An Essex-based fostering agency has highlighted the challenges faced by professionals contained in a new report from the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers (NAFP).

Mosaic Foster Care, an independent fostering agency providing Ofsted Outstanding rated therapeutic foster care, supports the report’s central point – children entering foster care are presenting with increasingly complex needs, yet access to therapeutic support remains inconsistent, delayed and, in many areas, impossible to secure.

For children who have experienced trauma, loss, neglect or instability, those delays can have serious consequences. 

The NAFP report warns a lack of timely therapeutic support is placing additional pressure on foster families and increasing the risk of child placement breakdowns.

It also recognises that many independent fostering agencies are being forced to step in and bridge gaps in provision themselves because specialist services are simply not available quickly enough. 

Mosaic Managing Director Greg De Smidt said: “For children whose lives have already been shaped by uncertainty, every delay matters. 

“The concerns raised in the NAFP report are not isolated observations. They point to a fostering system under increasing strain.”

The devastating consequences of a system under ever-increasing pressure 

According to the report: 

• More than 80% of fostering providers say recruiting new foster parents is now a significant challenge. 

• 72% report growing difficulties retaining experienced foster parents. 

• More than 90% say the complexity of children’s needs has increased. 

• 78% believe current commissioning arrangements are creating barriers to delivering high-quality child placements. 

• 92% feel independent fostering agencies are not sufficiently recognised as essential partners in children’s social care. 

At the same time, the number of mainstream foster households in England has fallen by 10% since 2021, while the overall number of children in care continues to rise. 

The NAFP report identifies improved access to therapeutic support as one of the most urgent priorities facing the sector. 

Why access to therapeutic fostering support matters 

Greg added: “When people think about fostering, they often picture a child arriving in a safe and stable home and gradually settling into family life. While this absolutely happens, the reality is often more complex. 

“Many children in care have experienced significant adverse childhood experiences. These experiences can affect emotional regulation, relationships, trust, self-esteem and behaviour long after the original events have passed. 

“The impact of trauma does not disappear simply because a child moves into a nurturing home. In fact, it is often once children begin to feel safe that some of their deepest challenges begin to surface.” 

Foster parents play a huge role in helping children recover from trauma. However, even the most experienced foster parent cannot be expected to navigate every challenge alone. 

Without specialist support, small difficulties can escalate. Relationships can become strained. Foster parents can feel isolated and overwhelmed. Most importantly, children can miss out on the help they need at the point they need it most. 

Waiting for help takes a heavy toll on foster families 

One of the NAFP report findings that has concerned Mosaic the most is the continued inconsistency in access to therapeutic services across the country. 

Many foster families find themselves facing lengthy waits for specialist interventions, counselling or therapeutic input. By the time support becomes available, situations may already have escalated significantly. 

This loads pressure onto everyone involved – children continue to struggle, foster parents are left trying to respond to increasingly complex challenges and social care professionals are often working within systems where the support they know a child needs simply is not available quickly enough. 

For a child who has already experienced instability, every delay can increase the risk of their placement becoming unsettled. 

Why Mosaic Foster Care chooses to take a different approach 

In response to this very challenge, Mosaic Foster Care developed its SMILE therapeutic framework and built an in-house therapeutic team that sits at the heart of everything the agency does. 

Greg added: “Rather than relying solely on external services, our foster families have direct access to accredited psychotherapists, therapists and specialist therapeutic professionals who understand both trauma and fostering. 

“Support is available when it is needed, not months later, which means foster parents can receive guidance early. Children can access therapeutic interventions sooner and challenges can be explored before they develop into crises. 

“Just as importantly, therapeutic support is not reserved solely for the child. Birth children, foster parents and family dynamics all play a role in creating a stable environment where children can recover and thrive. Our therapeutic approach reflects this reality.”

Independent recognition of Mosaic Foster Care’s therapeutic model 

Earlier this year, Ofsted recognised the impact of this approach during its inspection of Mosaic Foster Care, awarding the agency an Outstanding rating for the third time in a row – only 1% of fostering agencies have achieved this in the country. 

Inspectors described Mosaic’s therapeutic model as being “central to its success” and highlighted the quality of the agency’s therapeutic team. The report noted that foster parents and staff described therapeutic support as “responsive, accessible and often goes above and beyond”. 

Inspectors also recognised children and foster parents benefit from regular therapeutic consultation, reflective practice and consistent emotional support. 

Are you considering becoming a foster parent? 

If you’re exploring fostering and want to understand what meaningful therapeutic support looks like in practice, speak to an experienced Mosaic foster parent today and discover how their therapeutic approach supports children, foster parents and the whole family from day one. 

About Mosaic Foster Care 

Mosaic is an independent fostering agency covering Essex, Suffolk, Bedfordshire including Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, North Kent,Northamptonshire and Worcestershire. Its mission is to ensure every child in its care thrives in a stable, nurturing home. It achieves this by providing long-term foster placements and by carefully matching children and foster parents. Mosaic keeps caseloads small and embeds in-house professionally delivered therapy and youth support into everyday practice – so no child is ever left waiting for the critical support they need. Foster parents receive more than £700 per week after training and benefit from ongoing professional development, and a community thattruly understands the rewards and challenges of fostering.