Types of fostering
As no two children are the same, there are many different types of foster care. Some children and young people may just need fostering for a few nights, while others need a more permanent family environment.
Which type of fostering is right for you?
While you’re going through the process of becoming a foster parent, we’ll help you decide which type of fostering is best for you and your family. We’ll prepare you for each kind of foster care and discuss your experience, availability and circumstances so you can make an informed decision.
We offer several types of fostering to ensure we meet each child and young person’s requirements, matching them with the best kind of foster home for their situation.
Some children and young people need help transitioning from residential care to a family home, while others may need a caring family environment for several years. And some may have specific needs, such as a disability or a young child of their own to care for.
No matter which type of fostering you choose, at FCA, we’ll be by your side throughout your fostering journey. We provide high-quality training and 24/7 support that gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence to make a difference in the lives of children and young people.
If you’d like to discuss the different types of fostering in more detail, please get in touch.
Discover how fostering will affect your finances
Don’t let finances be the barrier to starting your fostering journey, discover our essential guide to allowances, tax, National Insurance and claiming benefits whilst fostering.
What are the different types of foster care?
Short-term fostering
Short-term fostering provides care for a child over a set period while longer-term plans are made. Placements can last from a few nights to several months, offering stability and support during times of uncertainty and change.
Emergency fostering
Emergency fostering offers immediate care for children who need a safe place at short notice. Placements are usually very short-term, lasting from a few hours to several days, providing protection, stability, and reassurance during urgent situations.
Fostering teenagers
Fostering teenagers gives young people the support they need to navigate challenges and prepare for adulthood. You’ll help them build confidence, develop independence, and move towards a positive and stable future.
Parent and Child Fostering
Parent and child fostering supports young parents who need extra help to care for their child.
As a foster carer, you’ll provide a safe and stable home while guiding a parent through the early stages of raising their child. This includes offering practical support, building their confidence, and helping them develop essential parenting skills.
Placements can include a mother, father, or both parents, with one or more children — not always just babies.
It’s a highly rewarding role where you’ll make a lasting impact on two lives at once.
More types of fostering
Long-term fostering
Long-term fostering provides a stable home for children who cannot return to their birth families. These placements can last for several years, offering consistency, security, and the opportunity to build lasting relationships into adulthood.
Respite fostering
Respite fostering provides short breaks for foster families and carers when extra support is needed. Placements are usually brief, lasting from a few hours to a few days, helping maintain stability and wellbeing for everyone involved.
Sibling fostering
Sibling fostering keeps brothers and sisters together in a supportive home environment. Staying together helps maintain important relationships, providing comfort, stability, and reassurance while they adjust to life in foster care.
Fostering children with disabilities
Fostering children with disabilities provides tailored care for children with additional needs. You’ll offer a supportive environment while helping with daily routines, ensuring children can thrive and reach their full potential.
Step down fostering
Step down fostering supports young people moving from residential care into a family home. It helps them adjust to a new environment, build relationships, and develop the skills needed for a more stable future.
Sanctuary seeking fostering
Sanctuary seeking fostering supports children who arrive in the UK without a parent or guardian. You’ll provide a safe, stable home while helping them adjust to a new environment and access the support they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of children need fostering?
There are a host of reasons why they need foster care. It may be because of a family illness, family breakdown and problems at home, or a situation where their welfare is threatened. Many will have experienced neglect and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
Can I choose the kind of fostering referral I have?
Yes, when you join FCA we really get to know you and your family so we have an understanding of your preferences, skills and qualities. Our aim is for the children and young people in care to have a positive fostering experience in a stable environment. We work really hard to ensure when we put you forward to care for a child and young person so we have the best possible match. We understand that there may be times where you turn down a referral and we will always respect your decision.
What is fostering?
Fostering is providing a safe and stable family home for a child or young person who can’t live with their birth family. There are many reasons why children need foster care.
What training will I receive as a foster parent?
We pride ourselves on being a learning organisation and are proactive in helping both our foster parents and employees to develop their skills, knowledge and experience.
We are committed to providing high quality training that is accessible and relevant to all of our foster parents.
What kind of support will I receive?
We wouldn’t expect anyone to foster without the right support, so when you foster with FCA you are not alone.
Become a foster parent with us and you have access to:
- Social Work Support– you will have a dedicated supervising social worker who is your main point of contact and will organise monthly meetings and support for you whenever you need it
- 24 / 7 support
- Training and development – We will prepare you to foster and keep developing your skills with an ongoing training programme featuring both face to face and online courses thorough our Learnative portal.
- Events and activities – we host a range of events and activities for all the family to enjoy.
- Online portal – Join our online community with our portal The Exchange just for FCA foster parents. It gives you free and instant access to information and advice right when you need it – day or night, 365 days a year. Plus access to a range of discounts to some major retailers and online stores.
- Fostering Network membership – useful and practical benefits, including insurance, legal protection, medical and stress advice helplines, as well as a foster care magazine.
Do I get any breaks or holidays while fostering?
We do offer respite your supervising social worker can speak to you about what it entails.
How can we help?
Ready to start fostering a child or young person? Or just want a bit more information to help you decide whether fostering is for you? All you need to do is contact us.
Enquiry Form
The company takes the requirements of GDPR seriously in ensuring the privacy and lawful processing of personal data provided to us by you. Please view our privacy notice which explains how the company will manage and use your personal data. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
By Phone
Call a member of our friendly fostering team and they’ll be able to answer all your questions
By Email
Email our team by completing our online enquiry form
Live chat
Have a chat with one of our dedicated fostering professionals
Visit an office
We are always happy for you to pop in for a chat