Parent and child fostering
"It’s amazing seeing the young mums get on and develop their parenting skills. When the mum and her baby move on to build an independent life, it is very satisfying. I really enjoy this type of foster care – it’s a wonderful experience”, Helen, a foster carer.
Becoming a new parent can be an exciting but overwhelming time, especially if you are a young parent or have other things happening in your life which means you need extra support.
This is where you come in. You will provide a safe place for a parent to take their first steps.
As a foster carer, your role is to help a young parent adjust and develop the valuable skills they need to nurture and care for their baby. This type of fostering is often offered to young parents who are struggling, making it a nurturing and supportive role.
Role model
This challenging yet rewarding role will require you to be committed to provide help and support whenever it is needed, 24 hours a day. As a positive role model, you will guide the parent in how to care for the baby safely and help the baby to grow and develop.
Foster carers need to have experience or knowledge of good parenting as well as an understanding of what the mother has to do to keep the child safe. They have to offer the young mum independence whilst also supporting them within a family environment. The aim is to make sure mother and baby are happy and healthy.
A foster carer may be required to support a mother and her baby for anything from 2 weeks to 20, or even longer.
About you
There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. You will need plenty of patience, energy and be warm and welcoming whilst helping a young parent develop a bond with their baby.
We are looking for people who:
- Are over 21 years old
- Can be at home full-time
- Have a spare bedroom and space in their home for a young parent and their child
- Can safeguard the welfare of the child and parent
Support and training
You'll receive exceptional training and support. Parent and child fostering is considered as a specialist role which is why you’ll receive a generous weekly allowance to acknowledge the commitment required to this crucial role.
For those new to fostering, parent and child foster carers are approved in the same way as other foster carers. Find out about the fostering process.
Approved carers who want to develop into becoming a parent and child foster carer have an opportunity to access supplementary training as well as an additional assessment process with guidance from our friendly fostering team.
We would love to hear from you, contact us.