Foster Care | Long Term or Permanent Foster Care | Respite Foster Care | Parent and Baby Foster Care | Supported Lodgings | Short Breaks for Disabled Children

We need a range of foster carers for all types of fostering.

Foster care can last for days, months or even years, depending upon the circumstances and needs of the child.

Foster Care

Foster carers look after a child or children aged from 0-18, from babies to teenagers, providing a temporary home until the child can return to their own family, their wider family, move into a longer-term fostering placement or an adoptive family is found.

The amount of time children stay in foster care can vary from a couple of days, a few weeks or months or up to a year or in some instances, longer than that. The children can be on their own or with their brother or sister. Foster carers need to be available fulltime to care for the children. If you are in a couple this means one of you will need to be at home.

Long Term or Permanent Foster Care

For some children it may not be possible for them to return to their own family and they will need a foster home for several years until they can live independently, normally 18. This is called Long Term Fostering.

When the decision is made that the child is not going to be returning to their own family some foster carers who have been looking after the child on a short term arrangement decide that they can provide the child with a long term home until they are ready to leave. This arrangement can provide safety and security for the young person and continuity for the family.

Respite Foster Care

Respite carers will need to have significant childcare experience.

Respite involves carers in looking after children for a short period on a regular basis to give parents and children a break from each other and help prevent family breakdown. This can be for one weekend a month or for a holiday period.
Respite carers also provide respite for other foster carers who may need a break.

Parent and Baby Foster Care

Some new parents have very limited support and advice available to them to help them care for their new baby. