Fostering is a way of providing a safe and secure home for children who cannot live with their own parents. Often, this is on a temporary basis whilst the parents get help to sort out problems. Children often return to their parents after a period of being in foster care, as long as it is clear that the issues that brought them into care have been successfully resolved, and that their parents can look after them safely. Other children stay in foster care on a permanent basis, some are adopted and some move on to live independently.
Why do children need fostering?
There are many reasons that some children and young people need foster care. They may have experienced abuse or neglect. For others, it might be that their parents may have:
- a short-term illness
- mental health issues
- learning difficulties
- problems with drug or alcohol misuse
The children range in age from newborn to teenagers, and some are sibling groups. Their backgrounds and experiences can be damaging to a child’s development and lead to difficulties in them trusting people. Like all children, they need to be part of a family where they are nurtured and feel safe. Given time, warmth and support, these children and young people can really develop and reach their potential as individuals.
In Cornwall at the moment we are particularly looking for people who can care for older children as well as sibling groups.
What sort of fostering is there?
Children’s needs differ when they need foster care. There are different types of fostering to meet those needs and to give them the best possible care. The different types of foster care are called ‘placements’.