Types of fostering
We provide a wide range of fostering placement options and types of fostering services for children and young people of all ages. All foster homes are matched to the specific needs of a child. These include those with additional needs or significant safeguarding issues. To learn more about the different types of fostering get in touch with our fostering team or learn more about who makes a good foster parent.
Mainstream fostering
AFA Fostering provides a variety of types of fostering and foster homes to meet the differing needs of Looked After Children.
Parent and child fostering
Our parent and child fostering service provides options for the assessment and support of parents with their own children. The purpose of this type of fostering is to promote parenting skills and responsibility. We then take a step back to see how the parents have responded. All the while the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration.
Intensive placements
Our ‘intensive’ foster placements, also known as therapeutic fostering, is a type of fostering for particularly troubled children. Their backgrounds are such that they sometimes communicate their needs through difficult or challenging behaviours, rather than verbally.
Short term and bridging placements
These type of fostering placements meet the needs of children on a short-term basis. This may be before returning to their birth family or moving to an alternative Long Term or Permanent family. These can also be pre-adoptive.
Long term and permanent placements
A child remains as part of the foster family throughout their childhood as a member of that family. This type of fostering can include permanent placements.
Unaccompanied minor
and emergency placements
These meet the immediate needs of children, often on the same day or night, and weekends. This type of fostering can also be caring for unaccompanied minors.
Respite placements
A respite placement provides support to families who do not have their own support network. This type of fostering may also be a means of supporting other foster families.
Get in touch to find out more about fostering
Already a foster parent?
We’d love to hear from experienced foster parents too. Find out more about transferring fostering agencies.