Fostering Kingdoms | Faith at the Heart of Fostering | Support & CPD for UK Foster Carers

Jessica Smithers-Jones
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Fostering Kingdoms is a faith-based podcast walking alongside UK foster carers with encouragement, gentle guidance, and practical CPD support. Each episode nurtures emotional wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable fostering through a Kingdom lens. This space exists to strengthen your heart, your home, and your calling. Putting care back into the carers so you can continue on your journey as a foster carer and with God at the centre of it all.

  1. Sep 23

    When You Don’t Know What’s Next | Trusting God One Step at a Time

    What do you do when you genuinely don’t know what comes next? Maybe something in your fostering journey has changed. A placement has ended. Your circumstances look completely different. You're waiting for an answer. You're questioning your next step. Or perhaps you know God is calling you towards something but you have absolutely no idea how you're going to get there. That uncertainty can leave us frozen. We pray, “God, just tell me what to do next.” But what if you don't need the entire roadmap before you start moving? In this episode of Fostering Kingdoms, we're talking about trusting God through seasons of uncertainty, letting go of our need to control the outcome, and learning to take the next step even when we can't see where the whole journey is leading. God hasn't promised to hand us the complete map of our lives. Sometimes we simply have to trust Him with the step that's in front of us. In this episode, we talk about: What to do when you don't know what's nextNavigating uncertainty as a foster carerTrusting God when circumstances suddenly changeWhy uncertainty can leave us feeling stuck or unable to moveLetting go of the need to control every outcomeTaking action before you have all the answersMoving with prayer, wisdom, discernment and good counselThe example of Abraham stepping out in faithBuilding small, consistent habits towards the things God has placed on your heartThe simple Trust → Step → Repeat frameworkOne of the questions I want to leave you with is: What do you already know you need to do that you haven't done because you're waiting to know what happens afterwards? Maybe it's sending the message. Having the difficult conversation. Asking for help. Setting the boundary. Starting the project. Ending something that needs to end. Or simply taking one small step towards something God has placed on your heart. You don't need to know what step ten looks like before you take step one. 🙏 TRUST → STEP → REPEAT TRUST — God can see what you cannot. STEP — Act on what you already know. REPEAT — Keep showing up and taking the next step. Faith doesn't always look like receiving the entire plan and then agreeing to follow it. Sometimes faith looks like moving first and understanding later. 💬 WORD OF THE VIDEO: TRUST If you've stayed with me until the end, leave TRUST in the comments and tell me: what are you trusting God with right now? ❤️ ABOUT FOSTERING KINGDOMS Fostering Kingdoms exists to put faith back at the heart of fostering by supporting and encouraging foster carers to build sustainable fostering journeys, families and homes. 🌿 THE SUSTAINABLE FOSTERING FRAMEWORK If fostering has started to feel heavy, your capacity has changed, or you know something needs to shift, the Sustainable Fostering Framework is designed to help you reflect on where you are today and intentionally build towards a more sustainable future. Visit fosteringkingdoms.com/framework to learn more. 🏡 Find more support, resources and conversations at fosteringkingdoms.com If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe and share it with another foster carer who might be sitting in uncertainty and wondering what comes next. You don't need the whole roadmap. Trust. Take the step. And repeat. #FosteringKingdoms #ChristianFosterCare #FosterCare #FosterCarer #FaithAndFostering #ChristianFostering #TrustGod #TrustingGod #GodsPlan #ChristianEncouragement #FaithJourney #FosteringSupport #FosteringJourney #FosterParent #SustainableFostering

  2. Sep 16

    When God Changes the Direction, Not the Calling

    What happens when God’s calling over your life hasn’t changed but the direction has? Sometimes we become so attached to how we think God’s calling should unfold that when circumstances change, things become difficult or the original plan stops working, we assume we’ve failed. But what if you’re not being called to quit? What if God is simply asking you to answer the same calling differently? In this episode of Fostering Kingdoms, I’m sharing something I’ve been learning personally: don’t confuse the calling with the method. As foster carers, our lives and circumstances are constantly changing. Our capacity changes. Our families change. Placements change. We change. And sometimes the way we have always done things is no longer the way we are being called to move forward. Pausing doesn’t necessarily mean quitting.Sometimes we need to create enough space to hear where God is leading us next. In this conversation, we explore: ✨How to recognise the difference between quitting and being redirected ✨Why changing direction doesn’t necessarily mean you have failed ✨Holding tightly to the mission while holding loosely to the method ✨Why we don’t need the entire roadmap before taking the next step ✨How our own plans can sometimes get in the way of God’s direction ✨Building a sustainable fostering journey as our lives and capacity change ✨My simple Pause → Listen → Move framework for navigating seasons of uncertainty ✨Trusting God when you don’t know exactly where He is leading you 📖 Scriptures mentioned in this episode: Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” You don't need to know what the next five or ten years will look like. Sometimes you simply need enough faith and enough direction to take the next step. 💬 WORD OF THE VIDEO: DIRECTION If you stayed with me until the end, leave DIRECTION in the comments. And while you're there, I'd love to know: Has God ever redirected you without changing the calling? ❤️ ABOUT FOSTERING KINGDOMS Fostering Kingdoms exists to support and encourage foster carers on their journey while putting faith back at the heart of fostering. Our focus is not simply surviving fostering, but building sustainable carers, families and homes for the long term. 🌿 THE SUSTAINABLE FOSTERING FRAMEWORK If fostering feels heavy, your capacity has changed, or you're questioning whether the way you're currently fostering is sustainable, the Sustainable Fostering Framework has been created to help you pause, reflect and begin building differently. Visit Fostering Kingdoms to learn more. If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe and share it with another foster carer who may need reminding that a change in direction doesn't always mean it's time to give up. The calling may remain the same. God may simply be establishing your next step. #FosteringKingdoms #ChristianFosterCare #FosterCarer #FosterCare #FaithAndFostering #ChristianFostering #GodsCalling #TrustGod #ChristianEncouragement #FaithOverFear #FosteringSupport #FosterParent #FosteringJourney #SustainableFostering #GodsPlan

  3. Sep 10

    When You Feel Like Giving Up on What God Called You to Do

    What do you do when you still believe in what God has called you to do… but you don't feel like doing the work anymore? I'm finally sitting back down behind the microphone at Fostering Kingdoms.And this episode is a very real conversation about capacity, calling, fostering, faith and knowing when to pause without believing that you've failed.There are seasons when God can place something deeply on your heart, yet the realities of everyday life leave you wondering whether you have anything left to give.As foster carers, we can experience this in so many ways. Our capacity changes.Our homes become stretched.Our families need more from us.Placements can become difficult.Our own needs get pushed aside.And sometimes even the things we know we're called to do begin to feel impossible. But needing to pause doesn't necessarily mean you're being called to quit.In this episode, I share some of what I've been navigating personally, including reaching the point where I knew something in our home was no longer sustainable, recognising the different capacities we have for different things, and learning not to allow guilt over what we cannot hold to make us drop everything else we're carrying.We also come back to one important question:What do you do when you still believe in the calling, but you don't feel like doing the work?Galatians 6:9 reminds us:“Let us not become weary in doing good…”Sometimes moving forward doesn't mean pushing harder. Sometimes it looks like:PAUSE.PRAY.PROCEED.Pause long enough to recognise what is happening.Pray and bring it back to God.Then proceed in the direction He is asking you to go.Because there is a difference between giving up and giving yourself the grace to pause.Whether you're struggling in your fostering journey, building something God has placed on your heart, writing a book, starting a ministry, navigating family life or simply trying to keep going through a difficult season, I hope this episode reminds you that you don't have to have everything figured out today.You can pause.You can pray. And when you're ready, you can move forward.❤️ TODAY'S WORD: FORWARDIf you've listened to the end, comment FORWARD below. I'd love to know you're here and tell me: what is God calling you to move forward with right now?🏡 THE SUSTAINABLE FOSTERING FRAMEWORKIf you're a foster carer who wants to build greater emotional, relational, financial and spiritual sustainability into your fostering journey, you can learn more about the Sustainable Fostering Framework through Fostering Kingdoms.https://www.fosteringkingdoms.com/framework Fostering Kingdoms exists to put faith back into the heart of fostering, encouraging and empowering foster carers to build homes, families and fostering journeys that can be sustained for the long term.☕ Grab your coffee, get comfortable and join me for today's conversation.Together Through Fostering. ❤️Hashtags#FosterCare #FosterCarer #FosterParents #ChristianPodcast #ChristianEncouragement #FaithOverFear #GodsCalling #TrustGod #ChristianWomen #Fostering #FosterCareUK #FosterCarerSupport #FosteringKingdoms #SustainableFostering #FaithAndFostering #ChristianFosterCare #Burnout #keepgoing #purpose Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: XWCGQ2ANDJMADO5E

  4. Aug 26

    Why Foster Children Behave the Way They Do | Looking Beyond the Behaviour

    Why do children in foster care behave the way they do, and what might be happening underneath the behaviour we can see? As foster carers, we're given a lot of training around children's behaviour.But how often do we stop and ask a different question: What does this child believe? What do they believe about themselves?What do they believe about adults?What do they believe about love, safety and relationships? And perhaps just as importantly... What do we believe as foster carers and how are those beliefsinfluencing the way we respond? In this episode, Jess explores the connection between our beliefs, thoughts, reactions and behaviours, and why looking beneath behaviour can give us a very different perspective on both ourselves and the children in our care. A child who has experienced instability, rejection, loss or adultsrepeatedly leaving may develop deeply held beliefs about whether people are safe, whether relationships last or whether they themselves are worthy of love and belonging. Sometimes the behaviour we see on the surface may be connected to something much deeper underneath. And as adults, we aren't exempt. Beliefs such as "I have to keep everybody happy," "It'smy job to fix everything," or "I can't say no" caninfluence our own behaviour too, leading us to over-function, struggle with boundaries, continually pour into everyone else and eventually become exhausted or resentful. That's why this conversation isn't simply about changing children's behaviour. It's about developing the awareness to look deeper. In this episode, we explore: ✨The connection between beliefs and behaviour✨Why looking beneath a child's behaviour matters✨How past experiences can influence beliefs about adults and relationships✨Why some children may push away the very relationships they need✨The beliefs foster carers can unknowingly bring into their role✨People-pleasing, over-functioning and burnout✨Why behaviour shouldn't always be taken personally ✨Renewing our minds through Scripture✨Building greater self-awareness as a foster carer✨How these principles connect with sustainable fostering 📖Scripture featured: Romans 12:2 "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rather than focusing only on what we can see externally, Scripturecontinually calls us back to what is happening internally. What are we thinking? What are we believing? What are we allowing to shape our minds? Because when our thinking begins to change, the way we respond can changetoo. The Sustainable Fostering Framework™ The Sustainable Fostering Framework™ was created to helpfoster carers look beyond simply getting through the next difficult day and begin building strong foundations for long-term sustainability. It's not simply about learning another strategy. It's an opportunity to reflect on your emotional, relational, financial andspiritual foundations, understand what's shaping the way you foster, and intentionally build a fostering journey that can be sustained for the longterm. Explore the Framework at:fosteringkingdoms.com/framework After listening, ask yourself: What beliefs might be influencing the way I show up in my fostering role? And when you're faced with difficult behaviour from a child, perhaps ask a different question: "What might this child believe that is making this responsefeel necessary to them?" I'd love to hear what stood out to you in the comments. If this episode helped you see behaviour differently, subscribe to Fostering Kingdoms and share it with another foster carer, social worker or professional who might benefit from the conversation. Because when we stop looking only at behaviour and start becoming curious about what's happening underneath, we create space for greater understanding, compassion and connection. #FosterCare #FosterCarers #Fostering #FosterChild #TraumaInformedCare#FosterCareUK #UKFostering #FosterCarerSupport #ChildBehaviour #Trauma#Attachment #ChristianFostering #FaithAndFostering

