Mosaic Foster Care Foster Parent Survey 2026: What Our Foster Parents Told Us
No one fosters on their own. Foster parent is a role that demands a massive amount of energy from you and your family, often at the most challenging moments in a child’s life. That is why the support, consistency and reliability of your fostering agency is so incredibly important.
At Mosaic Foster Care, we believe the only way to truly understand how we are performing is to ask the people living it every day. Our annual foster parent survey gives us a clear picture of what is working, where we are making a difference and where we can continue to improve.
The results from the 2026 survey show a strong and consistent level of confidence in the support we provide, with foster parents highlighting trust, responsiveness and feeling valued as defining parts of their experience with Mosaic.
Foster parents feel confident they can rely on Mosaic Foster Care
One of the clearest messages from this year’s survey is that foster parents feel confident in the experience they are having with Mosaic.
When asked to respond to the statement, “I can rely on Mosaic Foster Care to do what they say they will do,” every respondent selected either agree or strongly agree, with three quarters choosing strongly agree.
Across all core measures, from overall satisfaction to trust in the organisation, responses were overwhelmingly positive.
Foster parents told us they feel able to rely on Mosaic to do what we say we will do, and that consistency is critical in a role where uncertainty can be part of everyday life.
For our Managing Director Greg De Smidt, that consistency is no accident.
He said: “Fostering can be unpredictable, but the support around you shouldn’t be. What matters to us is that our foster parents know, without hesitation, that when they need us, we will respond and we will follow through.
“That reliability is what allows them to focus on the child in their care.”
That sense of reliability underpins everything else. Without it, even the most experienced foster parents can feel exposed. With it, they are able to provide the stability children need to begin to recover and grow.
Foster parents feel heard, respected and treated as professionals
Feeling heard and respected as a foster parent is essential. In this year’s survey, almost three quarters of respondents strongly agreed that their views and experiences are valued and taken seriously by Mosaic.
That reflects a culture where foster parents are treated as key partners in the care of the child, not simply as part of a process.
Mosaic Foster Care Director Andre Palmer said: “We have always fundamentally believed that foster parents should be treated as professionals. They are the ones living the day-to-day reality of supporting a child, and their insight is invaluable.
“If they don’t feel listened to, then we are not doing our job properly.”
That partnership is what allows decisions to be made with clarity and confidence, particularly when situations become complex or emotionally demanding.
Fostering support that arrives when it’s needed – not just when it’s convenient
Foster parents also highlighted the responsiveness of the organisation as a key strength, with strong agreement that Mosaic responds in a timely and effective way when guidance is needed.
This is particularly significant given the nature of fostering. Challenges rarely arrive in a neat package between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday. Having access to support that is both quick and meaningful can make the difference between a situation stabilising or escalating.
This reflects Mosaic’s wider model of providing immediate, in-house therapeutic support, rather than leaving foster parents stuck for months on a waiting list for external services. It is a practical difference that is felt most clearly in the moments that matter.
Why foster parents choose to stay with Mosaic Foster Care year after year
One of the most telling results from the survey is foster parents’ intention to continue fostering with Mosaic over the next 12 months, with an overwhelming majority indicating they will carry on.
This is powerful proof of long-term satisfaction with Mosaic. Fostering is not a short-term commitment and the decision to continue is completely shaped by lived experience rather than what people expected it to be like before they start.
Read all about Tracey’s 15-Year Fostering Journey with Mosaic Foster Care by clicking here.
For many foster parents, it reflects a sense they are supported not just in the good moments but through the more difficult periods as well.
Greg added: “We know foster parents don’t make the decision to continue lightly. Their decision to continue comes from the experience of knowing what support is there when things are challenging and understanding whether the support around you is strong enough to help you through that.
“That’s what we focus on getting right. Get it wrong and that’s when people start looking around at their situation. So we were delighted with that response.”
What ‘outstanding’ fostering means in practice
The survey also asked foster parents what Mosaic’s recent Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating means to them.
The responses were telling. Words such as “highest standard”, “quality care” and “confidence” featured strongly, alongside comments about feeling part of an organisation that values both foster parents and the children they support.
One respondent wrote: “The ‘Outstanding’ rating reflects what I’ve experienced all along – consistent, high-quality care, professionalism and genuine support for both carers and the children we look after. It reassures me I’m part of an agency that is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes.”
Andre added: “An ‘Outstanding’ rating only matters if it reflects what people experience in reality. For us, it’s about the consistency of care, the strength of relationships and the outcomes for children. The feedback from our foster parents suggests those things are being felt, not just measured.”
