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Our fostering service accommodates many types of fostering;
Temporary fostering - short term foster carers have children placed from a couple of weeks to a couple of years, children could then either return home, maybe go to live with another family member or friend of the family, some children go on to adoption or some move on to long term foster carers. Some carers who have a child on a short term basis end up becoming long term carers for the child, this happens when the child, carers and social workers feel it is the best option for the child and it would have to be right for you as a family. Short term fostering is very rewarding as you are preparing a child and developing their skills ready to move on to hopefully a permanent family arrangement. It can be difficult saying goodbye, but we will offer you lots of support around this time and of course after the child has gone.
Permanent fostering - when a child cannot be considered for adoption, return home or be placed with other family and friends they require fostering on a long term basis. Long term fostering means that the child or children will hopefully stay with you until they reach young adulthood, this may be 16, 17 or 18 years old. Carers who do long term fostering often stay in touch with their foster children for the rest of their lives as part of their family. There is a real need for long term foster carers who can consider caring for children over 10 years old and helping them develop into independence.
Our re-investments are focused around offering substantial aftercare for young people that have or are leaving care.
Respite care and short term breaks - did you know that you can become a foster carer if you are only able to offer 1 weekend a month? There are some children who will continue to live with their own family but who need a break from their situation from time to time. Other children may need fostering for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, this can happen when their parent or carer may need to go into hospital and there is nobody to care for their child. Also there are children who are already in foster Care and their carer may need a break every now and then, you could become part of their support network and have the same child come to you on a regular basis, or maybe on the occasional weekend.
Family based family assessment - sometimes a young parent may need some extra support and guidance to get them back on course with their own parenting skills. This type of fostering offers a placement to a parent and their baby. You will be trained to be able to offer support to the parent to enable them to care for their own child. You will help social workers to decide how the young parent is doing and prepare them to move on to their own home. However, sometimes this is not possible and the child could be removed from the parent. The child or parent might stay with you a little longer on their own or both might move on to alternative accommodation.
Specialised foster care - specialist foster care placements can include emergency or remand fostering, fostering for children with disabilities and placements for children who have been trafficked or affected by sexual exploitation.