  5. Aug 19

    Don't Wait for Recognition – Start Recognising Others | Foster Carers

    Many foster carers spend years, sometimes decades, opening their homes, loving children, supporting families and making countless sacrifices. But what happens when it all comes to an end? In this episode, we explore a question that many foster carers quietly ask: "Was I just a number?" Whether you've been fostering for two years or thirty, it can be painful when your service ends without recognition. But what if our worth was never meant to depend on flowers, cards, or a thank you? Together we'll explore: ☕ Why so many foster carers feel forgotten when they leave ☕ How our identity can become tied to recognition from others ☕ What the Bible teaches about true value and purpose ☕ How to stop seeking validation from people and anchor your worth in God ☕ Why becoming the person who shows appreciation can transform the culture around us Instead of waiting for someone else to say "thank you", this episode challenges us to become people who recognise, encourage and honour those around us including social workers, managers, IROs, teachers and fellow foster carers. Because sustainable fostering isn't just about changing the system. It's about changing how we show up within it. 📖 Scriptures mentioned: • Colossians 3:23-24 • Isaiah 43:1 Explore the Sustainable Fostering Framework Helping foster carers build long-term emotional, relational, financial and spiritual sustainability. Visit:https://fosteringkingdoms.com/framework Have you ever felt overlooked or forgotten in your fostering journey?Or...Has someone made you feel genuinely valued?Share your experience in the comments. If this episode has encouraged you: • Subscribe for weekly fostering conversations • Like this video • Share it with another foster carer • Help us encourage more carers to put faith at the heart of fostering Fostering Kingdoms Helping foster carers put faith at the heart of fostering. Because sustainable fostering starts with a sustainable carer. #FosterCare #FosterCarer #FosterCarers #Fostering #FosteringUK #FosterParent #FosterParentSupport #FosterCareSupport #FosterCareTraining #FosterCarePodcast #FosterCarerWellbeing #FosterCareBurnout #LeavingFostering #FosterCareJourney #FosterCarerLife #FosterCareCommunity #ChristianFosterCarer #FaithAndFostering #ChristianPodcast #FaithBased #ChristianLeadership #IdentityInChrist #EmotionalWellbeing #MentalHealth #Resilience #SustainableFostering #FosteringKingdoms

  6. Aug 12

    It's Okay to Have a Meh Day | Finding Rest Without Feeling Guilty

    Not every day has to be productive. Not every day has to be full of energy, motivation or big breakthroughs. Sometimes we simply wake up feeling... meh. And that's okay. In this episode of Let's Talk About This, Jess shares an honest conversation about slowing down, giving yourself permission to rest and finding peace in the ordinary moments of life. Whether you're a foster carer, parent or simply carrying a lot right now, this episode is a gentle reminder that your worth isn't measured by how much you achieve in a day. God meets us in the quiet moments too. In this episode we explore: ✨ Why it's okay to have ordinary days ✨ Letting go of the pressure to always be productive ✨ Finding peace in the middle of busy seasons ✨ Why sustainable fostering requires intentional rest ✨ Learning from the example of Jesus, who often withdrew to pray and rest ✨ Trusting God even when life feels slow One of the biggest reminders in this episode is:"Rest isn't weakness. It's part of how God sustains us." 📖 Scriptures featured: Psalm 23:2–3 "He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul." Matthew 11:28–30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." These verses remind us that God isn't asking us to hustle harder, He's inviting us to come to Him just as we are. 🌿 The Sustainable Fostering Framework™ If today's conversation resonated with you and you're ready to build emotional, relational and spiritual foundations that will help you sustain fostering for the long term, I'd love to invite you to explore the Sustainable Fostering Framework™. Designed specifically for foster carers, the Framework helps you move from simply surviving to fostering sustainably through faith, practical wisdom and intentional growth. 🎓 Includes a Certificate of Completion that can contribute towards your CPD and mandatory fostering training. 👉 Learn more at:fosteringkingdoms.com/framework 💬 I'd love to hear from you. When was the last time you gave yourself permission to simply rest without feeling guilty? Let me know in the comments below.If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a comment and share it with another foster carer who may need this reminder today. Because together, we're putting faith back at the heart of fostering. Topics covered • Foster Care • Foster Carer Wellbeing • Christian Foster Care • Faith & Fostering • Sustainable Fostering • Rest • Burnout Prevention • Psalm 23 • Matthew 11 • Christian Encouragement • Mental Wellbeing • Personal Growth • Self-Care • Foster Carer Support #FosterCare #FosterCarers #ChristianFostering #FaithAndFostering #SustainableFostering #Rest #BurnoutPrevention #Psalm23 #MentalWellbeing #ChristianEncouragement #FosteringKingdoms #UKFostering

  7. Aug 5

    The Decisions Every Foster Carer Makes Every Day | Building Sustainable Fostering

