What is Fostering?
Every child needs continuity, love and nurturing in its life but when the child's birth family cannot be helped and assisted enough to meet the child's on-going wellbeing and developmental needs then plans will be implemented by the Local Authority to provide the substitute care needed. This substitute care may include short term or long term fostering, special guardianship arrangements or adoption.
Your Questions Answered
As Social Workers and Foster Carers, we are constantly reminded that some children have suffered a variety of traumas and it is hoped that together we will enable young children and young people to retain appropriate attachments with those that have been caring for them.
As a Seafields' Foster Carer it will be you and your family that will provide that critical care that these vulnerable young people need at this point in their lives.
Types of Fostering Placements
Children are placed in an Emergency foster placement when urgent action is necessary to ensure the safety or wellbeing of that child. These placements can be for one night only or on-going dependent upon the needs of the young person and their family.
Task Centred placements are for children who may need temporary care until they are either returned to their family or alternative longer term plans can be made.
Long Term fostering is for children who are unable to return home to their parents and need to have a secure home until they have reached 18 years or moved onto to independent living.
Some children still live with their parent(s) in the family home but a short break is needed from looking after their children. This is known as a RESPITE placement.
Parent and Child are placements that can provide parents (either Mum or Dad) an opportunity to learn how to provide safe care for their baby / child within a safe and nurturing environment and with the guidance of their foster carer.
Sibling Groups placements are for more than one child from the same family who need to be placed together.
Commenly Asked Questions
Q: Who Can Foster?
A: We will consider anyone who is over the age of 25 years, from any ethnic or religious background, single, married or in a civil partnership but who has the ability to meet the needs of the young people placed with them by being available and having a spare room for that young person to call their own for the period of time that they are placed with you.
Q: What are the Age Ranges of Children who are placed in Foster Care?
A: Children can be placed from birth up to the age of 18 years but we will only place children of the most appropriate age that fits in with your own family’s needs.
Q: Do I need a childcare qualification?
A: No; but having previous experience of bringing up your own children or other related child care experience will help. Seafields will provide the necessary training and support for you to look after a child/young person.
Q: Do I have to own my own home to be able to foster?
A: No – you can be in rented accommodation but you must be the main resident within the home; be able to continue to pay any rent due whilst fostering and have a spare bedroom for a young person placed with you.
Q: Who will need to be part of the assessment process?
A: Seafields will assess the adult who will be the main carer; their partners if a couple; all other adults living within the home; the prospective carers’ own children. Referees will also need to be interviewed as well as any ex-partners.
Q: Am I able to foster if I am working?
A: You will need to be able to meet the needs and demands of any young person placed with you as well as being able to meet with your Supervising Social Worker regularly; attend professional, school and/or medical meetings and appointments. These are often during the day.
Q: Can I foster if I have a criminal record?
A: This will be dependent upon the nature of the criminal record and when the offence occurred. This would be discussed at length during the assessment period and all prospective carers are required to undergo an enhanced CRB check and every 3 years thereafter. ALL criminal convictions or cautions must be disclosed.
Q: Will I get paid for fostering and how much?
A: Foster Carers are paid an allowance for each night that a young person stays with them. This is not a salary but the money paid to you allows you, as the Carer, to provide for all the needs and expenses of the child.
Q: What do I do next?
A: Please complete the enquiry form on this website or contact us on the telephone number at the top of this page to arrange a visit from us.
