Types of fostering
Lots of people don’t realise that there are many different types of fostering and that being a foster carer does not always involve a fulltime commitment.
Types of
fostering
Types of
fostering
There are many types of fostering that you could consider. Some carers choose to specialise in one area of fostering, but others may opt to take children with a variety of needs
Short term fostering
Short term placements may last a few days but can continue for up to about two years. You’ll be asked to provide a safe and secure home environment for a child to live in, while Children’s Services work with the child’s family and work out a long-term plan. At the same time you and Children’s Services will help the child understand what is happening, and find out what they need to grow up safely.
The aim of a short-term placement is to help the children return home to their own family or, if this is not
possible, to support them to move on to a permanent placement - either an adoptive family or long term foster carer. We try to place children in a planned way s that you will have lots of information about them before you meet them. However, sometimes children need to be placed in an
emergency in order to make sure that a child, who may be at risk of harm, is in a safe place.
emergency in order to make sure that a child, who may be at risk of harm, is in a safe place.
Long term fostering
Sometimes it becomes clear that children will not be able to return to live with their own families. Perhaps the family has not been able to change their lifestyle in a way that will protect the child from harm, or the parent’s mental or physical illness has deteriorated. Many parents love their children dearly, however, because of things that have happened in their own lives, they may never be able to care for them safely.
You’ll provide a safe and secure home for children to grow up in and help prepare them for adult life, whilst at the same time help to keep them in contact with their birth family and relatives.
Respite fostering
Depending on your circumstances, you may want to think about respite fostering. Respite usually takes place at weekends and school holidays to support a child in placement with one of our existing foster carers. It could also be for a child in a residential school who needs some family life.
Respite fostering is ideal for families, couples or single people who work full-time but still want to make a difference to a child’s life. It may also provide you with valuable insight and skills should you feel nervous about becoming a full time foster carer.
Respite fostering is ideal for families, couples or single people who work full-time but still want to make a difference to a child’s life. It may also provide you with valuable insight and skills should you feel nervous about becoming a full time foster carer.
“Caring for a disabled child is definitely a challenge, especially when they are not well, but when you see the smiles and excitement on their face when they see you, it really makes it so worthwhile."
Gertrude, foster carer
“Fostering can be hard work and challenging but the rewards are fantastic. Many teenagers put up barriers and need lots of emotional support but over time they become part of the family.
It is so lovely to watch them transform and become happier and doing well.”
It is so lovely to watch them transform and become happier and doing well.”
Veronica, foster carer
Specialist Fostering
Tower Hamlets’ specialist fostering scheme is a challenging but hugely rewarding role caring for young people aged 11-17 years. These young people will have had very difficult experiences and will have spent much of their childhood feeling unsafe and uncared for. Some will be out of school, have little routine in their lives and may feel rejected, unhappy or rebellious.
But it is not too late to turn things around. We’re looking for foster carers who can offer heaps of empathy, understanding and patience. In recognition of this challenging role, specialist foster carers receive enhanced allowances and lots of clinical supervision. If you are interested in learning more about our specialist fostering scheme, please ask for a copy of our, ‘Make all the difference’, booklet.
But it is not too late to turn things around. We’re looking for foster carers who can offer heaps of empathy, understanding and patience. In recognition of this challenging role, specialist foster carers receive enhanced allowances and lots of clinical supervision. If you are interested in learning more about our specialist fostering scheme, please ask for a copy of our, ‘Make all the difference’, booklet.
Caring for children with disabilities
We have children who are diagnosed with a wide range of disabilities. You could be working with a child with limited mobility for example or perhaps a child who struggles with learning or engaging with others. A dedicated and supportive carer can really help to significantly improve a child’s life experiences. For children with more complex health needs, we offer an enhanced fee in recognition of your specialist skills.
Parent and baby fostering
A parent and child placement is a specialist type of fostering where a parent and their own child, often a young mother and baby, come to stay in your home to have extra support and guidance.
There are many reasons for a parent and child placement but most often, a mum is having difficulties looking after her new baby. They may not have experienced great parenting themselves and so need an experienced parental figure to help them become a better parent.
The foster carer has an important role observing and recording how the parent looks after the child and works with other professionals to identify additional support which may be needed in the future. Parent and child fostering can be very rewarding but is also complex and challenging and due to this there are additional fees and allowances offered to foster carers who are able to offer their commitment to this crucial role. Parent and baby foster carers make a real difference to the lives of children.
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There are many reasons for a parent and child placement but most often, a mum is having difficulties looking after her new baby. They may not have experienced great parenting themselves and so need an experienced parental figure to help them become a better parent.
The foster carer has an important role observing and recording how the parent looks after the child and works with other professionals to identify additional support which may be needed in the future. Parent and child fostering can be very rewarding but is also complex and challenging and due to this there are additional fees and allowances offered to foster carers who are able to offer their commitment to this crucial role. Parent and baby foster carers make a real difference to the lives of children.
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With such a wide range of fostering opportunities, get in touch to explore if fostering is right for you.
Enquire now!
With such a wide range of fostering opportunities, get in touch to explore if fostering is right for you.