Therapeutic, emergency and parent & baby placements

Our special placement scheme provides therapeutic care to children from seven years on, emergency care is generally very short term care and parent & baby placements involve family-based care for both a parent and baby.

The special placement scheme

Our special placement scheme is well established and provides therapeutic care for children whilst still being able to live within a family. The foster carers on this scheme work as part of a small team and work equally closely with the therapists and consultants we use.

They care for some of our most traumatised and troubled children who we try to bring onto the scheme as young as possible preferably from 8 years old. This is a scheme which offers a high level of support and financial remuneration. Being a foster carer on the special placement scheme is a full time job and requires absolute dedication.

It is a 24/7 commitment and it can start with difficulties
but this eases off as you go along
Foster carer talking about parent & baby placements

To apply to be a foster carer on this scheme you would normally need to have experience of fostering and also experience and skills of working in a therapeutic way with very troubled children.

Some part-time foster carers with the same kind of skills and experience can offer short breaks, (for example at week-ends and the school holidays) for the children on the scheme. This is to give them and their main foster carers some time off.

Emergency placements

We have a rota of foster carers who are able to keep a spare room available for emergencies. You would need to have some experience as a foster carer before offering to join the rota. Children and young people sometimes need a safe family in an emergency on an evening, in the night or at the week end.

Parent & baby placements

I can relate to the experiences of the young mums as I was a young mum myself and I know how petrifying it can be. It can be such a help to have someone who can support and guide you.'
Parent & baby foster carer

The aim of this scheme is to provide a safe, family based placement for parent and baby in a foster home. Foster carers play a key role in the assessment of parents and their ability to care for their baby. Placements last on average about 12 weeks.

If you are interested in offering a parent and baby placement you will need to gain some experience of fostering first to develop some of the skills you will need for this role.

Foster carers have said they find parent & baby placements challenging but a very worthwhile and rewarding experience.