Parent and Child Fostering
Parent and Child fostering offers a parent and their child a safe, supportive home where they can learn essential parenting skills and build confidence for the future.
What Is Parent and Child Fostering?
Parent and Child fostering is a unique type of foster care where a foster carer supports both a parent and their child. Unlike traditional fostering, the focus is on helping the parent develop the skills needed to care for their child safely and independently, while ensuring the child’s wellbeing. These placements usually last around 12 weeks and provide guidance, observation, and encouragement in a nurturing family environment.
Why Do Parent and Child Placements Happen?
There are many reasons why a parent may need this type of support, including:
- Experiencing abuse or trauma
- Being a young parent with little or no family support
- Having additional needs themselves
Who Can Be Involved in Parent and Child Fostering?
These placements are not just for mothers and babies. They can include:
- A mother and siblings
- A father and child
- Both parents with their child
Parents can be any age, but they are often under 18.
How Long Does a Parent and Child Placement Last?
Typically, the parent and child live with the foster carer for a 12-week assessment period. During this time, the foster carer:
- Observes and guides the parent
- Encourages them to meet their child’s daily needs
- Ensures the child is safeguarded at all times
The aim is to give the parent the best chance to move on and live independently with their child.
When Is Parent and Child Fostering Needed?
This type of fostering is often used when a parent is:
- Struggling or vulnerable
- In need of guidance in a safe environment
- Undergoing a court-directed assessment to determine if they can care for their child long-term
What Support Do Foster Carers Provide?
Our foster carers offer practical and emotional support, including:
- Baby care: Feeding, bathing, and showing emotional warmth
- Household skills: Cooking, cleaning, and assembling furniture
- Appointments: Attending meetings and health visits
- Budgeting: Managing money and planning expenses
Who Can Be a Parent and Child Foster Carer?
Parent and Child fostering requires carers who have:
- A spare bedroom
- Experience of caring for 0-5 year olds and knowledge of current infant care
- Ability to produce clear and precise records including observations
- Ability to ‘stand back’ and encourage parents to meet the child’s day-to-day needs, whilst ensuring the child is safeguarded
Why Is It Important?
This type of fostering can be life-changing. It gives vulnerable parents a chance to stay with their child while learning how to care for them safely. It can prevent family separation, reduce the need for long-term care, and support better outcomes for both parent and child.
Our offer to you
We understand that Parent and Child fostering is a specialist role, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Here’s what you’ll receive:
- A competitive financial package
- 2 weeks paid holiday at the end of every 12-week assessment period
- Specialist Parent and Child Training course, as well as access to any other training and development opportunities relevant to the role
- Dedicated support from experienced fostering professionals
