The fostering system
Daily records carers actually want to write.
Fostem is a calm, simple system for independent fostering agencies in England. Carers write on their phone. Staff see what matters first. The records are there when Ofsted asks.
30 days free. No card. Built with a foster carer of 7 years.
Tuesday 14 October
How was the day?
Jamie walked to school with his friend for the first time. He was proud of himself and told me all about it at tea.
For carers
Made for the end of a long day.
Carers are busy. Writing up should take minutes, not an evening.
A quick check-in
Mood, sleep, meals, school, family time and health in a few taps. Add as much or as little as the day needs.
Nothing gets lost
Drafts save as you type, even with no signal. Logs written offline send by themselves when you’re back online.
One day or several
Write up a single day or a few days together. Medication, events, appointments and family time all live in one place.
A daily reminder
If today’s diary isn’t written by the time your agency chooses, carers get a gentle reminder. Never once it’s done.
Safeguarding
Concerns reach the right people. Straight away.
As a carer writes, Fostem checks their wording and answers. If something needs attention, it is flagged while they type, so they can add detail while it is fresh.
When the log is submitted, the right people are alerted automatically.
- MediumSupervising social worker
- HighPlus the registered manager
- CriticalPlus the agency owner
What happened today?
After family time Jamie came home with a bruise on his arm. He said he didn't want to talk about it and went to his room early.
Thank you. This will be shared when you submit. Please add anything Jamie said, in his own words.
- Priya Nair, supervising social workerAlerted on submit
- Registered managerAlerted on submit
For your team
See what matters first.
The staff inbox is sorted by urgency, with a target time on every item. Acknowledge it, review it, close it. Critical items can only be closed by the registered manager.
- Child records, carer households and placements
- Invite carers and staff in minutes
- Logs lock on submit. Changes are added as notes, never overwritten
- A tamper-proof audit log of who did what, and when
- CriticalRubyTarget 1 hourSignificant event · closed by registered manager only
- HighJamieTarget Same dayDaily log flagged · Amina Okafor
- MediumJamieTarget 2 daysMedication refused · evening dose
- InfoRubyNo targetDentist appointment added
Inspection
Ready for Ofsted, from the records you already keep.
Readiness checks are worked out from your real records, not a separate spreadsheet. You can see where you are strong and what needs a look, before an inspector does.
- Daily logs submitted this weekOn track
- Flags reviewed within targetOn track
- Medication errors with a review1 to check
- Placements with a named social workerOn track
Also in Fostem
One system for the whole agency.
Carer and child files, payments, recruitment and panel are part of the same system. Every plan includes all of it.
Carer file
DBS, training and TSDS, supervision and unannounced visits, annual reviews, household members and documents with expiry reminders.
Child file
Care plan, LAC reviews, PEP, health and delegated authority, all in one place.
Notifications and allegations
Schedule 7 notifications and allegations tracking, including LADO referrals.
Carer payments
Rate cards, per-carer terms, respite, retainers and claims. Approve, then export a BACS file and a file for your accountant.
Recruitment
From first enquiry to initial visit, Form F, panel and the ADM decision.
Email alerts and data tools
Email alerts for your team, plus data import when you join and export whenever you want.
Security
Children's records deserve care.
Your data is hosted in the UK. Agencies can never see each other's data. Every rule is enforced in the database itself, not just on screen.
Pricing
Simple and fair.
Every feature on every plan. Unlimited staff and carer logins. You pay by the number of approved carer households, from £299 a month.
Try Fostem with your own team.
30-day free trial. No card needed. Unlimited staff and carer logins from day one.