Support for Foster Carers at Apex: A Social Worker’s Perspective

One of the biggest reasons potential foster carers hesitate to apply?

“I wasn’t sure I’d be able to cope. What if I get overwhelmed? What if I don’t know what to do?”

This fear is more common than you might think. And it’s exactly why Apex’s support system exists. Behind every carer is a team. And for many, that starts with someone like Paulette.

Meet Paulette: Apex Supervising Social Worker

Paulette has over 25 years of experience in social work, supporting children from infancy to adulthood. But she wasn’t looking for a job in just any fostering agency.

“Our foster carers are the unsung heroes,” she says.“I missed being close to the work that matters; relationships.”

That desire to connect more deeply brought her to Apex. Here, support isn’t delivered from a distance, rather, it’s hands-on, heart-first, and responsive.

Why Apex? “It feels like people, not process.”

What made Apex stand out to Paulette wasn’t just its smaller size, but it was the way it works.

“It didn’t feel corporate. I could pick up the phone and speak to someone, straight away.”

This accessibility is the foundation of the supportive culture Apex builds for its carers: real people showing up for each other, every day.

So what does support for foster carers actually look like?

Here’s how Paulette and the team show up for carers, day in, day out:

• Weekly, sometimes daily, check-ins - more frequently during challenging times

• Face-to-face visits, tailored to the carer’s needs

• Calls, texts, emails – whatever works best

• Advocacy with schools, GPs, and local authorities

• 24/7 on-call support, even at 2am

“My caseload is manageable,” Paulette says.

“That means I can actually respond. If I miss a call, I get back within hours. That’s not the exception, it’s the standard.”

Peer support: A carer community, not just a caseload

Beyond the social workers, support for foster carers also happen between one another through:

• Regular meetups and drop-ins

• Mentorship between new and experienced carers

• Informal peer support networks

We're always ensuring we are building a strong community, not just a fostering agency.

Matching is part of the support

Paulette is deeply involved in the matching process too, and she’s clear about what matters:

“I know my carers well. Great matching requires intention and a close relationship with our carers."

This means:

• Saying no to the wrong placement is important

• Honest conversations about readiness

• Ensuring every child–carer match is carefully considered, not rushed
  

When things are hard, support gets stronger

Paulette recalls a moment when one carer was reaching the end of their rope. Two young girls with complex trauma had been waking in the night, crying, struggling to settle.

“She was exhausted. I didn’t just ask if she was OK — I stepped in.”

Paulette secured extra support from the local authority, checked in daily, and made sure the household felt safe.

The connection doesn’t end when the placement does

Even when children move on, many carers stay in touch; exchanging messages, meeting for coffee, being part of important milestones.

The relationship often continues with care, showing how our carers primary motivation is the care for the young people.

Final word from Paulette: “You’re never on your own.”

If there’s one thing Paulette wants every new and prospective carer to hear, it’s this:

“You’re never on your own here. Whether it’s me, the team, or the other carers — we’re in this together.”

Thinking about fostering?

You don’t have to have it all figured out. That’s what we’re here for.

Reach out for a warm, no-pressure conversation about fostering and how we’ll walk with you every step of the way.

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