ALL ABOUT FOSTERING
types of fostering
the process
support & training
money & finance
the rewards of fostering
fostering myths

ALL ABOUT FOSTERING

TYPES OF FOSTERING:
Permanent or Long-Term Fostering
The foster family usually carers for the child until they reach adulthood. At no point will foster carers
assume any legal responsibility for the child – this will always be held by the Local Authority and Birth
Parents.
Private Fostering
When parents make an arrangement for their child to stay with someone (for 28 days or more) who is
not a close relative. Social Services must be informed and will undertake checks to ensure that the
child is being cared for within a set of guidelines.
Short-Term Fostering
Involves the carers looking after a child for a few weeks or months (sometimes longer) while permanent
plans are made for the child.
Emergency Foster Care
Caring for children who need somewhere safe to stay immediately, usually for a few nights.
Short Break Care
Usually involves children living with their own foster family and having short breaks with another foster
family. This most often applies to children with a disability.
Remand Fostering
Caring for young people who are ‘remanded’ by the court into the care of the local authority.
Kinship Care
Children are cared for by people they already know – such as family, friends and other people
connected to them.
Parent & Child or Mother and Baby Care
Usually involves carers looking after a parent and their child (often young mothers and their newborn
babies) and preparing them for the future.
Staying Put
Staying Put is the arrangement whereby care leavers can choose to live with their foster carers beyond
the age of 18, and until they are 21 in some cases.