Short term fostering

Providing full time care for up to two years

The children you will be looking after come into care for different reasons. It may be their own parents are having major problems in looking after them; they may have suffered abuse or neglect; their family may be in a crisis due to marital breakdown or violence; there could be mental health or drug misuse problems. Also other members of their own family or friends are not able to look after them.

We have looked after children of all ages from babies to teenagers. Some children have had difficult lives, but once you put down boundaries they respond to this
Foster carer

Coming into foster care can be a very strange and unsettling experience. You would be welcoming them into your home to be part of your family and helping them to feel safe and secure.

The support we give you

You won’t be on your own! There’s a team of people to help. You have your own fostering social worker and each child has their own social worker too.

Whilst you’re doing your bit, the social workers involved will be considering the best options for the child. This may be returning to live with their own family or friends or looking for a permanent foster home. For very young children adoption may be the best choice.

Staying in contact with a child's family

During the time that a child is living with you, which can be up to 2 years or more, it’s important for them to stay in contact with their family and friends. You would need to support this and may help with some of the practical arrangements.