Types of fostering
Discover the many different types of fostering available. We can help you decide which suits you best.
All foster carers want to make a difference to the lives of the children they foster. We can help you to use your existing skills in new ways, improve your work-life balance, or start a new career. All carers' home situations are different. It's important that the type of fostering you do fits with your own circumstances.
Short-term (temporary) fostering
Short-term foster carers look after children for periods anything from a few hours, days or months up to two years. After short-term care these children might return to their birth family or extended family. They may move to a permanent placement, either through long-term fostering or adoption.
Long term (permanent) fostering
Long-term foster carers support children and young people all the way to adulthood and sometimes beyond. As a local authority we always strive for children and young people to be cared for by their own families but there are times where this is not possible. Long-term fostering usually allows children to keep in contact with their birth family.
Short break (respite) fostering
'Short break', 'respite' or 'shared care' describe types of part-time foster care. Respite care gives parents, children or full-time foster carers a break. This could be during a holiday or when carers can't fulfil their roles for personal reasons or could be arranged regular respite care.
Home from home foster care
Foster carers can give disabled children regular short breaks with another family. The children can enjoy new activities and build new relationships. Their parents have a chance to spend time with their other children or to relax. Some carers look after children one weekend each month. Others spend as much time with the children as their parents do as part of a 'shared care' arrangement.
Parent and child foster care
Sometimes, foster carers support young parents to care for their baby or young child. The parents and child will live in the foster carer's home. The foster carers guide and encourage but do not take over parental responsibilities. This helps new parents to build their confidence and develop their parenting skills.
Supported Lodgings
The supported lodgings scheme is designed to provide a stepping-stone for young people aged 16-25, on their route to independence. A supported lodgings host offers a safe, supportive and friendly home environment for young people at risk of becoming homeless or leaving care. The aim is to provide them with a comfortable room within a safe environment where they can develop the everyday life skills that they may not have previously experienced in order to become independent. If you have a spare room, and want to help a vulnerable young person, supported lodgings could be right for you. You will be paid rent for the room you provide, as well as for the support you give.
Community Foster Care
The focus of community foster care is to support parents and families in Gateshead so that children can remain living within their home environment and reduce their risk of becoming accommodated in local authority care. Community Foster Carers may have foster children living with them and carry out this additional work for example when their children/foster children are at school. Or it can be a stand-alone role where you do not have foster children living in your home as well.
Kinship (connected) carers
If a child cannot live with their own parent or parents a family member or close friend can look after them. These are 'kinship' or 'connected' carers. Our kinship carers page has more information on fostering as a connected carer.
Could you foster a teenager?
Teenage years can be difficult for anyone. This is particularly true for a child who has experienced a challenging upbringing. This is a critical stage in the lives of our children. With the right support, you can have a huge and positive impact on the child's life.
Could you foster brothers and sisters?
Whatever the reason children need foster care, it is a difficult process for them. They will have to adjust to huge changes in their lives including being away from their birth family. This can be particularly difficult when separated from their brothers or sisters.
Could you foster a child seeking asylum?
Many displaced, refugee and asylum-seeking children need urgent care. A safe home and a family can help them settle into their new life in Gateshead. You can help them by fostering or another arrangement, such as supported lodgings.
Your story starts here
The first step to becoming a Foster Carer in Gateshead is to fill out our fostering enquiry form. A member of the fostering team will then contact you to gather some further details.