Short term and long term foster care

Short term
Some young people only require a short-term placement with a foster carer after which they return home or live with other family and friends. Foster carers offer the same support and opportunities for young people in foster care whether they accommodated for one day or on a long-term basis. If the placement is for a longer period there will some differences but the day-to-day care will be the same.

Long term foster care
Some young people will have a plan for permanence outside their family - this means that they cannot return home, so a long term fostering placement might be the plan.

Some young people might stay with their existing carer when the plan is agreed and others for whom staying with their current carer is not possible a longer-term placement will be sought.

You have a right to be listened to and involved in the planning, the search and providing the information those prospective long-term foster carers will need. All long-term placements are considered and approved by a special panel of social workers, independent persons and representatives of those who have been fostered and a foster carer themselves. This panel reports to the Assistant Director of Children's Services and the work on the panel and OfSTED inspects all the fostering service.

Respite care
Respite care is where a short break provides some 'time off' for yourself and your carer.

Respite care is offered to young people and their families for set times and for specific reasons. Young people that have respite will be matched to a carer who it is felt can meet their needs and offer them a break.

Young people in respite foster care can often continue their activities at weekends unless there are specific difficulties and they will also have the opportunity to do other activities. They may experience new activities and experiences during this time.

There is a plan for each young person having respite and the views of the young person, the parent / carer and the foster carers are considered. The plan is reviewed if the respite is agreed for a short period of time.