Types of foster care
There are several ways of fostering children. You may also be already be in a private fostering arrangement and need to tell us.
Emergency
You will be an experienced foster carer who is able to take a child at very little notice, day or night.
Short term
When a child has a foster carer for a few weeks or months while the child's future is planned and agreed.
Permanent placements
After working with a family, it may be agreed that the best option for a child is to remain with their current foster carer. In these situations we need foster carers who can take a child for a number of years.
Intensive Support Services Fostering (ISS)
ISS foster carers look after more challenging children and young people aged 8+ who risk being placed in residential care. These placements are supported by a fully integrated support package.
To be an ISS foster carer you will need
- to have no children under 16 years living at home
- to be available at all times (one of you if you're a couple)
- to have three years previous experience in relevant paid or voluntary work, preferably working with challenging young people aged 8 - 17 years
- to demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills and a strong commitment to ongoing professional development.
Supported Lodgings Scheme
Under this scheme young people can remain with their foster carer after the age of 18 for support and advice as they move towards independence.
Other young people leaving care may also benefit from a foster carer's support at this stage. In law they are no longer a child so take more responsibility for themselves alongside the foster carers support.
