Short term
This can be from a one night stay up to two years. Your task would be to look after the child until they are able to return to their own family. Some children who cannot return home may move on to be adopted, whilst others will go and live with a long-term foster family. Children who need this type of care are across the age range from babies to teenagers.
Long-term or permanent fostering
Some children need a long-term foster carer when all attempts to return them to their birth parents have not worked. Long-term foster care provides planned placements for children for a number of years, until they reach 18 or beyond. This allows a child to grow up in a safe and supported family environment whilst remaining in contact with their birth family. Children who need this type of care are usually school age up to teenagers.
Respite fostering
This type of foster care provides time limited breaks for children with disabilities, and their families. This may take place on regular planned weekends, or school holidays, where the child is cared for by the same foster carer, so families are more able to care for their children long term. Respite fostering is an important way of supporting children and their families as well as occasionally assisting other foster carers with their fostering commitments.
Will I get a choice?
We will discuss with you the type of fostering that will best suit you and your family. Many of our cares choose one type of fostering over another. Some prefer short periods of planned time, others want to foster short-term, although this is often not a defined amount of time, and can be whilst complicated issues are resolved. Others love to look after children until they reach maturity.
Can I choose the age of child I would like to foster?
Lots of people will feel more confident with a particular age group. We will discuss with you whether babies, school age children, teenagers or a combination of these fits in with your family. You will need to think about your lifestyle and the age of children you wish to foster.