Foster care is when children who cannot live with their biological parents temporarily stay with other individuals or families. This is sometimes known as temporary guardianship and can happen for various reasons that make it unsafe or impossible for the child to live with their birth family. This can include neglect, abuse, parental substance abuse, or other circumstances. Child protective services oversee this arrangement and aim to ensure the safety and well-being of the child.
Fostering aims to provide children and young people with a stable and nurturing environment. Therefore, allowing time for the children's biological parents to work towards resolving the issues that led to the fostering placement. Moreover, fostering systems often involve collaboration between government agencies, supervising social workers, caregivers, and non-profit organisations dedicated to child safety and welfare.
Family reunification is always the preferred outcome, pursued when it is deemed safe and in the child's best interest. However, in situations where returning to the biological family is not possible, adoption by the foster family may be considered as a permanent solution.
Furthermore, being a foster parent requires flexibility, patience, and a genuine commitment to the foster child's well-being. Foster parents are instrumental in helping foster children navigate challenging circumstances, providing them with a foundation for a brighter future.
What is a foster carer?
A foster carer, also known as a foster mother, father, or parent, provides a temporary home for children or young people who cannot live with their biological families. These individuals step into a parental role, offering a safe and stable environment for children during challenging periods. Creating a nurturing environment is essential for the child's or young person's well-being and development.
In the latest Government Fostering report, it was revealed that in England, there were 59,380 approved mainstream foster carers as of the 31st of March 2023. Of these, 11% were approved during the year.
Foster parents work closely with social workers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the system. They act as child advocates, ensuring the well-being and rights of the child are a priority. This role underscores the importance of foster parent responsibilities, which extend beyond providing a home to actively supporting the child's needs and rights.
They typically undergo training and evaluation to become licensed or certified. Foster parents in therapeutic care receive additional training and support. This process helps prepare them for the unique challenges of caring for vulnerable children—especially those who have experienced trauma and may require special attention and care.
When looking after children in your care, you must be adaptable and flexible. The length of a child's stay can vary, ranging from short—to long-term fostering requirements.
Fostering a child is a commitment that requires empathy, patience, and a genuine desire. Foster parent's efforts are crucial in the overall foster care system.
What is a foster care provider?
A foster care provider, or foster home provider, is either an individual or an organisation—that offers care and a temporary home to children who are unable to live with their biological families. This term broadly encompasses the components and participants within the foster care system.
What is short-term foster care?
Short-term foster care provides temporary care for children and young people in need. A social worker usually places a child or young person in short-term foster care before moving them to a longer-term placement or returning them to their own family.
What is temporary foster care?
Another way to describe short-term foster care is to call it temporary foster care. It usually happens while considering a child's long-term care.
What is long-term foster care?
Long-term foster care or permanent foster care is where a child or young person remains with their foster parent, usually until adulthood. Long-term fostering tends to happen when a child or young person cannot return to their birth family or adoption is not possible.
What is emergency foster care?
A child or young person is placed in emergency foster care to provide them with a safe, temporary living arrangement until they are ready for a longer-term placement or can return home. These short-term placements usually last between a few days and a few weeks.
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Types of foster care
There are several different types of foster care designed to meet the diverse needs of children and families. Here are some common types:
- Traditional
- Respite
- Kinship
- Therapeutic
- Emergency
- Adolescent
- Sibling
- Medically Complex
- Foster-to-Adopt
Independent fostering agencies work to match children with foster parents. They do this against those with the skills and resources to meet each child's unique needs. The main goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment while working towards the best possible outcome for the child.
Who can foster?
The criteria for eligibility to foster can vary. However, generally, individuals and couples who meet certain requirements may be eligible to become foster parents.
Foster care licensing is a formal process that individuals or families must undergo to become authorised foster parents, allowing them to care for children in the foster care system.
Here are common criteria that individuals or couples interested may need to meet:
- Age Requirement
- Health and Physical Fitness
- Background Checks
- Financial Stability
- Stable Housing
- Training and Education
- Licensing and Approval
- Parenting Experience
- Commitment to Teamwork
- Cultural Competence
- Legal Citizenship or Residency
It is a significant responsibility. Therefore, agencies want to ensure foster parents can create a safe and caring environment for their children.
What can disqualify you from becoming a foster carer?
Becoming a foster parent involves a thorough assessment process. Therefore, certain factors may disqualify individuals or couples from being eligible. Although, you should keep in mind that specific disqualifications can vary based on jurisdiction and the policies of individual agencies. Here are common factors that might disqualify someone:
- Criminal History
- History of Child Abuse or Neglect
- Substance Abuse Issues
- Domestic Violence History
- Serious Mental Health Conditions
- Financial Instability
- Lack of Adequate Housing
- Lack of Commitment or Availability
- False Information or Omissions
- Lack of Training or Preparedness
Each case is unique. Therefore, agencies make decisions on an individual basis, considering various factors to determine whether prospective foster parents are eligible. They will base disqualifications against the potential risk factors associated with the applicant.
How much do foster carers get paid?
The amount that foster carers get paid in the UK varies. Payments can depend on factors such as the fostering agency, the region, the child's age, and the level of care required.
Individuals or couples with children in their care will receive an allowance to cover the costs associated with caring for a child. In the UK, this could range from around £130 to £200 per week for a child, but these figures may vary.
Foster care training
Click Learning offers a wide range of foster care training courses designed to help people fostering vulnerable children, including:
- Attachment and Embracing Therapeutic Parenting
- Children's Rights
- Communicating with Children and Young People
- De-escalation Training
- Equality and Diversity
- Fostering and Birth Children
- Men in Foster Care
- Introduction to Reflective Practice
- Food, Nutrition and Associated Behaviours
Furthermore, our training covers areas such as Attachment and Embracing Therapeutic Parenting, Understanding Child Development and Emotion Coaching.
Access over 90 caregiver training courses as part of one simple subscription. Find out more here.
Foster Care Courses
