Take a look at the different types of foster carers we need, to see which might be right for you:
Foster carers for unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people (UASC)
An unaccompanied asylum seeking child or young person is typically aged 12 years old and above, and may have arrived at very short notice (for example, at the airport). They will be alone, often without travel or identity documentation, without the protection of birth parents or family, and will likely have very few or no personal belongings.
The first few days are crucial in helping vulnerable children feel welcomed, safe and cared for in a new and unknown country.
We have an urgent need for UASC foster carers who can provide a safe and secure home environment, with the understanding that:
- the child may have escaped from conflict or turmoil in their home country and will need to feel loved and cared for
- often these children and young people may have had a difficult and traumatic journey to reach the UK
- English may not be the child's first language and that they will not be in education.
UASC foster carers will receive the foster carer's allowance, ranging from £377.24 to £447.74 per week (depending on the age of the child). There is additional funding available for set up clothing/equipment - this is discussed during the assessment.
One of our experienced supervising social workers will be there for you throughout your fostering journey. They will answer any questions you may have and can help if you need some support or reassurance.
Respite foster carers
We need respite foster carers who can provide valuable, temporary care to a child who lives with another foster carer - either to give the foster carer a break or to give the child a breather from their regular foster care placement.
You can provide respite to fit in with your own commitments; for example, if you have free weekends or are free during the school holidays, you can provide respite care for 1 child or more than 1 child, depending on the needs of the child or the foster carer.
Respite fostering is a way of being involved in caring for a child to gain more experience yourself and increase your skills. Sometimes people start off providing respite fostering and then feel they can do more regular fostering and are assessed for short-term fostering.
Short-term foster carers
Short-term foster carers provide a loving and stable home, supporting and caring for a child - or more than 1 child (either siblings or children from different families) - from birth to 18-years-old for as long as needed, this could be anywhere from a few days up to 2 years. In some cases, this can be longer than 2 years.
When you are being assessed, you can specify which age range you would like to consider - this will depend on your skills, your personal wishes and considerations of your own family.
The majority of children will return to their family home or to extended family once their situation has been resolved.
You will play a crucial role in ensuring the child has regular contact with their own family and help prepare for their move back home.
In situations where the child is unable to go back home, sometimes the short-term care you provide can lead to long-term care - if it is right for you and the child.
Long-term foster carers
If children are not able to go back to their own family or extended family, they may need to be looked after on a long-term basis.
We need long-term foster carers who:
- are prepared to care for a child, provide a home for them, offer guidance, support and stability during their childhood years (until they reach adulthood or are able to live independently)
- will support the child to keep in touch / have contact with family members while they are in long-term foster care (this is arranged and discussed with the child's social worker and your social worker).
Long-term fostering placements are carefully planned. Children are matched with carers who are available, committed to the long-term and are able to meet the child's ethnic, religious and cultural needs, while providing a nurturing home where they can grow and mature into independent young people.
Long-term foster carers and children often develop lasting relationships and stay in contact with each other after the child has moved on to independence.
Parent and child foster carers
Parent and child fostering is where you foster a parent (or parents) and their child for a limited amount of time (usually up to 12 weeks, but it can be longer).
Parents in this situation have often come from the care system themselves and would look to you to show them practical and emotional support in caring for their child. We need parent and child foster carers who can:
- support the parent(s) and give them advice, supervision and safeguarding
- give them practical advice and provide emotional support, while they learn to parent their child
- be flexible and on-hand during the night - particularly in the early stages with a newborn baby
- assess the parent with their child in your home and submit regular reports based on your observations (this is to support their development).
Ultimately, the goal is for the child to feel loved, safe and secure, and for the parent(s) to feel supported and confident, so they can look after their child on their own when they leave the fostering placement.
Register your interest to foster