About fostering
What is fostering?
There are different t
ypes of fostering, you may want to try different types of fostering, or specialise in a specific area.
Fostering is looking after a child or young person who can’t live with their own family. All children are unique, so there are lots of different reasons they need to be with foster carers.
Some children may need to be cared for, for only a short time until they can return home, while others will stay with foster carers for longer until they reach independence.
Your love and kindness will make a huge difference to our children and young people. It could be the most rewarding thing you will ever do.
What are the different types of fostering?
Short Term
Short term fostering provides children with a temporary place to stay. This is until they can return to their birth family, move to a long term fostering home or they are adopted. Short term foster carers will care for children for between a few days or a year.
Long Term
Long-term fostering is caring for a child as a member of your family until they can live independently. This type of fostering is a good alternative to adoption.
Children in long-term foster care may have lacked the attachment to an adult which is vital to their development. They need your commitment so they can attach to you safely without fear of further loss.
Emergency
Emergency fostering means taking a child into your home at very short notice. It usually involves children staying with you for a few nights while a more suitable home is found. It can happen at any time.
Respite
Respite fostering is looking after children to give other foster carers a break. You will care for children for anywhere between a few days to two weeks. It is planned and may occur at regular intervals.
Teenage Fostering
As a foster carer for teenagers you will be crucial to giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence to successfully move on to adulthood.
Parent and Baby Fostering
Parent and baby fostering provides a home for a young parent and their baby when they are unable to live with their own family. You will give them confidence to take on the responsibility of caring for their children.
What is Adoption?
Adoption is the legal process by which a child who cannot be brought up within their birth family become full, permanent and legal members of their new family.
Adoption differs from fostering in that Adopters become the child’s legal parents with the same rights and responsibilities as if the child were born to them.
If you are thinking about adoption, please visit our Adoption in Merseyside website for more information.
