Types of fostering

Types of fostering

There are different ways of supporting a child. In Hammersmith & Fulham we have a range of schemes that may be suitable for you.

Scheme Foster Care

Scheme foster carers look after children between birth and 17 years old. Some children may need to be looked after by a scheme carer for a night, a few months or up to two years. The child’s allocated social worker will work with the child, their family and other professionals to assess the needs of the child and decide the long term plan for the child. Some children will be able to return to their birth families, others may go on to be placed with extended family, an adoptive family or a long-term foster carer.

PACT (Parents and carers together)

PACT support care is a form of fostering respite care helping to ease family life. You will provide occasional care in your own home for children and young people up to 18 years old. This may be a regular, planned visit or an emergency overnight stay as quite often our families are in crisis and need intensive support. You will be part of a support network giving families a break and helping them to stay together. Carers for this scheme must live within Hammersmith & Fulham or a neighbouring Borough.

PACT support care will provide:

• Placements that are planned, time limited and agreed
• Day-care, overnight stays and crisis emergency stays 
• A local tailor made support service for each child or young person and their family. Via a referral system 
• Payments to carers for each support care episode.

Long term fostering

Some children may need to be looked after permanently without being legally adopted.

This may be because they are unable to live with their birth family for practical reasons but wish to remain in close contact with their parents. In this case we would look for permanent foster care.

This may not suit people looking to build a family through adoption. But it may be right for you if your own children have grown up and left home.

Respite

Respite foster carers offer children regular breaks away from their home which offers the family or a full time foster carer regular but time limited short breaks. The purpose of respite care is to prevent the need for emergency placements which can be unsettling and distressing for a child. Respite carers also offer respite to other foster carers who require regular breaks to ensure placement. stability.

Shared Care

This is a support service for disabled children and their families. Carers are matched to a family to provide either daytime or overnight care in their own homes, or befriending in the community. This important service allows the parents of a disabled child to have a break or spend time with their other children. It also provides the child with opportunities to make friends and enjoy new experiences.