Types of foster carer

Foster carers come in all shapes and sizes, and so do the children you will look after. This includes the length of time they may stay with you. Depending on the child's needs, foster carers can step in from just a weekend a month to offer respite care.

Male with a boy teenager in kitchen and smiling at him

Each child that comes into care is different and has their own circumstances. Children could be on their own, or part of a family group of brothers and sisters. If we can find a foster home with enough space for siblings to be kept together, it makes things just that little bit easier for children at an already difficult time.

You'll work out which type of foster care you and your family are best suited to as you go through the assessment process with your council's specialist social workers.

Different types of fostering

Short-term fostering

Short-term fostering involves temporarily caring for a child until a permanent plan is made. This can be for a few days, or up to two years, but is often much shorter.

Long-term fostering

Children who are going to be in care for some time without the opportunity for adoption, benefit hugely from a long-term foster family.

Short break or respite fostering

Short break foster carers step in to give children and their families a break from their usual living arrangements. A weekend's worth of fostering might be all that is needed.

Specialist fostering

Children with special educational needs or disabilities may need a specialist foster carer. You may already have experience of this kind of care, or may have transferable skills from your place of work. Training is available.

Parent and child fostering

Parent and child fostering is when a young person, who may be in the later stages of pregnancy or has a new born baby, comes to live with a foster family.

Unaccompanied asylum seeking children

There are a growing number of children in the East of England who have arrived in the UK with no responsible adult to care for them.

Supported lodgings

Supported lodgings foster care can be made available to children aged 16 to 18 as they become an independent adult.

See more (Go to Different types of fostering)

Which types of fostering are right for you?

Whether it's fostering for a weekend, a week, a month, a year or more, sharing your heart and home can shape a child's life and future for the better. If you think you could provide care and support for a child in our region, please get in touch.