Short-Term Foster Care
What is Short-Term fostering?
Short-term fostering provides children with a safe and stable home for a limited period of time. It could be for a night, a few weeks, or a few months, depending on their situation. It’s often a temporary stop while plans are made for their future, whether that’s going back to their birth family, moving to a long-term placement, or starting the adoption process.
Unlike long-term fostering, which involves a lasting commitment, short-term fostering is more flexible. It’s ideal for those who want to make a meaningful difference and be there for kids when it matters most.
What are the benefits of Short-Term Foster Care?
Short-term fostering might be temporary, but the impact you make can last a lifetime.
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You provide a safe place to land right when a child needs it most.
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Perfect if you want to foster but can’t commit to years of care.
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You give kids the stability they need while plans are sorted for their future.
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It’s a great way to build your skills and see what fostering is all about.
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Short-term fostering can be more manageable if you have other commitments, as placements are not permanent.
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You’ll receive a fostering allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child.
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Knowing you’ve been there to make a difference for a child during a tough time is incredibly rewarding.
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 Short-Term 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 long-term 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 long-term 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
Long-term
Young people who can no longer live with their birth family are placed in to a long term foster, until they are ready to move to independence.
Emergency Fostering
When kids need a safe place in a hurry, emergency fostering steps in. These placements happen with little warning and are usually short-term, sometimes just for a night.
Respite Fostering
Respite fostering is great if you can’t foster full-time but still want to make a difference. These short stays, from a few hours to a weekend, give kids a safe place while their carers take a well-earned break. Our foster carers get a 14-day respite allowance.
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.