Missing children and young people
May 19, 2026
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The new framework for missing children and young people is a significant initiative aimed at ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in the care
About Fostering Hearts
Fostering Hearts: Committed to Changing Children’s Futures
Fostering Hearts is a family-run, independent fostering agency dedicated to supporting children in care to feel safe, valued and able to thrive. Our purpose is simple: to ensure every child placed with us has the stability, encouragement and opportunities they need to move forward positively.
We provide a comprehensive range of fostering services, working closely with Local Authority partners to carefully match children with approved foster carers who can meet their individual needs. Our experienced and committed team offers reliable, compassionate support to both the children in our care and the families who welcome them into their homes.
At the heart of Fostering Hearts is a belief that every child has strengths and potential, regardless of their early experiences. Our role is to create the right conditions for that potential to grow — through safe, nurturing homes, consistent support and meaningful relationships.
We recognise that entering foster care can be a significant and emotional transition for a child. That is why we prioritise thoughtful planning, ongoing communication and personalised support throughout every stage of the journey. No child should feel overlooked or forgotten, and we are dedicated to ensuring each young person receives the care, respect and opportunity they deserve.
By working together with our foster carers and partners, we aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of the children and young people we support.
Exploring the journey of becoming a foster carer is a significant decision and one that deserves careful thought. This guide will help you understand what fostering involves, who needs foster care, and how you can take the first step towards applying.
What is Fostering?
Fostering is about far more than providing a spare room. It means offering stability, reassurance and consistent support to a child who cannot live with their birth family. It’s about being a reliable presence during a crucial time in a young person’s life and helping them build confidence in their future. Our knowledge base provides clear, practical information and answers many of the common questions people have when first considering fostering.
Who Needs Fostering?
Children who need fostering come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Many are living within the very communities we serve. At Fostering Hearts, we work across several areas, including Northamptonshire and surrounding counties, where the need for foster carers continues to grow. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, you can book a call back and speak directly with a member of our team.
To gain a clearer understanding of the children and young people currently in need of foster families, visit our page on who needs fostering. It outlines the different types of placements and the range of needs foster carers may support.
How can you be part of fostering?
As an independent fostering agency based in the Home Counties and surrounding regions, we guide prospective carers through every stage of becoming approved. Our application process is thorough and supportive, ensuring that each approved foster carer is prepared to provide a safe and nurturing home.
Foster carers are trained and supported professionals. They receive a fostering fee to cover the costs associated with caring for a child and to recognise the commitment involved. You can find more information about financial support in our About Fostering – Finances & Money section.
"When I had more lingering questions about becoming a foster carer, the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website was a goldmine of information. Even now, I check it for updates." – Happy Foster Carer.
Becoming a foster carer requires stability, patience and emotional resilience, but it is also deeply rewarding. If you feel ready to explore what fostering could mean for you and your family, you can find out how to start fostering today.
```Financial Aspects of Fostering with Fostering Hearts
Choosing to become a foster carer is gratifying and fulfilling. It is also an important responsibility that comes with certain financial implications. At Fostering Hearts, we aim to alleviate financial worries so that you can focus primarily on providing a nurturing environment for the child in your care.
Foster carers with Fostering Hearts receive a weekly allowance as part of our commitment to supporting them in their fostering journey. This allowance is designed to cover all the costs related to the care of the child and to recognize the essential role that our foster carers play.
Foster Carer Allowances
Fostering Hearts is proud to honour the significant effort, time, and love invested by our foster carers with a generous weekly allowance. Our foster carer allowances for each age category are as follows:
- Children aged 0-9 years: £462 per week
- Children aged 11 years and above: £490 per week
This allowance is designed to cover the child’s expenses, including:
- Food and clothing
- School and extracurricular activities
- Travel costs
- Personal care items
- Pocket money
- Savings for the child
The allowance is also meant to acknowledge your dedication as a foster carer. It is not simply a reimbursement – it is recognition of the valuable contribution you make to both the child and society.
Relieving Financial Stress
The financial implication of fostering a child should not be a burden or stressful. Fostering Hearts ensures you have all the required resources, allowing you to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the child in your care.
Considering the most common questions we get concerning fostering finances, we hope this guide has demystified the process and made it clear, understandable and less daunting.
“At Fostering Hearts, we want foster parents to know that they’re not alone when it comes to raising a child in care. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to provide unwavering support and resources every step of the way, so they can ensure their foster children have the best future possible.”
Rahima Kadir, Registered Manager
About Our Agency
Fostering Hearts was born as an offshoot of our sister agency, Greater London Fostering. Why? Because we firmly believed that our carers (who weren’t London-based) deserved a highly-specialised, locally-focused agency that prioritises the unique needs and challenges of their area.
Since our formation in 2020, we have continued to grow and flourish. Presently, we support approximately 20 children and 15 families who are scattered across Southern England and the Midlands.
While our team is incredibly proud of our accomplishments, we are even more proud of our outstanding carers and the beautiful children they care for.
Our Promise To You
Financial Support
Our Allowances:
£462 Per Week (aged 0-10)
£490 Per Week (aged 11+)
£462 Per Week (aged 0-10)
£490 Per Week (aged 11+)
Respectful
We treat foster carers as central to the team, not an after thought. Our carers are always treated with the respect their positions deserve.
Dependable
We do what we say we'll do, when we say we'll do it! Our carers and our children know our word is out bond and they can depend on us.
Meet Our Fantastic Team
There are too many people to introduce you to everyone at Fostering Hearts, but it’s important you meet some of the key people.
Rahima Kadir
Registered Manager
Rahima has been part of the Positive Aspirations family for over 10 years, and during that time has grown and developed to where she is now, one of our managers.
Melanie Yearwood
Responsible Individual
Melanie joined Positive Aspirations more than 10 years ago, and now is the RI and operations manager for our 3 agencies.
Richard Norwood
Agency Director
Richard’s parents founded the group more than 25 years ago, and since 2020 he has been in over charge of the strategy and growth of the agencies.
Ahmez Acharaz
Finance Manager
Ahmez is a qualified accountant by training, and is responsible for all things finance in the group.
Words from Our Carers
“Fostering Hearts has provided me and my family with invaluable support in being a foster parent. With the constant encouragement, we have been able to provide a loving home for our foster child.”
28.02.21 Susan S 
“I was extremely hesitant about taking on fostering at first, but Fostering Hearts put us at ease by providing all the information and guidance we needed. They are an incredible resource for foster parents!”
12.06.22 Jenna L. 
"Fostering is one of the best decisions my husband and I have made in our lives – with the help of Fostering Hearts care and guidance we've been able to make a real difference in our foster child's life"
07.05.22 Dani G. 
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