Radical with Amol Rajan What Does It Take To Be A Foster Carer? (Your Radical Questions with Louise Allen)
Jan 26, 2026
Louise Allen, raised in care and now an author and advocate, speaks from lived experience about fostering and kinship care. She discusses navigating a struggling system and the small but transformative rewards of caring for children. She debates a proposal to fund home extensions for foster families and argues for better pay, support, and respect for carers.
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Slow Down And Learn The Child
- Go slow and learn the child before reacting to behaviours or decisions.
- Don’t take challenging behaviour personally and focus on small, therapeutic wins.
System, Not Children, Is The Main Strain
- The real challenge in fostering is the crumbling system, not the children.
- Children are described as 'magical' and reveal their needs once you learn their stories.
Move Funding To Support Families
- Redirect funding away from expensive private residential care back to where children live.
- Invest in proper education for foster carers and confident social workers to improve outcomes.