Fostering

In this section:

• Becoming a foster carer
  Applying to become a foster carer takes several months. Sometimes the process can seem daunting and includes preparation, training, medicals, references and home study. The assessment is to ensure that we find carers who can meet the needs of children in our care.
• Different types of fostering
  This is also known as task centred fostering. A placement can last between one night and several months, depending on the circumstances and the legal situation. Short term fostering occurs when a child needs to leave their home, for various reasons, with the intention that they return home once any difficulties have been sorted out.
• Support for foster carers
  Foster carers receive financial help to cover the costs of looking after a child. They receive a weekly allowance to cover day-to-day expenses like clothing, food and household costs involved in looking after each child. The amount varies depending on the age of the child being fostered. Additional expenses such as bus fares or car mileage will be paid to carers who take a child to his or her school. Payments to purchase school uniforms will be given if necessary.
• What is fostering
  Fostering is about looking after children in a safe and secure environment when they can't live with their own families.
• Who can foster
  Foster carers come from all different walks of life. Our main concern is that you can offer a child a safe and secure environment and can understand some of the child's feelings and worries.