Fostering
Fostering opportunities
There are many roles a foster carer can undertake and much depends on individual circumstances. Fostering doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment; you can talk to a fostering officer who can explain all of the options. You can choose to foster on a full or part-time basis or to give respite care for a few days, weekends or short-term.
Some of our foster carers care for more than once child; this all depend on ability and personal circumstances.
Types of foster care
Mainstream
Mainstream is a term used to describe the foster care of children who need care for anything from one night, a few weeks or several months. Children who, for whatever reason, can not be looked after by their families.
This may be due to illness in the family, neglect or some form of abuse. Foster carers will have close contact with the child’s social worker who will work with the child’s birth family to hopefully resolve family issues so that they can return home as quickly as possible.
Long term foster care
There are some circumstances where children can not return to their birth parents. These children often keep in contact with their family but need a stable environment in which to be brought up.
Long term care is different to adoption as some children do not want to be adopted as they still have strong links with their own families.
Short break
Short break or respite foster care is when support is given to children with disabilities and their families.
Our Children With Disabilities Service works closely with our Fostering Service to provide access to carers who are able to provide short breaks to children and young people. This could be anything from a few hours a week to a few days per month.
The children and young people who receive this service may have a physical disability, a learning difficulty or sensory impairment. The care they receive helps the children and young people experience different things and give their families a valuable break to re-charge their batteries or spend time with other siblings.
Fee-based caring
Many people choose foster caring as a career. This is when the foster carer receives a fee, or salary, in addition to allowances to help them care for a child or young person.
> Find out more about a career in foster care
Take the first step to fostering
We have a team of highly trained and committed people who you can talk to informally or arrange a home visit. Contact us and we can take you through the options best suited to your circumstances. Or make a foster care general enquiry and someone will contact you.
> Steps to becoming a foster carer
Fostering someone you know?
Are you looking after a child for a friend or family member?
> Find out more about fostering someone you know.
