Types of foster care placements
Barnardo’s services across the UK provide a variety of foster placements to children and young people.
We provide services such as long term and bridging foster care placements.
Children and young people's needs in relation to gender, religion, ethnic origin, language, culture, disability and sexuality receive priority attention.
Every child in foster care will have their own unique care needs.
Here is an outline of the different types of foster care placements required by Barnardo's services:
Permanence or long term foster placements
Permanence or long term foster placements are when a child is matched with a carer and will live with them until they leave care. They may continue to have contact with their birth family. This will be agreed and detailed in the child’s care plan.
Bridging foster placements
Bridging foster placements are generally part of the child and young persons care plan and can last up to two years. In many placements the carers will work closely with the birth families towards reunification or in preparation for adoption.
Short term foster placements
Short term foster placements require carers who can work in partnership and contribute to an assessment of the child or young person’s long term placement needs. This is usually time limited from a few weeks to two years.
Parent and child foster placements
Parent and child foster placements are specific for younger mothers and/or fathers and their child. Foster carers provide support and guidance to the parent(s) and help them develop good parenting skills.
Emergency placements
Emergency foster placements require carers who feel skilled to meet the needs of a child or young person who requires a placement due to unforseen circumstances.
Specialist fostering placements
Specialist foster care placements can include emergency or remand fostering, fostering for disabled children and placements for children who have been trafficked or affected by sexual exploitation. View a list of our specialist fostering services.