Turning honest feedback into better support for every family
Alongside the positive feedback, the survey also provides valuable insight into where improvements can be made. This is a critical part of the process.
At Mosaic Foster Care, feedback is used to refine systems, strengthen communication and ensure support continues to evolve alongside the needs of foster parents and the children they care for.
What comes through most clearly from the 2026 survey is a good sense of alignment. Foster parents feel supported, listened to and confident in the organisation they are part of. They are getting what they want from us.
That alignment is what makes long-term fostering possible. It creates the conditions where children can experience stability, where foster parents feel able to continue and where relationships have the time and space to develop.
We are grateful to every foster parent who took the time to share their feedback. It helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can continue to improve.
If you are considering becoming a foster parent and want to understand what ‘Ofsted outstanding’ support really looks like in practice, we are always here to have an open and honest conversation.
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 foster parent survey
What did the Mosaic Foster Parent Survey 2026 find?
Our 2026 foster parent questionnaire gave us clear feedback, strong data and useful insights into the lived experience of fostering with us. The overall evaluation showed high levels of trust, satisfaction and confidence in our support, with foster carers highlighting reliability, responsiveness and feeling valued as defining parts of their experience at Mosaic.
Why does foster carer feedback matter in foster care?
At Mosaic, feedback matters because good foster care depends on more than process alone. The views, opinions and responses of our foster carers help us understand what is working for children, where support is strongest, and where improvement is needed. That kind of analysis helps us make better decisions for every family, every placement and every stage of the fostering journey.
How does Mosaic support foster carers when challenges happen?
We know challenges do not arrive at convenient times. That is why we focus on support that is timely, practical and meaningful. When you are caring for children with complex needs, quick guidance, therapeutic input and a reliable response can make the difference between a situation settling or escalating. Our aim is to help you feel supported when it matters most, not just when it suits the system.
What does Ofsted Outstanding mean in practice for foster carers?
Outstanding only matters if you actually feel it in day-to-day foster care. In practice, that means consistent care, strong relationships, professional respect, and support that helps you look after children with confidence. It should show up in your experience, the quality of our services, and the outcomes children achieve, not just in a report.
Why do foster carers stay with Mosaic year after year?
Foster carers usually continue when they feel supported through both the good moments and the difficult ones. Our survey showed that long-term satisfaction comes from knowing what support is there when challenges arise and feeling confident that the people around you will follow through. That sense of stability is a big part of why foster carers choose to stay with us.
How does strong fostering support help children and placements stay stable?
When you feel supported, children benefit too. Strong support helps create calmer homes, more confident care and better placement outcomes over time. It gives children the safety, stability and family environment they need to recover, build trust and grow. It also gives foster carers the reassurance and practical assistance they need to keep going when fostering feels demanding.
What kind of support does Mosaic provide beyond basic fostering services?
Alongside everyday guidance, we offer in-house therapeutic support, ongoing training, reflective support, practical resources and a wider community around you. We know good foster care is not built on goodwill alone. It needs proper services, strong relationships and the kind of backup that supports your wellbeing as well as the child’s.
Why does Mosaic treat foster carers as professionals?
We treat foster carers as professionals because you are the person living the day-to-day reality of supporting a child. Your experience, assessment and insight matter. When you feel heard and respected, decisions can be made with more clarity, confidence and care. That professional partnership is a big part of how we work at Mosaic.
How does Mosaic use survey feedback to improve foster care?
We use survey feedback as part of ongoing assessment, reflection and improvement. We look at the findings, the responses, the patterns in the data and the wider insights behind them, then use that information to strengthen communication, refine systems and improve support for foster carers, children and families. Honest feedback helps us keep evolving rather than standing still.
How can a foster parent survey help you choose the right fostering agency?
If you are comparing fostering agencies, a foster parent survey gives you a clearer picture of what support looks like in real life. It shows you what foster carers value, what they find challenging, and why many choose to continue with us. If you are exploring foster care, adoption or guardianship, this kind of feedback can help you judge where you are most likely to feel supported, respected and able to thrive.
About Mosaic Foster Care
Mosaic Foster Care is an independent fostering agency providing Ofsted Outstanding rated therapeutic foster care across Essex, Suffolk, Bedfordshire including Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, North Kent, Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.
Our mission is to ensure every child in our care thrives in a stable, nurturing home. We achieve this by providing long-term foster placements and by carefully matching children and foster parents. We keep caseloads small and embed in-house professionally delivered therapy and youth support into everyday practice – so no child is ever left waiting for the critical support they need. Foster parents receive more than £700 per week after training and benefit from ongoing professional development, and a community that truly understands the rewards and challenges of fostering.