What Is Parent and Child Fostering? A Guide to P&C Arrangements

Across the country, there is an urgent demand for more parent and child foster carers, with a staggering number of referrals being received each month.

This insight gives an overview of parent and child fostering, what it involves, and why a parent might need a foster carer’s guidance and care.

The sooner a child experiences positive parenting and a stable environment, the greater their potential. This is why we offer Parent and Child (P&C) arrangements.

The parents we work with in these types of arrangement may not have been parented well themselves, and so do not have experience to base their own parenting on.

When Do These Arrangements Occur?

These arrangements occur when a concern has been identified by the Local Authority in relation to the parenting, or home environment the child is in.

The parent(s) then come to stay with our foster carers where our foster carers:

• Observe – see what is happening and how the parent and child interact.

• Model – do the same task themselves for the parent(s) to watch and learn.

• Teach – take the parent through things they may not know step-by-step.

• Guide – remind, encourage, correct without being critical, and praise.

It’s Not About:

• Taking over parental responsibilities.

• Pre-judging parents who might need some guidance.

• Getting evidence against the parent.

Key Principles of a P&C Arrangement

• The arrangement offers the parent & child a family setting, while their future together or apart is decided, or accommodation for them is identified.

• The foster carer works with and supports the parent, whilst it is the parent who is looking after the child.

• The arrangement offers a positive option for a parent to be able to show the skills they have and learn those they do not, while the vulnerable child is protected from harm that may be due to their lifestyle or ability to parent.

• A parent might be a child themselves, and have the needs of any other child, as well as the potential to develop as a parent.

Types of Parent and Child Fostering

There are two types of parent and child fostering: supported and skilled.

P&C Supported Arrangement

The parent has full care of the child whilst the foster carer will support the parent with practical skills such as: preparing feeds, cooking, weening, bathing, budgeting and helping them to prepare for independence.

P&C Skilled Arrangement

Foster carers will be required to provide a high level of supervision to the parent and child, often 24/7 supervision of the baby including sleeping in foster carer’s room and being aware of any safeguarding concerns.

Referrals

Referrals can come in for a wide range of ages & needs of mothers. Some mothers will have experienced poor parenting themselves and don’t know how to model good parenting. There may be issues with domestic violence, abusive relationships, family breakdown & no support to parents.

Due to this, we need people who can be available at all times of the day to support the parent and baby. P&C arrangements are a full-time commitment for a foster carer, and you are required to be there day or night. This type of fostering usually requires close supervision, so you're expected to make fostering your top priority.  

These referrals may be for young teenage mothers, older mothers, parents, and babies who have already been in a residential unit and need further assessment in the community before decisions are made. We also witness circumstances that can involve drug & alcohol misuse, mental health issues, learning needs or having a disability.

Foster homes can be needed for mum and baby, dad and baby, or even both parents with baby or young children, sometimes 2 or even 3 children, so not always a young mum and a newborn baby.

What Are the Benefits of Parent and Child Fostering?

• Breaks the cycle of neglect and potential future involvement with social services.

• Improves the lives of both parent and baby.

• Helps children experience good parenting and a stable environment.

With a staggering number of referrals being received each month, there is an urgent demand for more Parent and Child foster carers. Click here to get in touch.