2nd September 2026

 

Your children have flown the nest – What’s next?

As your children become more independent and move into further education or work, you may find yourself with more time and considering new opportunities. Your experience as a parent could make a real, life-changing difference to a child or young person who needs a safe, loving and stable home where they can thrive.

Your experience matters

Parents understand how important it is for children and young people to feel safe, supported and cared for. If you’ve spent years creating a loving, secure home for your own children, you already have many of the skills and experiences that can make a difference to a child in foster care.

Now that your children are grown and living more independently, fostering could be a meaningful way to share the care, guidance and encouragement you’ve given your own family with a child who needs it.

Fostering as an empty nester

There are many benefits to fostering later in life. You can offer a child the security and warmth of the home where your own children grew up, while drawing on the invaluable skills you’ve developed as a parent.

You also have a unique perspective. You understand the challenges children face as they grow and develop, and can offer the patience, guidance and encouragement they need. Fostering also doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment. Everyone’s lifestyle is different and there are flexible options to fit everyone.

Flexible fostering options

Fostering isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are a range of options to suit different lifestyles and levels of availability.

Short breaks provide children and young people with a safe, welcoming home for a short period, giving their usual foster carer or family a much-needed break. This could be a weekend, a few weeks or part of a regular routine.

Emergency foster care describes out-of-hours foster carers who provide time-limited care at short notice. Emergency foster carers may be contacted late at night or over a weekend.

Supported Lodgings/STAY provides a safe and secure home for care-experienced young people aged 16–21. Hosts offer practical and emotional support, helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need to live independently.

Short breaks for children with disabilities provide overnight care in a family setting, giving parents and carers valuable time to rest and recharge. Foster carers are generally asked to provide a minimum of one or two overnight stays per month, although many choose to offer more regular support.

Could fostering be your next chapter?

Your children may have flown the nest, but that doesn’t mean your parenting journey has to end. Your experience, your home and your time could help give a child the stability, care and encouragement they need to flourish.

You have the power to change a child’s life, and in the process, your life could change in ways you never expected.

Be the difference a child needs. Become a foster carer today.

Call 0800 0720 137 or drop in to one of our twice monthly virtual fostering information sessions