Emergency fostering places children into temporary care when there is an immediate risk to their safety at home. These placements might last a few hours or days but in some cases, they become long-term. If you provide this kind of foster care, being prepared for a phone call at any time of the day or night is essential. We will always attempt to get as much information as possible before a child is brought to your home.

This is the most common type of fostering; providing a home on a temporary basis. You will be given more information about a child or young person’s circumstances before they are placed. Some children are able to return home reasonably quickly whilst others will need a more permanent arrangement.

These placements might last weeks, a few months, or up to two years. A child will have a short-term fostering plan set out whilst in your care. Compared to other types of fostering, you are likely to have more contact with a child or young person’s birth family whilst the local authority and social workers make the necessary assessments.

This is where a child or young person will live with their foster parent(s) until they reach adulthood. The benefits for a foster child are considerable: growing up in the same family provides security and stability.

As a foster carer, you will be committed to providing a loving, safe home for a child or young person until they move on to independent living. Many carers develop strong attachments with the children they have looked after and remain in long-lasting contact. Some even forging relationships with the children of the young people they fostered: proving fostering can have a hugely positive effect across generations.

This type of fostering involves caring for children who show challenging behaviours and complex needs. No two cases are alike. Some children require an ongoing programme of therapy tailored to their individual needs. Therapeutic foster carers have the training, knowledge, and skills to support such programmes in the home. For foster parents, rates of pay are higher in recognition of the key role they play in the team.

Many children and young people who have fled war, conflict or, persecution in their own countries come to the UK seeking safety and security.

These children will often have complex needs arising from past trauma. At Rainbow, we find a ‘culturally matched’ placement for the child. This means the foster parents(s) will speak their language, have the same, or similar, dietary requirements, and share the same religious customs.

Where circumstances allow it is important for siblings to remain together. Siblings find it easier to settle into unfamiliar surroundings together. Being in the same home giving each other mutual support helps them to maintain their individual identities and sense of shared experience.

If you decide to foster a sibling group you will be making a tremendous difference. We will provide you with all the additional training and support to make a rewarding success of this type of fostering.

This is also known as mother and baby fostering. It is a specialist type of care where a parent and their infant - usually a newborn - live with you. This is so you can give them additional support and guidance. The placement allows the mother, or less usually, the father, to learn parenting skills in a safe, secure, and supportive environment.

These placements last around 3 - 4 months. You will be given specialist training to show the parent the practical aspects of caregiving such as feeding, washing, and changing a baby. With your care and support, a young mum or dad will have taken their first parenting steps. You will have done something remarkable - keeping a young family together.

The purpose of respite fostering is simply to provide foster parents with a rest - or respite - due to their personal circumstances e.g. when a foster parent is going on holiday and is unable to take their foster child with them.

The arrangements for respite placements can vary. They may last a few days, a number of weekends, or a week or two during the holidays. As a respite carer, you will have the satisfaction of knowing the support you give can make the difference in keeping a placement intact.

Fostering teenagers is a unique opportunity to support young people navigating critical developmental stages. Support for teenagers in foster care should focus on creating a stable, nurturing environment where they can build trust and develop a sense of belonging.

It's crucial to respect their growing need for independence while setting appropriate boundaries. By offering a blend of structure, empathy and encouragement, foster parents can help teenagers develop the skills and confidence needed to transition into adulthood.