Could you provide a safe and loving home to a vulnerable child or young person in Northamptonshire?

Deciding to foster is a big decision and often, before someone can take that life-changing step, there are some important questions to be answered.

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust’s fostering team are there to guide you through your fostering journey, they will ensure that you are aware of the different types of fostering available and can answer any questions you might have, whatever type of fostering you decide is right for you.

Different ways that fostering can support a child or young person

For some people who may be considering becoming a foster carer, taking on the responsibility of a child or young person on a long-term fostering basis may feel like too big a leap; however, the good news is that many foster carers start their fostering journeys in different ways, and one such route is through initially exploring short-term fostering options; which can ultimately provide invaluable experience whilst still allowing you to help transform a young person’s life for the better.

–Emergency foster care can be a temporary move to create stability if, for example, a child is moving between long-term foster carers or perhaps they have only recently been placed into care.

–Respite foster carers step in to allow existing foster carers to take important time outs, such as short breaks or holidays; taking time to relax and investing in self-care is vital.

–Parent and child fostering can help the mother or father in developing important parenting skills, as well as supporting a young child or children within your home. This is a skilled role and may often be better suited to experienced foster carers but could also be a consideration for anyone with a background working within a caring profession, whether that be providing child or adult care.

Following a period of short-term fostering whereby essential skills are developed, some foster carers choose to make the step towards a more permanent, long-term fostering option that is focused on maintaining a stable and secure home, often until the child reaches adulthood. In addition to this, the potential to take on siblings is also an important progression as keeping brothers and sisters together wherever possible is a key focus.

Longer-term fostering options may include supporting a child with more complex needs such as a disability or medical condition, or where the young person has spent a long time in a residential care home and needs the guidance and support to transition to a foster home that helps them to thrive and better achieve their goals.

These types of roles can be particularly appealing to potential foster carers who have experience in certain caring professions, such as residential care, youth work, healthcare or education, where skills may be directly transferrable.

The benefits of fostering with your Local Authority

Throughout the UK the need for foster carers is growing. In Northamptonshire alone there are more than 1,000 children currently in care, many of which could benefit from a suitable foster home, but sadly too few carers are available.

Potential foster carers have the option to choose whether they foster with their local authority or with a private agency; however, it is important to consider the many benefits of fostering with your Local Authority, as wherever it is feasible to do so, the focus will be to support the young person to remain within their local community and not be fostered miles away from home, which can sometimes be the alternative.

The positive impact of caring for a child or young person in the community they know and feel connected to cannot be underestimated.It can help to ensure positive contact with friends and family, as well as ensuring they are able to remain within their existing education setting, all of which helps to make them feel more at home, even when that home may be new to them.

Local Authority run fostering services are also values driven and not-for-profit, meaning that that all resources are designed to positively impact the lives and futures of vulnerable children and young people within the local community it supports.

Your Local Authority fostering service, Northamptonshire Children's Trust, are there to help anyone thinking about fostering to access the information and support needed to progress as a foster carer and can also assist existing carers who may looking to transfer from another independent fostering agency (IFA).

Fostering changes lives. To learn more about fostering within your local area, or to enquire about attending a forthcoming fostering event, please visit: northamptonshirefostering.com