Thinking of respite fostering

[ladygoingGaga]

Hi, I've been thinking about fostering for ages now, finally got the application form.
I'm a single parent to my 7 year old DS, and work full time, I want to offer respite or occasional fostering.
So perhaps one weekend a month, plus a week or two through the year.

Is this even possible?

Any advice gratefully received

[Milliways]

Yes, we have friends who do this. They used to do more, but had regular children who came once a week or month. They now just have 1 child 1 weekend a month, so it is possible.

Good luck :)

[redgate]

Yes definitely possible and a really good way to get into it. I am a short break foster carer and I love it!

You could provide 'respite' for long term foster carers, giving them regular breaks or having their child for a week so they could go away on holiday.

In some areas they have schemes where foster carers provide 'short break care' for children living with birth families. Similar set up, regular visits from children who know you. This can be for families who have difficulties, or where the children or parents have disabilities. Usually not called 'respite' though in this context (respite is an old and slightly negative phrase now, though tbh everyone still uses it!!)

Feel free to pm me if you want any more info :)

[Roshbegosh]

The agencies are profit making middle men ripping thousands of pounds off the LAs. The LA will always try to place a child with their in house carers first if they can.

[graciepops1]

Hi can any one advise? I would love to offer respite foster care, weekends only for 0-18 month old kids. (Going for this age range as unfortunately I don't have a spare room, but do have my own huge bedroom with small side room, and I understand little ones of this age are allowed to share your room. I am a qualified Nursery Nurse also. However, I am just coming up against a brick wall with every Local authority I ring with regards to a spare room. I only want to offer respite care, so don't see the problem, and I cant believe there is not some seriously worn out baby fosterers out there who don't need a break.! Any advice anyone? Thanks

[Ethiad]

gracie it's great what you are offering to do so, but that is a very specific age range, and I am not sure tbh how many carers there would be that want/need/would be eligible for respite for children this age. It's usually foster carers with older children, those who have behavioral issues or disabled children that are given respite in the local authority I foster for (I am not commenting on how fair this may or may not be)

I think social workers would look at the potential impact respite could have on the fostered child, and how this balances with the needs of their carers for a break. Children 0-18 months could have recently been removed from their birth family, and be forming attachments with their main carers, as well as having regular contact with birth family (if going back home is an option) or be in the process of being adopted.

Would you be prepared to increase your age range, possibly offering day-care placements - someone offering 9-5 on a Saturday might be a brilliant help to a foster carer who needs a break.

[scarlet5tyger]

Hi, sorry but I don't think any local authority would take on a respite carer for 0-18 month olds, regardless of the room issue. I don't know any of my fellow baby carers who'd use a respite carer who we didn't know - most of us cover for each other. The children we care for have lots of problems with attachment already and even though I agree that lots of baby foster carers could do with a break from time to time it simply isn't worth the weeks of fallout that come from putting a child into respite even just for one night.

On top of that there's the money it would cost a LA to train and assess you.

Sorry to sound negative, I just want to be realistic.

[graciepops1]

Yes, I see your point scarlet. I am looking to wait until we move and get a permanent spare room, then I can look at getting my teeth into this full time. Thanks for your inputx