Remand Fostering
Remand fostering gives young people on remand a safe family home instead of custody or an unregulated placement. With specialist training and 24/7 support, you can help change a life when it matters most.
Remand Fostering: A Safe Alternative to Custody
When a young person becomes involved in criminal activity, the options can feel limited: an unregulated placement, a night in police custody, or a youth offending institution. Our Remand Fostering Scheme offers something better – a safe, structured family environment during one of the most critical moments in a young person’s life.
Why Remand Fostering Matters
Every child has the right to family life. Yet too often, young people who cannot live with their birth family end up in residential care or unregulated settings. We believe there’s a better way. By placing them with specially trained foster carers, we can provide stability, guidance, and hope – helping them stay in the community rather than behind bars.
Remand fostering is about more than avoiding custody. It’s about giving a young person the chance to feel safe, understood, and supported while they await a court decision. Instead of spending nights in a police station or being sent to a youth offending establishment, they live in a home where boundaries and care go hand in hand.
What is Remand Fostering?
Remand fostering provides specialist foster homes for children and young people who are awaiting court decisions. These placements are designed to be therapeutic and stable, giving young people the chance to experience family life rather than residential care or custody. Depending on the court’s decision, the next step may be returning to their birth family, moving to a long-term foster family, or, in some cases, entering a custodial setting. Until then, our goal is simple: keep them safe, keep them supported, and keep them connected to family life.
How We Make It Work
Behind every Remand placement is a strong network. You’ll never do this alone. Our foster carers are backed by a multi-agency team that includes social workers, the Youth Offending Team, Virtual School, and TESS. Together, we create a clear plan for every child – covering education, routines, emotional support, and risk management.
Before any placement, we work closely with the Youth Offending Team to complete robust risk assessments. Safety is always the priority, and you’ll have a clear framework and 24/7 support from day one.
What We’re Looking For
Remand fostering isn’t for everyone, but if you have experience with children and young people, and the resilience to stick with them through tough times, you could make an incredible difference.
We’re looking for people who:
- Have experience in roles like residential care or youth work.
- Can commit full-time to fostering once approved.
- Drive and have access to a car for school runs and appointments.
- Show qualities like stickability, resilience, creativity, and tenacity.
- Are committed to ongoing training and development.
- Can work within our PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) an approach that builds trust and helps young people heal from trauma.
The Support You’ll Receive
This is specialist fostering, and we treat it that way. You’ll receive:
- Comprehensive training tailored to Remand fostering.
- 24/7 support and advice whenever you need it.
- Regular contact with a dedicated social worker and family support worker.
- Multi-agency input from professionals who understand the challenges.
- A community of carers who share your commitment and experience.
You don’t need to have all the answers – you just need the heart and determination. We’ll give you the tools, guidance, and team to succeed.
Why Choose Remand Fostering?
It’s challenging. It’s demanding. But it’s also life-changing. You’ll see small wins – attending school, making safer choices – turn into big changes. You’ll help a young person stay in the community instead of custody. And you’ll know you played a part in rewriting their story.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Remand fostering is more than a placement – it’s an opportunity to change lives. By providing stability, care, and guidance, we can help young people make positive choices for their future.
FAQs About Remand Fostering
How long do placements last?
They cover the period while a young person awaits a court decision. We plan next steps as soon as the outcome is known.
Is it safe?
Yes. We complete thorough risk assessments with the Youth Offending Team before any placement and agree a clear safety plan.
What support will I get?
Specialist training, 24/7 advice, and wraparound support from social workers, family support workers, and multi-agency professionals.
Do I need experience?
Yes – experience with children or young people (e.g. residential care, youth work etc.) is essential for this scheme.
What is the PACE model?
PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy – a therapeutic approach that helps young people feel safe and understood.
