There are several types of foster care allowing people to choose a type which suits their lives and commitments. Which one is right for you?
Type of Foster Carer | Description |
|---|---|
| Link Carers | These carers provide short breaks for children and young people with disabilities living with their families. The carers are linked to the families directly, offering a few hours a week to overnight stays. |
| Connected Persons | Connected persons are carers who already have a relationship with the child/young person such as a family member, teacher or friend. These placements help to maintain normality for the child/young person in care and sustain his/her cultural and individual identity. |
| Respite Carers | These carers provide one off or regular short breaks to children/young people in care. This can relieve stress and help to maintain a child/young person in his/her birth family or foster placement. |
| Supported Lodgings (for young people over 16) | These placements are a stepping stone to help young people leaving care make the transition to living independently. Although not a foster carer in the normal sense, these carers support young people develop essential life skills. |
| Emergency Fostering | Emergency foster carers provide a safe home environment at very short notice which can range from a few hours to a few days. Arrangements are then made for the child to return home or move onto time limited carers. |
| Time Limited Fostering | Time limited foster carers provide a safe place to children to live whilst the social worker works to return the child to its family or find other permanent carers. Placements can range from overnight to weeks or even months. |
| Permanent Fostering | Permanent foster carers often look after children and young people who are unable to return home, providing a stable and support family environment for months or years. |
| Parent and Baby | Parents with babies or very young children are placed together with foster carers to help develop their parenting skills. This is a challenging and complex role which requires a 24 hour commitment. |