Types of foster care

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Types of foster care you could provide

We need people who can provide different types of care for children and young people, from birth to 18 years old.

This includes fostering:

  • teenagers
  • sibling groups
  • parent and child
  • children with complex needs

Short term foster care

A short term carer provides parenting and a home for a child, while a long term plan is made.

If the child can't return to their family, we work to support and prepare them for their new long term home.

Long term foster care

Long term foster care will be considered for a child who can't return to their family.

It provides a permanent family that will allow a child to grow up in a safe environment, where they feel they belong.

They should also have the choice to stay in contact with their birth family.

Emergency fostering

Sometimes a child needs to be cared for short notice due to unforeseen circumstances.

Emergency foster care provides somewhere safe for the child to stay for a few nights.

Caring for sibling groups

We try to keep siblings together to make sure they don't have to face losing the bond they have with their brothers and sisters.

It is important to try and maintain as many family relationships as possible.

Find out more on fostering sibling groups

Foster care for teenagers

In Barnet, we have a significant number of teenagers aged 13 to 18 years in our care. We provide specific training and support to enable foster carers to understand adolescence.

We encourage people to take on the challenge of providing care to this group of young people. We want to help teenagers to become responsible and aspiring young adults.

Find out more on fostering teenagers

Providing supported lodging

Supported lodging prepares young people from the age of 16 to 25 for living on their own. It's a stepping stone to independent living for the young person.

You'll be a supportive host for these young people in your home. You're there to offer emotional support and the chance for young people to learn life skills in a safe place.

Register your interest in supported lodging

Specialist fostering

Specialist foster carers provide a home for children and young people with complex and challenging needs.

This includes:

  • parent and child: fostering a baby or young child with their parent for around 12 weeks at a time. You may be supporting single mothers, single fathers or both parents together

  • therapeutic fostering: providing specialist care to the child or young person. It's likely the child or young person will have emotional, behavioural needs or a disability. You'll have support from professional therapists

  • respite: short term care that offers a break for a child, family, or foster carer for a day, weekend, or longer

  • caring for a child with a disability: providing care in a supportive and stable home to a child with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or medical conditions. You are provided with training, a care plan and a designated professional support network

Tell us you're interested in fostering