Types of fostering

Many children will eventually return to their families, this may take a matter of days or weeks so we need short-term foster carers. In other cases it may take much longer and children could be living with foster carers for a number of years, even into adulthood until they are ready to live independently.

Short term and temporary placements

Foster carers look after children for short periods ranging from a few days or months up to two years. Children in these placements may return to their birth family or move on to a permanent placement through long-term fostering or adoption.

Long term and permanent placements

Foster carers provide children and young people with a family throughout their childhood and support them into adulthood.

Short break and respite placements

Foster carers offer children a series of short breaks. They give respite to other foster carers who normally care for the child or to the child's birth family.

Emergency placements

Foster carers offer children immediate placements outside normal office hours. Children usually stay in these emergency placements for only a few days until a more permanent alternative is found.

Connected carer placements

Foster carers look after children who have been placed with them and are already known to them.