What does fostering involve?
Fostering involves caring for a child or young person who is unable to live with their parents or usual caregivers for a period of time. Foster carers provide a safe, stable and nurturing home while plans are made and reviewed for the child’s future. Every child and young person is unique. They come with their […]
Introduction to fostering
Fostering can make a significant difference in a child’s life. Children and young people may need foster care for many different reasons and for varying lengths of time. During this period, they need safe, stable and nurturing relationships with adults who can help them feel cared for, valued and understood. Foster carers provide day-to-day care […]
Early Permanence
Early Permanence (EP) placements allow babies and young children who may need adopting to be placed with a potential permanent family earlier than a conventional adoption. EP enables a baby or young child in care to find foster carers who are ready to adopt them later, if the courts decide they cannot be cared for […]
Fostering book list
Thinking about fostering? by Henrietta Bond Packed with essential information and advice, this book provides a realistic and honest insight into what it means to look after other people’s children and provide a safe and supportive home. Find out more Promoting resilience by Robbie Gilligan This bestselling guide contains inspirational ideas and suggestions for promoting […]
Types of fostering
There are different types of foster care that are adapted to meet the wide ranging needs of children in care. Fostering can sometimes be a short-term plan where the child will return to their birth families (parents or other family members). In other cases where the child cannot return to their family, fostering can also be a long-term solution […]
Adoption
Adoption is a permanent, legal arrangement where a child joins a new family when the court decides it is not possible for them to be raised by their birth parents or within the birth family. Adopters assume parental responsibility for the child who takes the surname of the new parents and becomes a permanent member […]
Thinking about fostering if you already have children
Families are made up in many different ways, and adoption is one way to extend your family. Considering adoption if you already have a child or children needs careful planning. The motivation to adopt may be for a number of reasons; you may be facing fertility or medical issues, or simply making a conscious choice […]
Your health and fostering
Fostering can be rewarding, meaningful and sometimes demanding. Foster carers help provide safe, stable and nurturing care for children and young people who may have experienced loss, uncertainty, separation, trauma or other challenges in their lives. Looking after your own physical and emotional wellbeing is an important part of being able to meet a child’s […]
Early Years Pupil Premium: Pre-school support funding
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is additional funding for early years pre-school settings to improve the education they provide for disadvantaged 3- and 4 year-olds including, but not restricted to, those adopted from care. The funding goes directly to registered early years providers (including pre-schools, nurseries and childminders) that offer children the free early education […]
Thinking of fostering again?
Many adopters who have experienced the joys of helping a child to settle into their family wish to adopt again. There are many reasons for wanting to welcome another child into the family and adoptive parents will want to consider how this will affect them and the children already in their family. There is also […]