22nd December 2025
We are still seeking a long-term foster home for Ben* within the South Eastern area.
Ben is a four-year-old boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. Sadly, Ben has had a very difficult start in life including being severely neglected and has experienced multiple moves. These changes and the lack of consistent care have understandably been unsettling for him, leading to some behavioural needs. Ben is currently awaiting assessment for ASD. Until recently Ben did not use words but has started to say ‘yeah’ and ‘mama’ and it is hoped that his speech will continue to develop. He also communicates through making sounds and leading adults by the hand to let them know what he wants.
Ben is a very energetic little boy who loves to play. His favourite activities include swimming and water play, the park, the beach, soft play and toddler gymnastics. He really enjoys exploring the world around him but needs close supervision as he doesn’t yet understand danger.
Ben is very tactile and affectionate, thriving on hugs and one-to-one attention. He likes watching TV programmes like Sesame Street and Koala Moon Bedtime Stories. He has recently developed an interest in books and loves to have his favourites read to him on the sofa. He is especially keen on alphabet and number books.
Ben is very settled in his nursery, which he attends for 2.5 hours every afternoon. He loves his teacher and classroom assistant and has made great progress in learning how to interact with other children.
Ben is thriving with his current carers who, unfortunately, are not able to be his long-term foster carers. He has a settled bedtime routine and sleeps well through the night most nights. He loves a soft blanket in bed rather than a quilt and also likes to wrap himself in it when having story time on the sofa.
Ideally, Ben would be best suited to living in a household with two foster carers where he is the only child or with older children who understand his needs. Although he has faced a difficult start in life, he is a sweet and very affectionate little boy who will really benefit from a period of stability. He will thrive with love, patience, and consistency.
The Trust will provide wraparound support to Ben’s foster carers which will include:
- A specialist fee in addition to regular fostering allowances
- Regular short breaks
- Therapeutic support from South Eastern Trust’s Scaffold service
- Access to a wide variety of trauma informed training which will support you in providing therapeutic care to Ben
- Support from a supervising social worker
- Outreach support
Get in touch with us to find out more about caring for Ben:
Call 0800 0720 137 or complete an online enquiry form
*name changed and stock image used to protect child’s identity