Short term fostering that can last for a few days, weeks, and even many months. A very important type of fostering that gives stability to children and young people while plans and decisions are made about their future.
This is when children and young people are unable to return to their birth family. It’s a long-term commitment until the child reaches adulthood.
Parent and child fostering
Where a carer opens their home to a child and their parent(s). Provides a safe place to live while parenting capacity is assessed. The carer’s role is to support the parent(s), teaching skills, and helping with the assessment. An incredibly rewarding type of fostering that is the reason for many families being able to stay together.
Emergency foster care
When children need to be looked after in an emergency, they need a place of safety for a brief time. Emergency foster carers will care for children until they are able to return home or move to other foster carers.
Part-time foster carers provide planned sleepovers for children who are usually living at home with their birth families. This could be a regular holiday break, weekend or overnight commitment.
Respite fostering
An organised arrangement, where respite foster carers provide a short period of care such as a couple of nights. This allows the child’s carer time to have a break. This may be on a regular basis or one-off.
Get in touch to find out more about the different types of fostering with Plymouth council: