Types Of Fostering

There are many types of fostering which take into consideration the needs of the both the child, their family and the circumstances surrounding the need for the service. Some examples are:

Emergency

This type of fostering is used at short notice and may require the foster carer to take the child into their home in the middle of the night. The duration of the Childs stay may be anything from one night to a few days.

Short-term

The duration of short-term fostering can be anything from one night, a few weeks or a period of several months. Short-term foster carers provide temporary places for a child to stay until a plan is made for the Childs future. Possible outcomes are the child can return home to their own family, a placement in long-term fostering, or alternatively adoption.

Long-term

Long-term fostering allows children and young people to stay with a foster carer where they can feel safe and secure in an environment that is familiar to them. They may also maintain contact with their birth family. Long-term fostering enables the child to stay there for a number of years, or until they are 18 years old and are considered adults.

Respite

Also known as ‘short-break or ‘shared care’. This is where part-time care is offered and can be anything from a couple of hours each week to a couple of weekends each month giving either the childs own family or regular foster carers a break.

Mother & Baby

Specially trained foster carers will take both the young mother and babies into their home. They will provide them with the care and support needed teaching them the skills needed to care for their baby appropriately.