We don’t wait for problems to get worse - we show up now
Whether it’s a 3am crisis, a paperwork query, or a child’s behaviour that suddenly feels overwhelming, foster parents need answers, not to be left hanging around. And too often, you can be left chasing your tail, wondering…
- Who do I call?
- When will someone get back to me?
- Am I overreacting or underprepared?
At Mosaic, we’ve built a support system that kicks into action as soon as you need it, not weeks after a challenge arises.
That means:
- A real person to talk through your challenges at any time of day
- Fast answers on finances, training, or next steps
- Therapeutic support that’s activated within hours, so you’re never left on a waiting list
Without the right professional team by your side when you need it, fostering quickly becomes physically exhausting and emotionally draining. In fact, a lack of support is one of the most common reasons people stop fostering. That’s why Mosaic Foster Care makes sure we’re always there for our foster parents - all day, every. Read on to find out the different ways our foster parents are supported.
Support that wraps around your whole family
Fostering isn’t something you should have to figure out alone. That’s why our support comes from every angle, so you’re held, heard, and helped at every stage.
Therapist-led support when emotions run high
Every foster family at Mosaic is allocated a dedicated therapist and supervising social worker. We respond rapidly when challenges arise – usually within hours – so you’re never left guessing how to cope.
Hands-on help from our support workers
Every child is assigned a youth worker (like a support worker) who steps in when needed. From helping with school transitions, accompanying the child to social events and providing a listening ear, they provide vital practical help that gives everyone breathing space.
Reflective groups to help you stay steady
Fostering changes life for everyone, not just you. That’s why we offer therapeutic input, reflective sessions and practical support for the whole household, including birth children and partners. No one gets left out.
Mosaic is an Ofsted Outstanding Fostering Agency
- where ordinary people are empowered to make an extraordinary difference.
The support we offer – financial, emotional and practical
We believe the support package we offer to our foster parents is second to none. From worries over the placement process to stringent safeguarding procedures, you’ll never feel like there’s no-one to turn to for help.
Therapeutic care – for both you and the child
Every foster parent at Mosaic is supported by our in-house therapy team from day one. You’ll have access to your own dedicated therapist to help you make sense of behaviours, strengthen your relationship with your foster child and build strategies that work in real life, not just on paper.
Our therapeutic input is fast, practical and personalised, often provided within hours when challenges arise. And where needed, we extend support to your birth children or partner too, helping your whole family feel understood and equipped. Our therapeutic model of practice is delivered through the SMILE programme.
Youth workers – trusted adults just for the child
At Mosaic, we assign youth workers (also known as support workers) to many of the children in our care, not as babysitters, but as skilled, consistent adults who help children thrive.
Each youth worker supports just five children at a time. Their role is carefully planned around each child’s needs, and might involve:
- Building social skills or confidence through fun, consistent sessions
- Practising life skills like shopping, travel or managing money
- Offering a safe, trusted space to talk and process feelings
- Supporting physical development and coordination through activity
They also give our foster parents vital breathing space. While your child is out with their youth worker, you have protected time to rest, regroup, or focus on your family - knowing your foster child is in safe, nurturing hands.
Youth worker support is reviewed every six weeks and forms part of each child’s wider therapeutic plan - which is what makes this one of Mosaic’s most impactful services. It’s one that many other agencies simply don’t offer.
Peer support – real connection with people who understand
Fostering can feel isolating at times - especially when you’re dealing with something that friends or family haven’t experienced themselves. That’s why we make sure you’re connected to other Mosaic foster parents who truly understand the emotional and practical realities of the role. From day one, you’ll have opportunities to build supportive relationships with others at different stages of their fostering journey. These connections are highly valuable. We offer:
- Regular reflective practice groups with other foster parents
- Informal local networks and group meet-ups
- Ongoing peer connections via phone or group chat
- Opportunities to learn from more experienced foster parents
You won’t just be supported by professionals, you’ll be part of a wider community of people just like you that shares the same challenges, questions and commitment to making things work.
