Short term fostering

Short term fostering is a fostering arrangement which can last anywhere from 1 night to a few years. Sometimes the length of time of the arrangement is agreed before the child joins the fostering home, but usually it’s an undefined arrangement while longer-term plans are made for the child.

Some of the reasons why children need short-term fostering arrangements include:

• Social care is assessing the suitability of the child’s family and family friends to care for the child. If these assessments are successful, the child will return to live with family, or may live with family friends.

• An older child may stay in the fostering home for a short time until they move into semi-independent care (at age 16) or live independently (age 18).

• The child may be able to return home after the child’s behavioural or other support needs have been addressed, making it easier for the family to care for the child.

• The child may need to be moved because of risks in the neighbourhood e.g. exploitation and gang affiliation. The child may return home after the neighbourhood risks are managed or perhaps the family will relocate.

• A short term fostering arrangement may be required until the courts determine that the child will remain in foster care long term (permanently); after which a long term fostering arrangement will be confirmed. A long term arrangement may be with the same family, or with a better matched fostering family.

At Sparks Fostering we recognise that it is often impossible to determine how long a fostering home is required when a child enters foster care, and we avoid moving children to different fostering homes unless it’s in the child’s best interests; therefore, Sparks Fostering only works with foster carers who are available to care for children for any length of time.

Other providers, including local authorities, recruit carers who are restricted to emergency, short-term and/or respite care.