You may not realise it but there are many different ways in which you can help to care for children. Different types of fostering suit different types of people. Hopefully there is a type of fostering that will suit you and your family.
Short term placements
Short term placements are needed where there are small problems or illness in the family. The aim is to get the child home as quickly as possible and in the meantime provide a stable home for the child to live in whilst we work with their family to resolve any issues.
Long term placements
These placements are generally needed for older children who need a permanent home away from their birth family because of long standing problems. Such young people often need guidance and support within a caring, understanding and loving home and long-term placements are intended to provide stability and security.
Respite care
Respite care may be needed to help families in difficulty, providing a break for both parents and children. These breaks are often over weekends or holidays. This is also used to offer a break to full time foster carers.
Emergency placements
Emergency placements may come about when a parent has been rushed into hospital or because a child has been left at home alone and no relatives can be found. We generally ask experienced foster carers to be on stand-by for an emergency placement.
Supported lodgings
Many young people who leave the care system or who can no longer stay at home are aged just 16 or 17. Their experiences and the difficulties they face tell us that they are often not ready to cope on their own. The scheme aims to bridge the gap to independent living.
Short breaks
Carers are needed to help look after children with disabilities on a regular basis in order to provide respite for both the child and their families.