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Types of Fostering
The future, it’s always a bit of an adventure isn’t it. You never know what to expect. But thinking about a future as a foster carer offers more adventure than most. Plenty of surprises too. For example, we doubt you realised quite how many different types of foster care there are. After all, a lot of people presume that foster care is all or nothing. Foster care doesn’t have to mean a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week commitment. There are a wide range of children who need looking after from anything from one day a week, every week, to every day for the remainder of their childhood – and everything in-between. You can care for toddlers or teens or even be involved in specialist care…….it all comes down to what’s best for you and the children.
Short Term Fostering Ranging from an overnight stay to three months, this usually results from problems or illness in the family, or from the child being harmed or abused in some way. Offering a safe place for them to live, you'll help them to understand what's happening and offer support, whilst social services work with the family to return the child home as soon as possible.
Intermediate Sometimes children are unable to return home within three months. They may need to be looked after for up to two years. This is a more significant period of care for a child and it will be important for you to help them maintain links with their family.
Long-term Despite loving their children dearly, some parents are unable to change their lives in a way that will protect them. In such cases, these children will not be able to go back and live with their own families even though they may want to. You can help by offering a child the chance to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, where they’ll receive proper care and attention and the opportunity to keep in touch with their family.
Short Breaks (Part –time Caring) This involves having children to stay with you for a short time so that their families and carers can have a regular break. From a few hours each week to a weekend a month, for planned breaks and sometimes in an emergency, you can provide help and support to many families. Providing this type of foster care is something you can fit into your daily life, combining it with your other commitments such as a full-time job. Part –time foster care is always planned. So you’ll know exactly when a young person will be staying with you and for how long.
Part-Time Caring For Disabled Children Part time caring is for children and young people who have disabilities and live in Cheshire. For you, it is something you might be able to fit around your daily routines and combine offering short break care with fostering commitments and other employment. It’s important for families of disabled children to have a short break on occasions. Whether it is for a day, a weekend or during the school holidays, parents need to spend time with their own children or each other, safe in the knowledge that their child is happy and well cared for in a loving family home. It also aims to offer social opportunities to children who may have become isolated from peers and the community. Part time caring is more planned, regular and short periods, but it is hoped that a link may become well established over the longer period. As a foster carer, you’ll have the opportunity to care for many different types of children and young people.
Teenagers Teenage years can be and some of us may well remember feeling insecure and misunderstood. But for a young person who has gone through particularly distressing experiences at home, it can be a very unsettling time. Sometimes circumstances reach the point when they can no longer remain at home with their parents. This is a critical stage in their lives and without appropriate guidance and support, there is a risk they might get into behaviour and lifestyles that could seriously affect their future.
As a foster carer it’s up to you to see through to the vulnerable young person inside. To help them navigate the turbulent times of adolescence and to listen carefully to the individual – not the image.
Teenagers, like all young people, need foster carers who are tolerant, patient and flexible, but who can also set clear and consistent boundaries, so they know where they stand. You need to ‘actively’ listen, help make sense of what to them may seem a confused world and let them know they’ve got someone to talk to who really cares.
Young people often need help to develop the maturity and skills they need to organise their lives. Helping them to manage their feelings, emotions and behaviour, enjoy time with their family and friends, and to feel good about themselves and their achievements – can make all the difference.
Relationships made with foster carers can remain important to a teenager even after they have moved on. Knowing that someone who cares is only a phone call away or that they will receive a warm welcome if they go and visit really matters.
Fostering teenagers can be hard work and challenging. But we’ll be with you all the way, ensuring you experience the best rewards imaginable - by giving a teenager a home.
Disabled children Every child is unique. And disabled children have the same needs as other children.
On a daily basis, Cheshire County Councils looks after over 150 disabled children. ‘Disabled’ may include a learning disability, physical disability, sensory impairment or a combination of these. Many people are fearful of disability, believing they do not have the knowledge or skills. Cheshire County Council will provide you with all of the training and support that you need to enable you to overcome these fears and help you realise the enormous rewards. When caring for a disabled child it is important that you have the ability to view disability positively, so that you are able to support, challenge negative attitudes and encourage development of a positive self-image for the child in your care.
Large Groups of Brothers and Sisters Staying together is very important to children who have had changes in their lives. They need the security and comfort of each other as much as they need you. We always need people to take on groups of brothers and sisters, and if this type of care appeals to you, you might find yourself caring for two, three, four or even more children.
Mother and baby You may feel able to help young mothers who need support and security and that you can teach and encourage them without taking over their responsibilities as mothers. Your support will help them to develop the maturity and skills they need to organise their lives.
Remember, fostering is hugely satisfying, extremely rewarding and great fun. It offers carers many different opportunities to make a difference in a child’s life. You will be given all the appropriate training and support that you need, including financial assistance and special equipment where necessary.
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