types of fostering

Short-term fostering can be just that – an hour, a day, a month or a year. This means the plans for a child’s future are still in motion. In the meantime, a secure home is just what they need.

When you become a short-term foster carer, you’ll work with us while we look to secure the next step – this could be a more ‘long-term’ foster home, a return to the child’s family or sometimes a move to an adoptive family. Short-term means that you will always be there to help and care for a child whenever they need you. Importantly, you will also be there to help them move on to that important next step, whatever it might be.

Don’t think that a short stay means a small impact. It can be the start of something wonderful. It can be the launchpad for a journey that is new for every child in our care and, of course, every foster carer too.

If a child can’t live at home, long-term foster care can establish a new safe place. It represents a fresh start and stability. A place to belong.

Very careful and thoughtful matching goes into long-term foster care. It’s important the right foster child is brought together with the right foster carer for as long as is needed. This type of fostering is about providing not just a safe and secure environment, but permanence too. For a child, this means a stable foster family for life.

Everyone needs the opportunity to breathe and take a step back sometimes. This is why short breaks are available.

Short breaks, also sometimes known as ‘support care’, can involve taking a child in overnight, for the day or over the weekend. These are sometimes planned in advance and can be frequent, or a one-off. Short breaks are all about offering new opportunities and experiences. It allows you to make a difference by coming together – you become an extension to the child’s family and form part of their life story.

Parent and child placements mean you can share your own skills and experience with someone who needs that support and guidance. It allows you to nurture the next generation so they can do the same in the future. These placements help parents build up personal skills that they need, as well as skills for their child, and are a valuable way to help young parents feel confident and capable. Read More: Parent and child fostering in Denbighshire

Different kinds of care are sometimes needed for children with more complex needs. Therapeutic care is in place to help such children. With this kind of care, your foster family is even more unique – and the rewards can be even greater. To help make sure you are supported, therapeutic carers and their children always have an extra level of guidance and training available to help them.

Young refugees arrive in the UK alone or separated from their family during the journey – looking for safety and a fresh start. More than 100 of these young refugees arrive in Wales every year. We need families in Denbighshire who can offer young refugees support, stability, and guidance while they rediscover their independence in a new country.

With our support and guidance, you can help guide a young refugee towards a positive future, giving them the opportunity to learn and regain their independence in a new country.