Emergency Foster Care
What is Emergency foster care?
Emergency foster care gives children a safe haven when they need to be removed from their current situation urgently. This often happens due to situations like abuse, neglect, or unsafe living conditions. The goal is to ensure the child’s immediate safety during a time of crisis. These placements often happen at short notice and usually last a night or a few days until a longer-term solution is found.
Being an emergency foster carer requires flexibility and keeping calm under pressure. You might get a call at any time, and when you do, it’s about stepping in quickly and confidently. Our emergency service operates 24/7, with dedicated support to ensure a smooth transfer between the Local Authority and our carers.
Emergency fostering is a chance to be there for children when they need it most, offering care, comfort, and a sense of safety during tough times. If you’ve got a flexible lifestyle and want to make a big difference without a long-term commitment, emergency fostering is perfect for you.
What are the benefits of Emergency Foster Care?
Flexibility: Emergency foster care lasts for a shorter period, allowing more flexibility than longer-term foster care.
Care for different age groups: There is a variety of experiences with emergency foster care as you will work with children of different ages and backgrounds.
Enhanced support and training: As you manage urgent situations, you’ll receive enhanced support and training from our team, which you will have access to 24/7.
Personal fulfilment: You’ll know you’ve provided a safe haven for a child through a very difficult period in their life and that you were the first step on a journey to providing them with a more stable environment.
Am I eligible to be a carer?
To become an emergency foster carer, you’ll need to be patient, kind, and ready to support children who may feel scared or confused after coming from difficult backgrounds. If you can be open, flexible, and want to make a positive difference in a young person’s life, you could be the perfect fit.
Here’s what’s needed:
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You are at least 21 years old.
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You are a UK resident.
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You are in good physical and mental health to care for a young person.
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Your home is safe, clean, and comfortable, with a spare bedroom for the child.
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You are resilient, empathetic, and ready to build meaningful connections.
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You are comfortable working with therapists, social workers, teachers, and birth families.
How to become an emergency foster carer
Speak with Us
The first step is to get in touch! We’ll have a chat to learn more about you, answer your questions, and explain what emergency fostering involves. This is your chance to find out if fostering is the right fit for you.
Home Visit
Next, we’ll arrange a visit to your home. Don’t worry - it’s not about perfection! We’ll check that your home is safe and has enough space for a child, and we’ll talk more about what fostering looks like day-to-day.
Application Form
If you’re ready to move forward, you’ll fill out an application form. This gives us all the important details about you, your family, and your background so we can get the ball rolling.
Checks and References
As fostering is such an important role, we’ll carry out thorough checks, including a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and speak with your references. This is to make sure everything is in place to support you and the child you’ll care for.
Fostering Training
Before you welcome a child into your home, you’ll attend our fostering training sessions. These are designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to provide the best care possible.
Panel Interview
The final step is meeting our fostering panel. This is a chance for us to discuss your application and for you to share why you want to foster. If approved, you’ll officially be ready to start your journey as a foster carer!
Allowance and benefits
When you choose to foster, you’ll receive benefits and allowances designed to cover the costs of care and recognise the incredible work you do.
As an emergency foster carer, you’ll receive a weekly fee to cover the child’s needs and provide a safe environment during critical moments. We’re proud to offer a competitive rate that ensures you’re fully supported in providing the best possible care.
Your allowance covers essentials like food, clothing, and household bills to meet the child’s needs, as well as additional expenses for any special requirements the child might have.
Alongside your financial allowance, you’ll have access to regular training and round-the-clock support from our team to help you feel confident and prepared.
If you’d like to learn more about how your allowances and benefits are calculated, we’re always here to talk it through!
Other types of fostering
Short-Term Fostering
Short-term fostering provides children with a home from a few days to several months. It’s a temporary arrangement that gives kids safety while plans are made for their long-term future, like returning to their birth family or moving to a permanent placement.
Long-Term Fostering
Long-term fostering is all about giving a child a safe, stable home until they grow up. It’s the best option when they can’t go back to their birth family and adoption isn’t the right fit.
Fostering Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arrive in the UK alone, often after harrowing journeys. Foster families provide them with acceptance and stability as they adapt to a new life.
Still have questions about fostering?
Choose a date and time on the calendar below, and one of our fostering advisors will give you a call to discuss any questions you might have.