The Power of Makaton in Foster Care: Giving Every Child a Voice

In foster care, communication is at the heart of everything we do. Whether we’re supporting a child through a difficult transition or helping them build trust in a new environment, being able to understand and be understood can make all the difference. That’s where Makaton comes in.

Although not foster care, I was a respite carer for a number of years and know just how important it is to support a child to feel heard and understood, especially those children with communication difficulties, its all about building trust and having a shared knowledge of a communication system can make a huge difference to supporting a child's self-esteem, confidence and goes a long way to building bonds for that child to feel safe.

At the beginning of this year I delivered training for a National Fostering Association, a group of foster carers came together to learn more about how they could embed Makaton into the amazing support they provide.

Makaton is a unique communication  programme that uses speech, signs and symbols to help people communicate and understand and process information. For children who struggle with verbal communication—whether due to developmental delay, trauma, or anxiety—Makaton provides an accessible and empowering way to express themselves.

You can read more in this wonderful blog created by Fostercareblog.org

Effective Communication Tips for Foster Parents and Children – Foster Care Blog

When Visuals Become a Lifeline

During training, one particularly powerful story stood out. A carer shared how visuals had been introduced to a minimally speaking 11-year-old girl. With the support of her foster carers, she began using these visual tools to express her needs and feelings. Over time, this communication method became a lifeline—enabling her to disclose that something was happening to her that she hadn’t previously been able to share. It was a stark reminder that communication tools like Makaton aren’t just about learning new skills; they can truly change lives.

Supporting Children in Moments of Uncertainty

Another memorable example came from a semi-retired husband and wife team who occasionally take on emergency placements. They spoke about how valuable the Makaton course had been in preparing them for situations where children arrive with little to no background information and may be extremely anxious or withdrawn.

They both reflected that Makaton has given them a new set of tools to communicate calmly and clearly, even when words aren’t possible. “We’ll be taking a lot away from this session,” they said, noting how it has broadened their ability to support children in those first crucial hours and days.

By using simple signs and visuals, they found they could quickly establish a sense of safety and connection, helping children feel more at ease in an unfamiliar environment and shared this with me during a follow-up email.

Why Makaton Matters

For many children in care, communication barriers can amplify feelings of frustration, fear, and isolation. Makaton bridges that gap. It encourages positive interaction, helps build relationships based on understanding, and gives children the means to share their experiences in ways that feel safe and manageable.

By embracing Makaton across foster care settings, we’re not only enhancing communication—we’re amplifying the voices of children who may otherwise go unheard.

Final Thoughts

Training in Makaton isn’t just another course; it’s an investment in empathy and connection. Every foster carer who takes the time to learn and use it is helping to create a world where every child, regardless of their communication ability, can be seen, heard, and understood.

References

• The Makaton Charity. (2025). About Makaton. Retrieved from https://www.makaton.org

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2016). Supporting children with communication difficulties: Guidelines for social care and education. London: NICE.

• Effective Communication Tips for Foster Parents and Children – Foster Care Blog

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