Short-term fostering could mean caring for a child full-time for a few days, weeks or even up to two years or more. During this time, we encourage children to stay in contact with their family.
Respite is where care is provided at weekends and during the school holidays. This is often to allow carers to have a break.
'Permanence', or long-term foster care, is where a child needs a family until they reach adulthood. This type of fostering is usually for children older than seven years old.
It is not just young children who need foster care. Fostering Plus involves looking after young people, aged 12 to 17 years old, and can be a very rewarding way of helping children and young people.
Our special placement scheme provides therapeutic care to children from seven years on. Emergency care is generally very short-term care and parent and baby placements involve family-based care for both a parent and baby.
These are carers who can offer occasional day-care or overnight care for children with disabilities.
You must notify us if you are looking after a child for more than 28 days and are not a close relative.
East Sussex County Council