Embracing Diversity: The Importance of Race and Religion in Foster Care
Tuesday 09 December 2025
At Five Rivers, we believe that every child deserves a safe and loving home, where they feel seen, valued and respected for who they are. We believe it is important to remember that fostering is more than just providing a home. It is also about accepting a child’s identity, culture, faith and experiences. This helps them grow up feeling truly supported and valued.
When children come into care, they often face enormous changes in their lives with the most obvious being new people, new home and school. These transitions can feel overwhelming, especially if their cultural or religious backgrounds are not fully understood or embraced. At Five Rivers, we know this is important for shaping a child’s identity. That is why we work closely with our Foster Carers to make sure children are placed in families that can support their needs. This includes their racial, cultural and religious identities.
You may not share the same background as your foster child, which is why it is important to create a nurturing space, show a willingness to learn and celebrate their individuality. We encourage our carers to explore their local communities, visit places of worship, attend cultural events or connect with other families. This helps deepen understanding and build a truly inclusive community. When children see carers who reflect their own identity or who show genuine interest in who they are and respect their heritage, they begin developing a strong sense of self-worth.
Children who receive care from people who reflect or respect their identity can begin to develop pride in who they are. Small gestures such as learning a few words in their native language, preparing traditional foods together or observing their religious holidays and practices can have an enormous emotional impact, helping them feel seen and truly at home.
At Five Rivers, we understand that fostering is about more than just providing a home, it is about finding the right home for each child. Inclusion starts with compassion, and our mission is to create a community of belonging for every child. We receive feedback from our Foster Carers to help shape our training initiatives, strengthen carer networks and enhance our cultural awareness programmes. Our goal is to ensure our carers feel equipped and supported to meet the needs of the child.
By recognising and celebrating each child’s individuality, we help them build a strong sense of belonging and self-worth. Together, we can ensure that every child feels loved for who they are – feeling confident in who they will become.