Types of Fostering

Short-term fostering
This can last from an overnight stay to many months. There may be illness or other problems in the child's family, or a child may have been harmed in some way. Your goal may be to help the child back to his or her own family as soon as possible or to move to another placement. As part of short term fostering there is also respite, family link (which is for children with disabilities) or part time fostering - these are terms that cover a variety of different types of part time care.

Emergency
Some carers offer emergency care. For example, they may need to take a child into their house in the middle of the night or at very short notice. Emergency foster care is used when social workers feel it is essential to take the child away from a particular situation. Longer term plans will then be considered for the child during the next working day, or the child may return home when the crisis is over.
For example, a lone parent has been rushed into hospital or a small child has been left at home alone and no relatives can be found to care for them. They need a safe place to go for the night. Workers will contact the family the next day and consider whether it is safe for them to return home or whether to find a short term foster place. Social workers will start working with the family to help them recognise that children should not be left alone at night and to help them tackle any problems they have in caring for their child.

Family and friends
Sometimes people become foster carers for relatives' children or for children or young people they already know. The aim of this type of fostering, which is often referred to as 'family and friends' or kinship fostering, is to keep children within their own families and communities wherever possible.

Large groups of brothers and sisters (siblings)
Staying together with their brothers and sisters is very important to children who have had changes in their lives. Foster carers are always needed to take on groups of brothers and sisters. If this type of care appeals to you, you might find yourself taking on three, four, five or even more children.

Mother and baby
Some young mothers - who may still be at school - need foster carers who can support them and help them care for their babies. They need people who can teach and encourage them, without taking over their responsibilities as mothers.

Long-term fostering
Sometimes children will not be able to return to live with their own families. A parent's health may have become worse, or perhaps a child's family has been unable to change in a way that will protect the child from harm. In these situations, adoption, (which involves a legal break with the birth family) may not be so appropriate as the child is likely to have developed a strong sense of loyalty and belonging to that family. Long-term fostering will allow a child to grow up in a safe and supported family environment whilst sometimes retaining the connection with their birth family.

Teenagers
Teenage years are when most young people are finding their feet - often testing out their boundaries and seeing how far they can push things, so caring for teenagers can be very challenging. For a young person who has had stressful and unsettling experiences, the teenage years can be especially difficult - both for them and the people who are caring for them. However, there are also the rewards of helping a young person to develop confidence, prepare for independence and make plans for the future.