What Do You Mean by Fostering?
When people talk about fostering, they usually mean something very simple but powerful. It is about opening your home to care for a child or young person who, for one reason or another, cannot live with their own family.
But fostering is much more than just offering a bed and meals. It is about giving stability, patience, and kindness at a time when a young person really needs it.
So, what exactly is fostering?
Fostering is a way of providing care for children and young people who cannot live with their birth families. This might be because of neglect, illness, family breakdown or other difficult circumstances. Sometimes the placement is short-term while things get sorted out. Other times, it can continue for months or even years.
Foster carers don’t just offer a place to stay. They provide emotional support, routine, encouragement, and a sense of safety. In many ways, a foster family is just like any other. It is where a child can feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Is fostering the same as adoption?
No, they are different. With adoption, the adoptive parents take on full legal responsibility for the child for life. In fostering, the local authority remains legally responsible, and the aim is often to return the child to their birth family if that becomes possible.
This means some foster placements may last just a few days, while others continue until the child turns 18 and is ready for independence.
Are there different types of fostering?
Yes. The kind of fostering depends on the needs of each individual child. Some of the main types include:
- Short-term fostering – temporary care while a longer-term plan is being made.
- Long-term fostering – ongoing care for a child who cannot return to their birth family.
- Emergency fostering – immediate care when a child needs a safe place at short notice.
- Ongoing short breaks – planned, regular breaks (such as one weekend a month or a Saturday every other week) often for children with additional needs, giving their families vital breathing space to continue providing care.
- Respite care – short-term cover when a foster carer or family is temporarily unavailable, such as during holidays or hospital stays. Unlike ongoing short breaks, respite is usually one-off or occasional.
- Specialist fostering – for children with additional needs such as disabilities, mental health challenges, or complex behaviours. This also includes Parent and Child fostering, where carers support a young parent and their baby together in the same placement.
At Progress, we support carers to find the type of fostering that suits their life, home, and experience. You are never alone on the journey.
Who can foster?
Foster carers come from all walks of life. You do not need to be married, own your home, or have children of your own. What matters most is that you have a spare bedroom and a genuine desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
Whether you are working, retired, single, or in a couple, fostering could be an option. And even if you do not have experience with children, we can offer training and support to help you build your confidence and skills.
Why fostering matters
For the children and young people who need it, fostering can be life-changing. It offers safety, hope, and a fresh start. For foster carers, it is a chance to be part of something meaningful and to play a role in a child’s journey forward.
If you have ever thought about fostering, even just once, we would love to speak with you. No pressure and no commitment — just a friendly conversation with someone who understands what fostering really means.