Types of Foster Care
Respite
These are planned short breaks for children who may be living at home or with other Foster Carers. The children who require respite care are often from 5 years old and some may have special needs. We also have a specialist scheme for children with disabilities, called Family Link.
Emergency
Situations can often arise at short notice. This could be during the night or at weekends and involve taking a child or sibling group for a short period of time in an emergency situation.
Short-term
This is the most frequent type of care required. It involves providing care for a wide range of children including babies, primary age children and teenagers. Placements can vary from a few weeks to several years. During this time plans are made for children to return to their family or for permanent care which could be adoption.
Long term/Permanent
Stability and security is of paramount importance and long term Foster Carers can provide this. It is usually suitable for older children who have contact with members of their family and differs from adoption, in that parental responsibility remains with the child's parents and/or the local authority.
Kinship
There are often cases where the best interests of the child are served by them being looked after by a member of their own extended family. Where this is agreed family members can be assessed and supported as foster carers.
Private
This is where family members make private arrangements with others to care for their children. The local authority will carry out checks on these arrangements.