    Every decision you make today is shaping your tomorrow.As foster carers, we often think the biggest decisions are the ones that change our lives. Taking a placement. Changing agencies. Closing our home. Moving house.But what if it's actually the small decisions that shape who we become?In this episode of Let's Talk About This, Jess explores the power of everyday decision-making and how the small choices we make each day quietly build the future we're living towards.From hitting the snooze button to spending time with God, caring for ourselves, building healthy routines and choosing faith over fear, every decision creates a ripple effect—not only in our own lives but in the lives of the children we care for.In this episode we explore:✨ Why small decisions matter more than we realise✨ Living intentionally instead of on autopilot✨ How everyday choices shape long-term sustainability✨ Proverbs 16:9 and trusting God to establish your steps✨ Building daily rhythms that support foster care and family life✨ Making decisions from faith instead of fearOne of the biggest questions we ask in this episode is:"What decisions are you making today that are shaping the person you'll become tomorrow?"Because sustainable fostering isn't built through one big decision.It's built through thousands of faithful ones.📖 Scripture featured:Proverbs 16:9"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."God may not reveal the whole journey, but He faithfully guides the next step.🌿 The Sustainable Fostering Framework™If today's conversation challenged you to think differently about your daily habits, routines and long-term wellbeing, I'd love to invite you to explore the Sustainable Fostering Framework™.Designed specifically for foster carers, the Framework helps you build emotional, relational, financial and spiritual foundations so you can move from simply surviving to fostering sustainably.🎓 Includes a Certificate of Completion that can contribute towards your CPD and mandatory fostering training.👉 Learn more at:https://fosteringkingdoms.com/framework💬 I'd love to hear from you.What's one small decision you can make today that your future self will thank you for?Share your thoughts in the comments below.If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a comment and send it to another foster carer who could use this reminder today.Because together, we're building stronger carers, healthier homes and sustainable fostering.Topics coveredFoster CareFoster Carer SupportChristian Foster CareFaith & FosteringSustainable FosteringDecision MakingProverbs 16Personal GrowthChristian LeadershipDaily HabitsFoster Carer WellbeingSelf-CareIntentional LivingStewardship#FosterCare #FosterCarers #ChristianFostering #FaithAndFostering #SustainableFostering #DecisionMaking #PersonalGrowth #Proverbs16 #Stewardship #FosteringKingdoms #FosterCareUK #ChristianLeadership

  8. Jul 29

    Where Even Is "There"? | Trusting God in the Messy Middle

    Where even is "there"?We spend so much of our lives chasing the next destination."When the placement settles...""When life calms down...""When I have more confidence...""When I finally get there..."But what if there isn't the goal?In this episode of Together Through Fostering, Jess shares how God often works through the messy middle, not after we've arrived.Whether you're navigating a new foster placement, building new rhythms at home, stepping into a new calling, or simply trying to work out what God is asking of you next, this conversation is a reminder that obedience is rarely about having the whole blueprint.It's about taking the next faithful step.In this episode we explore:✨ Why we're always chasing "there"✨ Learning to embrace the messy middle✨ Trusting God's timing instead of our own✨ How small acts of obedience shape our future✨ Why sustainable growth happens one step at a time✨ What God can do through ordinary faithfulnessOne of the biggest questions we ask in this episode is:"Have I become so focused on where I'm going that I've stopped noticing what God is building today?"Because maybe the goal isn't arriving.Maybe the goal is becoming.Scripture featured:Zechariah 4:10"Do not despise these small beginnings..."Sometimes the smallest acts of obedience become the biggest turning points in our lives.The Sustainable Fostering Framework™If you're ready to build stronger emotional, relational and spiritual foundations for your fostering journey, I'd love to invite you to explore the Sustainable Fostering Framework™.Created to help foster carers move from simply surviving to fostering sustainably through faith, practical wisdom and intentional growth.👉 Learn more here:https://www.fosteringkingdoms.com/frameworkI'd love to hear from you.What is one small step you feel God is asking you to take right now?Share your thoughts in the comments below.If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a comment and send it to another foster carer who may need this reminder today.Topics covered• Foster Care • Christian Foster Care • Faith & Fostering • Sustainable Fostering • Obedience • Personal Growth • Spiritual Growth • Trusting God • Calling • Foster Carer Wellbeing • Christian Encouragement • Leadership • Stewardship #FosterCare #FaithAndFostering #ChristianFostering #SustainableFostering #TrustGod #Obedience #Calling #FosterCarers #PersonalGrowth #FosteringKingdoms #ChristianEncouragement #Stewardship

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Fostering Kingdoms is a faith-based podcast walking alongside UK foster carers with encouragement, gentle guidance, and practical CPD support. Each episode nurtures emotional wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable fostering through a Kingdom lens. This space exists to strengthen your heart, your home, and your calling. Putting care back into the carers so you can continue on your journey as a foster carer and with God at the centre of it all.

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