Different types of fostering

People who decide to become foster carers have to think about what sort of fostering they would like to do and what they are best suited to doing.

Permanent fostering

In many ways long-term fostering is similar to adoption. Both mean bringing up a child – you can share all their ups and downs from doing up shoelaces and helping with homework to celebrating their achievements and sympathising over disappointments.

Your relationship with a child can continue all the way through standing beside him or her in their wedding photographs and babysitting their children.

The difference between adoption and permanent fostering is to do with the legal status of the child. A parent may refuse to give permission for a child to be adopted. Or sometimes, children have waited so long for an adopter that we have to consider permanent fostering as an alternative.

If you wish to foster long-term we will assess you in the same way we assess all foster carers. Once you are approved we will match you to a suitable child. You will meet several times and get the chance to see if you get on before deciding to go ahead. You will receive all the payments, training opportunities and support that foster carers are entitled.

Temporary fostering

This is most people's idea of fostering. Once you become an approved foster carer, children will come to stay with you for days, weeks or months until they can either return home or move on to adoption or permanent fostering.

Children often feel confused or upset about living away from home. So, as well as offering a welcome home, you will also need to be a good listener and comforter.

Temporary fostering can be exciting and very rewarding – you never know who will be coming to stay or for how long. Over the years, you will play a vital part in helping many children to feel safe and happy while they are with you. You will prepare them to move to a secure future. Even years later children may write to let you know how they're getting on and one day they may even bring their own children to visit you. On the other hand it can sometimes be upsetting to say goodbye to children you've become very fond of.

Temporary fostering can also be demanding – physically and emotionally, but there is always support and help available.

Short term breaks

Short term breaks support disabled children and their families. Children on the scheme can have a wide range of needs – from mild disabilities or learning difficulties to very complex health needs.

We always need people who have the skills and experience – through nursing for example – to help children with limited mobility or with health conditions that require particular attention. However, many successful applicants have no experience at all.

Carers and young people are carefully matched so that you both know what to expect. You get to meet the child beforehand and will not be asked to take on more than you feel you can cope with. You will be trained and assessed as a foster carer and receive support from family placements, parents and health professionals if this is needed.

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Fostering children from ethnic minorities

Some children needing foster care are from ethnic minorities. In choosing the right foster carer for children we have a legal duty to consider a child’s religion, racial origin, cultural background, and first language.

We try to match up families and children of similar backgrounds but often this is difficult to achieve because of low number of ethnic minority carers compared to the number of children of different racial backgrounds.

Foster carers who are asked to care for a child with a different racial and cultural identity to them need to be sensitive to their background. Carers may benefit from learning about and reading up on different cultures.

You should also discuss with the child’s social worker how best to address the child’s needs. There may be practical considerations too, for example for some children their religion may mean they cannot eat certain foods

Contact us

Fostering and Adoption Services in Walsall
106 Essington Road
New Invention
Willenhall WV12 5EX

Enquiries Freephone 0800 923 3706
All other calls 0845 111 2834
Fax 01922 493824
Email familyplacementsservices@walsall.gov.uk