Supporting a Foster Child from a Different Cultural Background
Culture has a huge impact on who children and young people are, from the food they grow up with and the holidays they celebrate to the language they speak at home. For foster children, whether their cultural background is acknowledged and respected can make the difference between feeling like a guest in their foster parent’s home or feeling like part of the family.
In recent years, the percentage of looked-after children from black, mixed and other ethnic groups went up from 22% to 23%, and the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (ASGLB) has made ending racial disparity in adoption one of its main priorities. Cultural awareness within fostering is more important than ever, and as a foster family, you can make a big difference. By embracing and celebrating a child’s identity, you not only help them feel welcome but also provide the stability and sense of belonging they deserve.
At Diversity Foster Care, our services embrace all cultures and we believe every child should feel valued for who they are. We support foster carers across Kent to provide loving, stable homes for children from all walks of life. We know first-hand that with the right approach to cultural differences, foster children will settle more quickly and grow with confidence.
The Importance of Cultural Awareness in Foster Care
When a child enters foster care, they are often experiencing a period of significant change and feeling lost or uncertain. For children from black, Asian, ethnic minority or dual-heritage backgrounds, being placed with foster parents from different cultural backgrounds can be unsettling and make the transition feel more daunting.
Simply taking the time to learn about a foster child’s cultural background and showing a genuine interest can make a big difference. It can help:
- Build trust between foster children and families
- Foster children settle more quickly
- Promote self-esteem and pride in a foster child’s identity
- Encourage a sense of belonging
- Prevent feelings of isolation
As an independent foster agency, we encourage foster carers to embrace cultural learning as part of their day-to-day fostering journey. When you approach cultural differences with curiosity and respect, it helps foster children feel seen for who they truly are.
Practical Ways to Support a Child from a Different Background
Supporting a foster child from a different cultural background is more straightforward than you might think. Small, thoughtful actions or comments can often mean the most. Some simple yet impactful ways foster carers can celebrate differences and create a sense of belonging include:
- Share Food and Meals Together
Food often plays an important role in culture and is linked to memories of home. Asking about a child’s favourite meals, learning how to cook familiar dishes and enjoying food together can instantly help them feel more at home. Even asking them to teach you how to cook certain foods from their background shows you value their heritage and could be a great bonding experience.
- Learn and Respect Traditions
Every culture has meaningful traditions, from celebrating religious holidays to observing important family customs. Showing interest and helping foster children prepare for special events will help them stay connected to their roots. These family traditions can offer a sense of security in a challenging time too. You may find that local community groups run events that carers and children can attend together, so you don’t need to be an expert.
- Embrace Different Languages
If a foster child speaks another language, encouraging them to use it alongside English can help protect an important part of their identity. Simply learning a few words in their native language can mean a lot to them too. This gesture shows a commitment to helping them stay connected to their roots. You might find it helpful to use bilingual storybooks or music to make language learning fun at home.
- Representation Matters
When a child can see their culture being represented in everyday life, it can be really beneficial. From books to TV shows, showcasing their culture at home can help remind a child that they belong. You can also attend cultural events or community groups to connect with people from a similar cultural background to help foster children feel less isolated.
- Ask Questions, Don’t Assume
Every foster child is different. Even if you have experience fostering from a certain background, you should ask open-ended questions to make sure everyone is on the same page. Whether it’s “Would you like us to cook some of the foods you used to enjoy?” or “Are there special ways your family celebrated birthdays or holidays?”These questions can approach differences respectfully and invite children to open up without any pressure.
How Cultural Awareness Helps Children Settle More Quickly
Fostering is about more than just providing a safe home for children and young people, it’s about helping them feel valued, understood and supported. When foster carers celebrate a child’s background, they create a sense of belonging in an environment that’s completely new and often very daunting. This can help to reduce anxiety, build confidence and create a good foundation for healthy development whilst in your care.
At Diversity Foster Care, we offer training programmes that anticipate the needs of foster carers. Based on the Secure Base therapeutic model, this training helps foster carers build the confidence and resilience of the children placed in their care. Cultural sensitivity is a huge part of this training too, and we support carers to meet the unique needs of their foster children. Our training and workshops are backed by 24/7 guidance from qualified social workers, so if you ever have any questions, there’s always someone on hand to help.
Fostering with Diversity Foster Care
Ultimately, supporting a foster child from a different cultural background isn’t just about keeping their traditions alive; it’s about helping them grow into confident adults who are proud of their heritage. By providing a stable and nurturing environment where differences are celebrated, foster carers play an important part in shaping a child’s future, which is incredibly rewarding.
If you’re considering foster care in Kent and you’d like to find out more about fostering services, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Diversity Foster Care. As an established, trusted foster care agency, we are committed to keeping children and young people safe, and supporting foster carers to provide secure, loving and stable foster homes.
We welcome carers from all walks of life, regardless of your race, gender, ethnicity, culture or religion, as our children are as unique as you are, and you can play a role in making them feel valued for who they are.