When a child is taken into care and decisions are being made for their future, they will be placed with a foster family in a ‘short term’ placement. This could be for a matter of days, weeks, or even months.
LONG TERM OR ‘PERMANENT’ FOSTERING
Some children cannot return to their birth families, but retain strong links with them. They need foster carers who can offer them a secure placement through to adulthood.
EMERGENCY FOSTERING
Some children need to be looked after with very short notice, at any time of day or night, with very little planning or preparation. Emergency foster carers offer a home for a short period until further plans are made.
RESPITE FOSTER CARE
Foster carers sometimes need a break or someone to help with the care of their foster children from time to time. Respite carers offer weekend and/or school holiday support. This can range from an overnight stay up to a fortnight.
SHORT BREAKS CARERS
Short breaks carers offer regular, planned and ongoing support to children and young people who have a disability, at weekends or during school holidays.
PARENT AND CHILD FOSTERING
Parent and child fostering involves looking after a parent and their child – often but not always a young mother. These placements typically last for around 12 weeks, so that the carer can teach essential parenting skills, encourage the parental bond, and ensure that the child is safe and cared for.
REFUGEE/UASC CHILDREN
Many of our foster carers provide care to refugee and unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC).