Becoming a foster carer in England
Types of foster care
There are many types of foster care. The application process is similar for all types.
Long term
You foster children who cannot go back to their birth family but do not want to be adopted. Usually, you’ll be their foster carer until they’re an adult.
Short term
You look after children for up to 2 years while plans are made for their future.
‘Family and friends’ or ‘kinship’
You care for a child who you know or is part of your family - for example, your grandchild. Contact your council for information about becoming a ‘family and friends’ or ‘kinship’ carer.
Emergency
You give a child somewhere safe to stay for a few nights. This is usually unplanned and you could get less than 24 hours’ notice.
Respite and short breaks
You care for children while their parents or usual foster carers take a break.
Remand
You take care of young people who’ve been remanded by a court and are awaiting trial. You’ll usually need specialist training to be this type of foster carer.
Parent and child
You care for a parent and their baby or young child. You also help the parent to develop the skills they need to care for their child. This sometimes starts when the parent is still pregnant.
Fostering for adoption
You foster babies or young children who you may go on to adopt. If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.
You need to have been approved as an adopter by a local council or agency to do fostering for adoption.
Specialist therapeutic
You provide specialist therapeutic care to children and young people with complex needs or challenging behaviour. This is for experienced foster carers or those with certain skills.