Types of Fostering
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Long term fostering (Permanence)
More and more children need long term, permanent foster homes. This is because they can’t return home or find new adoptive families or because adoption isn’t the right option for them. They therefore need the stability and security that only long-term foster care can provide.
If you choose to give this sort of care then you’re making a commitment to a foster child to give them a home for as long as they need it into adulthood. The majority of children are around the ages of 9 or 10 although they may be older than this. Once they’re placed with you you’ll generally look after them until they’re 18 or perhaps longer if they continue onto further education.
It differs from adoption, as although you are the young persons carer you do not replace their birth parents, who they may retain some contact with and the child will not take your name. However they will become a part of your family, giving you plenty of time to support their development, create many happy memories and make a positive difference to their life.
Short term fostering (Task)
Although we call it short term fostering it could actually involve a foster placement for days, weeks, months and in some cases up to 2 years. This is usually the type of fostering most people think of when they talk about it.
Children will be placed with you for a variety of reasons. They could be waiting for a new adoptive family; they might have been removed from their birth family while investigations are carried out into their care, or they could be waiting for a longer-term foster placement. So you might have a large number of foster children to take care of over a relatively short period of time.
This means you’ll need the ability to build relationships easily so children feel comfortable in your home and with your family but also be able to say ‘goodbye’ and move on. You’ll also need to be flexible in your approach to caring for each child who comes into your home.
If you’d like to find out how you can care for a child and give them some happy memories of their childhood give us a call on 0114 273 5075 or drop us a line through our contact form.
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