining.
London Forum: December 2026 Manchester Forum: January 2027
For foster carers and those considering fostering
- Free advice website full of useful content about becoming a foster carer and the different types of fostering at first4fostering.org.uk
- Free online courses and training available through First Steps at first4fostering.org.uk/firststeps
- Objects and their Stories training on building connections and exploring identity
- Books and guides available for both foster carers and children, to help you feel more confident in your role as a foster carer in the CoramBAAF bookshop
Fostering Innovation for service and policy leaders
We specialise in data analysis, design thinking and innovation programmes through the Coram Fostering Innovation Hub.
Research for policy and practice
The Coram Institute for Children is the only Independent Research Organisation dedicated to children and young people.
Our latest resource is Unlocking Fostering Potential – a new study on the nature and distribution of the propensity of the public to consider fostering.
Policy and service development
- Bright Spots Local surveys – delivery of My Life in Care and My Life Beyond Care surveys co-delivered with peer researchers
- Bright Spots Practice Bank – examples of service improvements and developments
- A National Voice – the National Children in Care Council enabling young people to co-design and develop services
- Care experienced consultants – providing training and support to service development
Fostering Connections
- Fostering Activity Days – regionally delivered opportunities for foster carers who are between placements to meet children and young people in need of support
- Sibling Time – locally delivered events in a fun, supportive, therapeutic and safe environment for children who are looked after or adopted to have meaningful contact with their siblings
- Family finding for long-term foster care toolkit – a free toolkit designed to support agency policies and offer a set of helpful resources that can be used individually or collectively throughout the family finding process
- Fostering Connections – evidence-based training for social workers in how to secure and develop enduring relationships for children in care
Keep an eye on this page for information about all our latest fostering events.