Types of fostering

The Family Works Fostering team works tirelessly to tailor each individual child or young person’s development by establishing a respectful environment, and by seeking solutions to problems. We work to find exactly the right foster placement for every child and every carer.

These are the types of foster care we regularly offer:

Short and medium-term placements

Sometimes, short-term foster care is required in the interim before children can be moved to a longer-term placement. Foster carers like you can help by giving children all the care and attention they need as they settle into their temporary home and prepare for their next move.

Emergency Fostering

These are same day placements (within 24 hours) the agency should receive a brief synopsis of the young person’s behaviour and placement history, this should be accompanied by a recent report either from the Social Worker or the last placement.

Long term fostering

Sometimes the best solution is for the child to remain with a foster family for several years or up until they’re ready to take care of themselves, which is where long-term foster care comes in. More often than not, the child will become a firm member of your family for the rest of your life.

Parent and child fostering

Parent and child fostering is when specialist foster carers provide homes for one or both parents together with their child. Often the placements are used to assess parenting skills and the ability of the parents to keep their child safe and properly cared for.

Sibling placements

Sibling placements are for brothers and sisters who are placed together in a foster care household. Family Works Fostering advocates keeping siblings together within a family environment, unless it is deemed inappropriate or unsafe by the placing authority.

Respite fostering

This is where the family is supported by a regular break or due to crises within the family. This is usually for 2 days up to 6 weeks and often during weekends and school holidays.