Comprehensive assessments – everyone around the table, working together
Understanding a child’s needs isn’t something a foster parent should have to figure out alone. At Mosaic, we carry out in-depth assessments that bring together every professional involved in the child’s life - from social workers and therapists to teachers and youth workers. You’re a vital part of that process too. Through shared dialogue, we explore:
- What’s going well - and what might be getting in the way
- The child’s strengths, needs and patterns of behaviour
- What’s required to help the child feel safe, regulated and supported
These assessments are about building a shared understanding, so everyone is pulling in the same direction - and you never feel like you’re holding all the pieces on your own.
Reflective practice groups – space to process, offload and grow
Fostering is rewarding, but can also be emotionally demanding. That’s why we offer regular reflective practice groups for every Mosaic foster parent, led by our in-house therapy team. These are safe, structured spaces where you can:
- Talk openly about what’s gone well, and what’s been tough
- Hear from others working their way through similar challenges
- Build your resilience and confidence with expert guidance
- Feel seen and supported by people who truly understand fostering
Reflective practice sessions help give you the emotional headspace to keep showing up, especially when things feel overwhelming. Every foster parent deserves that kind of support, and at Mosaic, it’s built into our way of working.
Safeguarding reviews – making sure everyone feels safe and supported
Every three months, we bring key people together to review how things are going - for the child in your care, and for you as their foster parent. These safeguarding reviews are about more than protocols. They’re a chance to pause, reflect and check that:
- The child feels safe at home, in school and in the community
- You feel supported and heard in your role
- Therapy, youth work and support plans are still on track
- Any concerns are picked up early - and acted on quickly
You’ll never be left to raise issues on your own or wait months for change. These reviews keep the whole team aligned and ensure the child’s wellbeing - and yours - are always the priority.
Financial support – fair pay that reflects the role you take on
Fostering is a professional role that demands time, energy and emotional resilience - and you deserve to be paid accordingly. At Mosaic, we offer a generous weekly allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child, plus a professional fee that reflects your commitment and skill.
We provide:
- Weekly payments of at least £700 after completing initial training
- Additional pay for each child in your care
- Three weeks of paid supportive care (respite) each year
- Guidance on how to manage expenses to support the child’s wellbeing
- Increased payments linked to experience and ongoing training
Our payments are designed to be sustainable, transparent and easy to understand. And unlike some agencies, we never deduct money for therapy, training or additional support - because your focus should be on the child, not the paperwork.
Our proven three-step process ensures every foster family gets the right support at the right time:
Step 1: Honest Exploration
Step 2: Immediate, Tailored Support
Step 3: Growing Together for the Long-Term
Our support starts on day one – and is always by your side
At Mosaic Foster Care, we don’t train you once and leave you to it. We offer personalised, practical training that evolves alongside you and the child in your care. Unlike other fostering agencies, every element of training is completely free of charge to you.
Induction before approval: You’ll start with Skills to Foster, our engaging foundation course that includes a dedicated session on Mosaic’s therapeutic approach.
Induction post approval: You’ll take part in a structured practical induction covering key areas like safeguarding, IT, and working with your supervising social worker, alongside other new foster parents.
Ongoing tailored training: We provide a robust, face-to-face programme designed to meet and exceed the National Minimum Standards, including our 6-week SMILE Programme, a therapeutic model led by our in-house team. Online options are available to suit your schedule. For more detail on training and development at Mosaic, explore our training page.
Helping Answer Your Questions
Here are a few of the questions we get the most. If you don't see what's on your mind, reach out to us anytime by phone, chat, or email.
What should I look for in a fostering agency?
Look for a fostering agency that offers more than just placements and mandatory support. You need responsive, therapeutic support, comprehensive training and a focus on long-term success for both your foster child and your wider family.
How quickly will I receive support if something goes wrong?
Is training included before and after I’m approved?
What is the SMILE therapeutic model?
How does Mosaic handle the matching process?
Does Mosaic offer support for birth children too?
How much are foster parents paid?
Will I have to care for multiple children at once?
What happens if I need a break?
What makes Mosaic different from other fostering agencies?
Fostering Finances Uncovered: How Much Do You REALLY Get Paid as a Foster Parent?
Worried about financial security as a foster parent? You're not alone. Our guide cuts through the confusion surrounding fostering allowances, hidden deductions, and unpredictable income gaps. Find out exactly what foster carers are paid, how your choice of agency drastically affects your financial stability, and how to protect your income, even between placements. Download now and get clear, straightforward answers to secure your financial peace of mind, letting you focus on what matters most: Caring for your foster child.