There are lots of ways to foster

In Worcestershire there are various ways in which foster carers can give support to local children and their families, all of which are greatly valued.

There is no such thing as a typical fostering situation and the care of a child or children could last anything from a few days to years. Children and young people come into care for a variety of reasons.

There are a number of outcomes for the children that we care for. Some children may return to the care of their parents, or another family member. Whilst others may remain in fostering families until they reach independence and will be supported in preparing for this whilst others may move to an adoptive family.

If you decide to progress through the approval process in order to become a foster carer, you will have plenty of opportunity to explore which type of fostering would be right for you and your family.

Short term fostering

Some children need to be cared for away from their home for a short period of time. 

Children who are looked after by foster carers in the short term can be any age. All children will experience distress at being separated from their family and are likely to show some emotional reaction to this. 

Short term fostering can be for a period of days, weeks or sometimes months. Sometimes decisions about the child’s future cannot be made quickly and placements can last a year or longer. 

Long term fostering

If a child is unable to return to the care of their birth family, but adoption is not appropriate for that child, long term foster carers may need to be found to care for them.

As the title suggests, these foster carers will normally care for a child for a longer period of time than a short term carer – often through to independence. 

Children who need long term fostering are likely to be older children. These older children may benefit from keeping in regular contact with their brothers, sisters, parents and wider family.

Respite fostering

Respite foster care is time limited. 

A respite foster carer could care for a child for a week or two at a time, for example during school holidays, or at weekends – and could be the same child on a regular basis. 

Foster carers who offer respite fostering generally look after children who are already cared for on a full time basis by other non-related foster carers, or by kinship carers (extended family members).

A foster carer who is approved as a short term or long term carer can also provide respite care if they have the capacity and you may choose to do this between placements.

Buddy Fostering

The expectation is for the Buddy respite carers to become an extended part of the fostering family network, providing at least 12 respites per year to provide the foster carers and children with a break. 

This connected respite provides consistency for the children and offers the opportunity for the respite carers and children to build a relationship.

Buddy foster care can be compatible with working as it does not require you to be fostering full time.

Buddy Foster Carer leaflet (PDF) 

Parent and child placements

Parents who are unable to meet the child’s most basic needs and protect them, will sometimes need somewhere to live where they can be supported in looking after their baby or young child. 

This type of foster placement can help a family to stay together and is, therefore, highly valued. The foster carer would be asked to give practical and emotional support to help the parent to develop the skills required to meet their own and their child’s needs. 

Specialist Foster Care

A new type of fostering launched to support with providing suitable family homes for children currently residing within residential children’s homes. 

Children as young as five years old are needing suitable fostering families, this type of fostering provides additional support from therapists, professionals and workers to ensure that the child’s needs are met and carers are well supported in meeting their needs to offer them long term alternative care. 

Worcestershire Specialist Fostering booklet (PDF)