Ofsted Good: what it means for our families
Our most recent Ofsted inspection. What inspectors said, what they highlighted, and what it means if you're considering fostering with…
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Therapeutic Fostering Across the Midlands & Beyond
Every child deserves a place to belong
Ofsted says children are at the centre of everything we do. A specialist therapeutic fostering agency using DDP and PACE. Supporting foster families across the Midlands, Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Manchester.
24/7
Support line, 365 days a year
DDP
Therapeutic approach
20+
Group therapy sessions per year
1:1
Therapy for families
Our Therapeutic Approach
Care rooted in PACE
Our therapeutic ethos is Dyadic Developmental Practice, created by Dr Dan Hughes. It builds deeper emotional connections between children and carers by drawing on what we know about attachment and developmental trauma. Carers are supported to channel a consistent parenting approach: Playful, Accepting, Curious, Empathetic.
Playful
Find humour in challenging situations and demonstrate secure attachments through role modelling.
Accepting
Embrace each child knowing they are more than their behaviours and trauma.
Curious
Wonder rather than judge. Curiosity builds trust and emotional development.
Empathetic
Understand and share feelings to nurture every interpersonal relationship.
Wrap-around support
We back you every step
Ofsted found that foster carers consistently report feeling well supported by the service. That's because we've built a support package that's there when you need it, not just during office hours.
Generous Allowance
Competitive fostering and short-break allowances in sterling that reflect the value of what you do. Plus a clear career structure from Level 1 to Level 2.
Embrace Each Other
Monthly therapeutic support groups led by our therapist. A safe space for carers to share experiences, get person-centred advice and build community through PACE.
Training Built Around You
A hybrid of online and face-to-face training tailored to your development. Mandatory courses, specialist subjects, and a 12-step induction for newly approved carers.
24/7 Advice Line
Day or night, weekday or Christmas Day. There's always someone on the end of the phone, 365 days a year. Plus weekly check-in calls between supervisions.
1:1 Therapeutic Support
Our in-house therapist works directly with foster carers and families. Timely, person-centred support with coping strategies rooted in DDP and PACE.
Foster Talk membership
Full Foster Talk membership included. Independent advice, legal support, insurance and specialist webinars, there whenever you need them.
The UK urgently needs more foster carers
Thousands of children are waiting for the right family. Could yours be the one?
81,770
children in care in England
54,820
of them living with foster families
5,000
more foster families needed in England in 2026
Children in care on 31 March 2025, from the Department for Education. Foster families needed in 2026, from The Fostering Network.
Becoming a Foster Carer
It's easier than you think
From your first enquiry to welcoming a child into your home, someone is alongside you. You'll never be working it out on your own.
A phone call 15 to 30 minutes
Who lives with you, whether you have a spare room, and what's drawing you to fostering. No pressure and no hard sell.
A visit at home Up to two hours
Usually a social worker and our registered manager. Everyone meets, and we look at whether fostering suits your home.
Your assessment Three to four months
A social worker writes your Form F with you, while your checks, references and Skills to Foster course run alongside.
Fostering panel One 90-minute meeting
A conversation with our independent panel rather than an interview. The final decision comes within seven working days.
Find the right fit for your family
We offer placements for children aged 0 to 18 across the Midlands, Yorkshire, Manchester, Staffordshire and Cheshire. There's no single way to foster.
Short breaks
Looking after children for regular breaks or holidays.
Short-term
Task-centred work with a clear purpose and duration.
Bridging
Caring as part of a planned move to adoption or permanence.
Long-term
A stable, loving home for a child or sibling group until they're ready for independence.
Sibling groups
Keeping brothers and sisters together so they don't lose each other as well.
Sanctuary seeking
Experienced carers supporting children who arrive in the UK without family.
Solo & enhanced
Dedicated one-to-one care for young people with complex needs.
Specialist fostering
For children with complex needs needing enhanced packages of support.
Staying put (18+)
Young people who've turned 18 can stay living with their foster family.
Rated Good by Ofsted“Children are at the centre of practice at Embrace Fostering. Staff and foster carers understand the family ethos of the agency and commit to it wholeheartedly.”
Read our full Ofsted report →Latest news
Stories & updates
Insights on therapeutic fostering, agency news and stories from our community.
Could you become a foster carer? Five things people get wrong
We hear the same misconceptions over and over. If you've ruled yourself out of fostering for one of these reasons,…
Read more about Could you become a foster carer? Five things people get wrong →
What is PACE? The therapeutic approach behind Embrace
Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy. The four pillars of how Embrace foster carers connect with children who have experienced trauma.
Read more about What is PACE? The therapeutic approach behind Embrace →
Ready to change a child's life?
Whether you're just thinking about it or ready to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you. No pressure, just a conversation.
Or contact Jeanette directly on 07534 696 331