You may have heard the term 'fostering' before in conversation and not really known what fostering actually means.
We are here to help you understand what fostering is and what it means to be a foster carer in the UK.
Children go into foster care when their birth parents or families can't look after them for a number of reasons.
When a child is placed with a foster family they are treated as one of the family, celebrating the child's birthday, any traditional holidays they celebrated at home, and the foster family are encouraged to take them on holiday.
A child could be in foster care for different periods of time. Placements range from respite for a day or a weekend up to a number of years.
Children come into care for a range of reasons. Some of the most common reasons are...
An illness in the family
Relationship problems or relationship breakdowns
Alcohol and/or drug abuse or addiction
Child abuse
We offer different foster placements to make sure everyone who wants to be a foster carer has the option to foster in a way that suits them and any children or young people in placement best so they can foster to the best of their ability and in a way that fits their family best.
Respite
Emergency
Short-term
Sibling groups
Long-term/permanent
Children with disabilities
Parent and child
Unaccompanied asylum seeking minors
* All our carers are paid above the Fostering Network Payment Guidelines.
(made to each fostering household with a placement).
* All our carers are paid above the Fostering Network Payment Guidelines.
(payment made to each fostering household with a placement).