Parent & Child Foster Care
Focused on keeping young families together
What is parent & child fostering?
Parent & child fostering, often called ‘P&C’ fostering, is a unique type of care where a parent and their child, usually a baby, live together with a foster family. It’s designed to support young or vulnerable parents who need help learning how to care for their child in a safe and nurturing environment.
Unlike other types of fostering that focus just on the child, P&C fostering is about helping the parent too. As a foster carer, your role is to share your knowledge, offer support, and help the parent build the confidence and skills they need to care for their little one.
It’s a wonderful way to make a difference for a child and their young parent, too. If you’re looking for a way to keep families together and give them the best chance for a brighter future, P&C fostering might be perfect for you.
What are the benefits of Parent & Child Care?
Parent and child fostering is a chance to make a difference for two lives at once and keep families together when they need it most.
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You give young parents and their little ones a safe place to keep their family together while they both learn and grow.
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You get to guide and positively influence parents by teaching them the skills they need to care for their baby.
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By supporting young parents, you’re helping them to be able to one day create a stable home for their child.
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Watching a young parent grow in confidence and helping a child feel safe and loved is truly priceless.
Am I eligible to be a carer?
Becoming a foster carer means offering a stable and caring home for children who need it most. To ensure each child’s well-being, foster carers need to meet some essential criteria.
You need to be:
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At least 21 years old
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A UK resident
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In good physical and mental health
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Have a safe, clean, and comfortable living space with a spare bedroom for the foster child
It is also really important that you have the right character. Our carers are kind, patient, friendly, dedicated, and mature enough to handle the demands of the role.
How to become a Parent & Child 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 parent and child 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, 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 parent and child you’ll care for.
Fostering Training
Before you welcome a parent and 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. 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 children 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
Respite Fostering
Respite fostering is q great option if you can’t commit full-time but still want to help. These short-term placements give kids a safe home while their foster carers take a break. With a 14-day respite allowance for foster carers, respite carers are always in demand.
Therapeutic Fostering
Therapeutic fostering supports children with trauma or complex needs. It requires patience, understanding, and extensive training, but the rewards are life-changing.
Fostering Teenagers
Teenagers bring unique challenges but also incredible rewards. By fostering teens, you’ll provide guidance and support to help them navigate their formative years towards a brighter future.
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.