types of fostering
parent and child
what is parent and child fostering?
With this kind of fostering, you’ll welcome both a parent and their child into your home. You help to keep families together, whilst teaching new skills, providing a listening ear and nurturing their relationship.
The goal of this specialist type of fostering is for you to care for a parent who really needs support, so they can build up the skills they need, both personally and for their child.
who can be fostered?
Parent and child fostering is sometimes known as a ‘mother and baby foster placement’ as, in most cases, these are needed for young mums who are about to or have just given birth.
However, this isn’t always the case.
Parent and child fostering could mean providing a safe space for a dad and his baby, an older mum or toddler or sometimes for both parents together, with their child.
what’s expected?
With Local Authority help, you’ll nurture the next generation so they can do the same.
A parent and child foster carer will be expected to:
- Teach parenting skills like feeding, bathing and bedtime routines
- Encourage parents to give children positive attention, emotional warmth and play
- Show parents ways to have a positive bond with their children
- Model good parenting so parents can learn what their babies need and how to respond effectively
- Support parents, who may have had a difficult childhood themselves or experienced domestic violence, to build their own self-esteem, confidence and choices
- Teach household skills like budgeting and preparing meals
- Provide a safe and nurturing home environment for parents to develop their parenting skills
- Observe the parent and child’s daily interactions, progress, and keep detailed records for the assessment. Supervise, but no judgement
- Attend meetings with social workers and other support staff
- Contribute to decisions made around what happens next
who can be a foster carer?
No two children are the same, and neither is the foster parent they need. At Foster Wales, we celebrate the diversity of our foster carers.
However, to foster a mother and baby, you’ll need to be confident and have experience with young children. This does not mean you must have your own birth children, but you must be able to care solely for an infant and teach another how to do so. You will need to be present at all times.
As with most fostering, you must have a spare bedroom at home. This should be big enough to accommodate the parent and child including a bed, cot, and other furniture such as a changing table.
how long do parent and child foster placements last?
Typically, a parent and child will stay with you for 12 weeks, while an assessment is completed on their parenting ability. Although this can be extended if the parent needs a little more time and support.
A mother and baby foster placement may last longer if the mum joins you before she gives birth.
A successful outcome might be for the parent and child to move in with family, into other forms of supported living, or to live independently, well prepared for their role as mum or dad.
are there mother and baby fostering allowances?
Supporting a new parent and infant in need is the main reason many people choose to become a parent and child foster carer, but money will help you to provide this security and guidance. So, every carer is given an allowance for every person in their care alongside their fostering allowances and other benefits the local authority may offer.
Foster Wales Swansea foster carers Paul and Sharron
