Respite fostering involves caring for a child on a short-term basis. This usually is overnight, over a weekend, week, or fortnight.
Foster carers who do respite fostering usually care for children already staying with other foster carers. As a respite foster carer, you will join our local network of carers offering support to our foster carers when they need it most.
All our foster carers are entitled to a 14-day respite allowance should they need it, so specialist respite carers are needed just as much as foster carers.
Builds a valuable support network to foster carers
Allows foster carers to recharge their batteries
Develops healthy relationships outside the home for children and young people looked-after
Introduces you to a career in fostering
Supporting you with full training and 24/7 support, these are given to all respite carers
Support to our full time foster carers when they need it most.
''As a respite foster carer, you need all the qualities of a foster carer, but the key ones are a sense of humour, empathy, a willingness to work with others, the ability to form good relationships and flexibility.''
I thoroughly enjoyed my role as a respite foster carer. Over the years, I have developed skills and understanding, enabling me to build strong relationships with the children I care for. Many of whom I provided respite for regularly, and some are still ongoing.
The most positive thing about being a respite carer is watching these children's progress after suffering some awful experiences. To receive their trust and see them laugh is something money cannot buy. Regular respite placements have become almost part of my family, and even those that have become adults with independent living are part of my life and always will be.
The basis of fostering children with disabilities is the same as every other; to provide a safe, loving home for a young person.
Therapeutic fostering is specialised for children and young people who endured trauma before being placed in care.
Permanence is long-term planning for a child or young person’s upbringing. The aim is to offer children a secure, stable, and loving home to last through childhood and beyond, providing a sense of security, continuity, commitment, identity, and belonging.
