What type of fostering is right for you?

We want to make sure that when you consider fostering, you are given all the information that you need to enable you to decide what is best for you and your lifestyle. The type of fostering you are most suited to will depend on factors such as your skills, your experience, and your availability.

Every child and young person is unique and individual with their own needs from a Foster Carer. There are many distinct types of fostering which differ due to the nature and length of the care provided. You may be able to offer more than one type of care arrangement – we will talk to you about the options when we come and visit you.

Emergency care: Foster families provide care to children and young people in emergency situations on a short-term basis.
Time Limited: Usually, this will be when children become newly looked after and their family situation is being assessed.
Long Term: This is when decisions are made for a child to become a permanent member of a foster family.
Respite: Planned, often short periods of care, based on a child’s or another Foster Carer’s needs.
Link Care: You could provide emergency care, overnight care, or care on a time limited basis for a child with a disability or health need. Link Carers see the child first and build on what they can do, not what they can’t.
PACE: The Local Authority has a duty to provide accommodation to children and young people under the age of 18 who have been charged with an offence so that young people do not need to remain in police custody longer than needed.
Supported Lodgings: Providing a young person with a room in a friendly home environment with the support and guidance of the adults living there.
Private fostering: Private fostering is a private arrangement which is agreed informally between the child’s parents and the carer. If you are looking after someone else’s child and it is: continuous for more than 28 days, the child is under 16 years old or 18 years old if they have a disability and you are anyone other than a grandparent, uncle/aunt, brother/sister or step parent then it is likely that this is a private fostering arrangement and you must advise the Local Authority. The Local Authority has a duty to undertake an assessment of you to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child/ren. Contact us on 0345 045 5203 for more information.