Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children in Care

When we talk about children’s emotional wellbeing, it’s easy to think about big interventions or specialist support. But for many children, especially those in foster care, emotional wellbeing is built in much quieter ways. It grows through everyday moments, the ordinary routines, and the steady presence of someone who shows up, day after day.

Empower is a team of therapeutic intervention workers who support children and families to maintain stability, strengthen relationships and, where possible, support children to return safely to their families. They work with fostering families, kinship carers and birth families, helping everyone involved to better understand attachment, relationships and the impact of early life experiences on behaviour.

Their direct work focuses on helping families stay together and supporting carers to use therapeutic parenting approaches in everyday life. It’s about understanding behaviour through a trauma-informed lens and responding with care, consistency and patience.

Because emotional wellbeing isn’t built in one big moment. It’s found in routines, reassurance, and knowing there is someone there, consistently, no matter the day. For children in foster care, those small, everyday moments can make all the difference.

Belonging comes before everything else

Emotional wellbeing begins with feeling like they belong. Many children in care have experienced different changes. To open up in their new home, they need to know that the adults around them are reliable and predictable.

Simple things help create that sense of belonging, as well as supporting a child’s wellbeing:

• Clear routines and gentle boundaries

• Knowing what the day will look like

• Familiar faces and calm responses

• Being reassured that feelings are okay, even the difficult ones

Over time, this consistency helps children feel secure enough to be themselves.

Listening without pressure

Children don’t always have the words to explain how they feel, and sometimes they don’t want to talk at all.

Before children can share how they are feeling, they need to feel safe enough to do so. Emotional openness doesn’t come from being asked the right questions at the right time, but from knowing they won’t be rushed, judged or pushed to explain themselves. Creating that sense of safety often starts with how we listen, not just with what we say.

Helping children manage big feelings

Children in foster care may experience strong emotions, from anxiety and sadness to anger and frustration. Foster carers play a key role in helping children understand and manage these feelings.

This might include:

• Naming emotions and normalising them

• Modelling calm responses during difficult moments

• Encouraging healthy ways to express feelings

• Offering comfort and reassurance when emotions feel overwhelming

With time and support, children begin to develop the confidence to cope with their emotions and trust that they’re not facing them alone.

Support for carers makes a difference

Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing is rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Foster carers need support too.

At Fostering Rotherham, carers are supported with training, guidance and access to professional advice, helping them respond to children’s emotional needs with confidence.

Because when carers feel supported, they’re better able to provide the calm, steady care that children need to thrive.

Interested in fostering? Book a call back with one of our friendly advisors today.