Types of Fostering

 

 

• Temporary care
• Permanent care
• Respite care
• Emergency care
• Private fostering
• Kinship care
  

 

Temporary care

Temporary foster carers look after children and young people for periods lasting from one day up to a number of months.

After this time children may move back to their birth parents or, if this is not possible, plans will be made for them to move from their temporary foster carers to more permanent placements.

 

 

Permanent care

Some children need a permanent foster carer when all attempts to return them to birth parents have not worked.

Permanent foster care provides planned placements for children for a number of years, until they are able to live independently. This allows the child to grow up in a safe and supported family environment whilst generally having some contact with their birth family.

Children who need this type of care are usually school age up to teenagers.

 

Respite care

Respite foster carers look after children for a few days, perhaps over a weekend or evening, to support the child’s family or foster carer.

Some families caring for children with disabilities welcome the opportunity for their child to be cared for in a safe and secure environment.

 

 

Emergency care

When a child needs to be accommodated out with office hours their care is provided by an emergency foster carer.

Generally these will be families with experience of caring for children. The child can remain with the Emergency carer for up to three days.

 

Private fostering

Private fostering is the term used when a child or young person (under 16) is cared for by an adult who is not a close relative, for a period of more than 28 days.

This is different from public fostering as it is normally arranged privately between the child’s parent and the carer.

Both private foster carers and parents are required to notify us before such an arrangement begins so that we can ensure that the best interests of the child are taken into account.

 

Kinship care

Kinship care, or 'family and friends foster care' is the term used when a child is cared for by a close friend or relative.

Unless there are clear reasons why placement within the family would not be in the child’s best interests, care within the wider family and community circle will be the first option for the child.

Financial assistance may be available, depending on your financial circumstances, and child benefit and tax credits can be claimed. You can get more information from the Fostering Network and Scottish Government websites.