Placement types

Children and young people need fostering for lots of different reasons. That’s why we offer a range of different placement types – so we can match each child with the foster family that has the skills and characteristics to meet their needs.

Even if you have a preference for the type of foster placement you take on, please try and be as flexible as you can. Being happy to accept more than one type of foster care placement helps us find safe, supportive homes for children and young people more quickly.

Emergency foster care placements

Sometimes, we need to find a safe place for a child to stay immediately. Emergency placements usually last from a few nights to six weeks.

Short-term / Restoration foster care placements

If there are problems at home, a child or young person may need to stay with a foster family. This is usually for a few months or up to two years. This type of placement is focused on helping a foster child return home. You’ll be working closely with the child and their family to help the restoration go smoothly.

Permanent placements

It isn’t always possible for foster children to be reunited with their birth families. In these cases, they’ll need to stay with you until they’re grownup and able to live independently. (Usually around 18 years old.) A permanent placement refers to long term fostering, kinship care, guardianship and open adoption.

Respite care

Usually, this involves looking after children whose carers need some time off.

Sibling placements

We try to keep brothers and sisters together when finding foster families. This type of placement involves groups of two or more children. We need foster carers for emergency, short-term/restoration, respite and permanent placements to care for siblings.

Parent-and-child foster care placements

Sometimes, a parent or young pregnant mother might need extra help looking after their child. With this type of placement, both the parent and their child or children will live with you.