Parent and child foster care

We are keen to find foster placements for parents and their children needing support whilst they undergo assessment. Parents who are unable to meet their child's needs, sometimes need a nurturing family environment where they can be supported in looking after their baby or young child.

As a parent and child assessment foster carer, you will offer a time limited 12-week package of support. In most cases, this is when care proceedings are in place in respect of the child and an assessment of parenting ability is needed for planning and court purposes. The parent could be a mother, father or both. Additionally, the parent may be under or over the age of 18 years of age and also be a young person in care.

During the process you will need to model good parenting and offer advice and guidance on identified tasks to the parent which will have been outlined as part of placement planning. You will be part of a team that assesses and gathers evidence for whether or not the child can safely remain with their parent. These arrangements will require a high level of attention and supervision.

What will I need to do?

The responsibilities for parent and child foster carers include:

As a Parent and Child foster carer, you will need to:

• Have a primary carer at home full time.
• Have no children younger than seven years old living in the home alongside the parent and child arrangement
• Have adequate accommodation for the parent and child to have their own room or share a room (as appropriate). They need to be able to accommodate the child in the carers bedroom where safeguarding requires this.
• Work to child protection plans and care plans as outlined for the court.
• Show you have the commitment, patience and ability to care for a child.
• Be able to teach parenting skills and assess capacity to meet required standards.
• Be able to build excellent working relationships with birth parents.
• Offer a safe and caring environment for a child and their parents.
• Work with a core group of professionals who will support you to care for the child and their parents effectively.
• Commit to developing your own knowledge and attend training.
• Have significant experience of working directly with or caring for vulnerable young people and young children.
• Be open-minded and have the commitment to make a difference.

What support will I receive?

As a foster carer, you will receive: 

• A weekly fee of £614.67 plus fostering allowances.
• The support of a dedicated fostering social worker and family support worker.
• The support of a team of professionals who are working with the young person in your care and who can offer you one to one advice and support.
• Access to a specialist training programme, some of which will start during your assessment period.
• An opportunity to undertake a QCF Diploma for the Children’s Workforce.
• Opportunities for peer support and networking.
• Support from our in-house psychologist.
• Access to 24-hour support via the foster care support line and emergency duty team.