TYPES OF FOSTERING

Flexible Fostering

We believe that fostering can be transformative to the lives of children and young people as well as incredibly rewarding for foster carers themselves. There are many different types of foster care to meet the needs of children in Rotherham which include:

Task Centred Foster Care

Task centred foster care, also known as short term foster care, can range from a one night stay to a period of up to two years while the local authority assesses what the best next steps are for the child’s future care. Task centred foster care is for children in our care who need a temporary place to stay before returning to their families or into longer-term fostering or adoption.

Emergency Foster Care

Emergency foster carers are prepared to take a child into their home at any time, usually for up to a few days. This type of fostering often requires un unplanned move offering temporary safety and care until further plans are made. Similarly to short term foster care, this is temporary while the local authority assesses the child’s future care.

Long-Term Foster Care

If children are not able to go back to their own families for an extended period of time, long-term fostering offers children a more stable home, often lasting until they are 18 and older. Placement stability is key for the development of all foster children and can be equally rewarding for the foster family.

Second Home Care

Second Home Care, also known as Respite Care is short term care that allows foster children some time away from their foster carers in order to have new experiences with foster carers that are familiar to them, like a second family.

Children with additional needs

There are children in our care of all ages who have needs that require higher levels of skill and experience. These children need to be cared for by a Level Four carer. Level Four carers undergo specific training to gain the skills and knowledge to carry out specialist therapeutic caring. Level Four carers will receive higher financial support and cannot be working alongside being a foster carer.

Want to know more about fostering?

Ready to apply

speak to our team

Your Questions

How old do I need to be to foster?

You can apply to become a foster carer if you are 21 years or over. Although this is the minimum age to apply we want to ensure prospective foster carers have sufficient life experience before making such a big life changing decision.

What is private fostering?

Private fostering occurs when a parent makes arrangements for their child to be cared for by someone other than themselves for more than 28 days. This includes extended family, for example a cousin, a great aunt or great uncle, a great grandparent; or a family friend. It does not include close blood relatives: a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether full blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or a step-parent. A child is considered to be anyone under the age of 16, or a disabled young person under 18.

Can I refer a friend of family member to be a foster carer?

We always want to talk with potential foster carers. Additionally, if you or someone you know currently fosters with an independent fostering agency they can transfer to us. If you are a foster carer with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council or you are an RMBC employee, there is a cash incentive Foster Carer Referral Scheme.

What do you do as a Level 4 Carer?

Level 4 carers, previously Foster Plus carers, foster children with additional needs. Level 4 carers, undergo specialist training to gain the skills and knowledge to carry out therapeutic parenting.