Short term or temporary fostering
Also known as mainstream or task centred fostering, a placement can be anything from one night to several months, depending on the circumstances and the legal situation.
Short term fostering occurs when a child needs to be removed from their home for various reasons. Often these children are returned home.
If a child cannot return home, the placement may last much longer, often more than a year whilst the Local authority is finding a permanent home (long term fostering or adoption) for the child.
The foster carer will then help to prepare the child for his or her move to a new family. Foster carers are also closely involved in helping the adoptive or permanent family understand the needs of the child and prepare for the child's arrival.
Timescales
In our experience, Local Authorities take six months and Independent Fostering Agencies take an average of four months to complete the foster carer assessment. However Local Authorities are catching up.
More information...Foster care course
As your application proceeds you will be invited to attend a fostercare training course, most Fostering Agencies use the Fostering Network course called "Skills to Foster".
More information...Assessment
The fostering social worker will visit you and your family at home. It is important that you discuss fostering with your children at an early stage and check out how they feel about being part of a fostering family.
More information...
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