OwnLife Fostering Ltd

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OwnLife Fostering Ltd

An independent Fostering Agency. We are working with a number of Local Authorities and recruiting fo Independent fostering agency.

Our name reflects our aim which is to inspire the children/young people placed in our care to “own” and take control of their “own lives”
Our carers deserve the same quality of life and we ensure this by supporting them 24/7 so that they, in turn, can support the young people in their care and their own families at the same time. We promote a career model for foster carers. Training Support and Development Standards (TSD) and Assessment incorporates Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) standards. Membership of The Fostering Network. Participation groups and consultation sessions.

10/10/2026

A fostering agency should feel close enough to know its carers, understand its communities and respond when support is needed.

OwnLife is a small independent agency based in Dartford, supporting fostering families across South London and Kent.

Our size helps us build strong working relationships, while carers receive one-to-one social work support backed by a wider professional team.

Local knowledge matters because children, carers, schools and communities do not exist in isolation - lasting progress is built together.

08/10/2026

October is Black History Month in the UK, and the 2026 theme is Honouring Our Communities.

In fostering, culture and history are not extras to be added later. They are part of how a child understands who they are, where they come from and where they belong. Good care makes space for family stories, food, hair and skin care, faith, music, language, community and joy - throughout the year.

This month, we will be reflecting on the everyday people and connections that help identity grow.

30/09/2026

You do not need to make a life-changing decision today.

Your next step can simply be a conversation. Ask about the role, the support, the training, the assessment and what fostering might mean for your household.

OwnLife is a small independent fostering agency supporting families across South London and Kent, with one-to-one social work support, regular learning, community activity and 24/7 out-of-hours help.

Find your happiness and help a child live their Own Life. Start your enquiry when you are ready.

29/09/2026

The fostering journey starts with an enquiry and the chance to ask questions.

If you decide to continue, preparation and assessment help the agency get to know you and your household, explore your experience and support network, and consider the care you may be best placed to offer.

Checks, learning and a fostering panel form part of the formal process. It is thorough because children deserve safe, well-prepared carers - and you deserve the information to make an informed decision.

28/09/2026

Children and young people have the right to express their views and be involved in choices about their lives.

Listening well means more than asking a question. It means offering different ways to communicate, allowing time, noticing what is not said, explaining what will happen next, and being honest about which decisions can or cannot change.

Voice is not a one-off activity. It is a habit of respectful care.

26/09/2026

Culture is lived in everyday details: food, language, music, faith, hair and skin care, celebrations, humour, community and family traditions.

Supporting a child's cultural identity means learning with humility, asking rather than assuming, and making sure what matters to them is present in ordinary family life.

Foster carers do not have to know everything on day one. They do need openness, respect and the confidence to seek guidance and keep learning.

25/09/2026

A child's important relationships can be central to their identity and sense of continuity.

Brothers, sisters, relatives, friends, former carers and trusted adults may all hold meaningful parts of their story.

Contact and relationship plans are individual and led by the professionals responsible for each child, but the principle remains: listen to what relationships mean to them and support safe, agreed connections with care. Stability is about more than a place - it is also about people.

23/09/2026

Every child brings a story, culture, family history, interests, memories and hopes that deserve to be recognised.

Supporting identity can mean listening carefully, keeping meaningful connections where plans allow, celebrating what matters to the child, and helping them make sense of their story at their pace.

It is not about making assumptions. It is about curiosity, respect and ensuring the child remains at the centre of decisions about their life.

22/09/2026

Belonging is not created by one grand gesture.

It grows through ordinary experiences repeated with care: saving someone a place at the table, remembering how they like their toast, including them in plans, and making room for their preferences.

Children and young people should be treated with respect, dignity and equality, with opportunities to build lasting connections.

Foster care can offer a steady base from which confidence, relationships and a sense of self can grow.

21/09/2026

One of the first practical questions people ask is about space.

OwnLife's current fostering criteria include having a spare bedroom and a secure home. A bedroom is more than a box to tick: it can offer privacy, consistency and a place where a child or young person can begin to add their own touches.

If you are unsure whether your home setup may be suitable, speak to the team before ruling yourself out. A quick conversation can give you a clear answer based on your circumstances.

Address

3-5 Sandpit Road
Dartford
DA15BU

Telephone

+442083133304

Website

http://www.ownlifefostering.co.uk/

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