Different types of fostering

We offer several types of foster care to meet all the needs of vulnerable children and young people in our care.

We want to make sure that, when you are considering fostering, you are given all the information you need to decide which type of fostering 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, so the types of fostering they need 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 discuss these options with you when we visit.

Watch the 'Any of us' video to learn more about foster carers and making a difference in a child's life.

Here is a list of all the different types of foster care that we provide to local children and young people:

• Emergency Care: Care for children and young people in emergency situations on a short-term basis
• Time Limited: Care which is usually for newly looked after children while their family situation is being assessed
• Long Term: Care for a child who has 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: Emergency care, overnight care, or care on a time limited basis for a child with a disability or complex health need
• PACE: Care for children and young people under the age of 18 who have been charged with an offence. The Local Authority has a duty to provide accommodation so that young people do not need to remain in police custody for 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: a private arrangement which is agreed informally between the child’s parents and the carer. For more information see our private fostering statement of purpose 2024-2025 and our private fostering communications strategy.
• Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children: Caring for children who arrive unaccompanied and as part of an asylum claim.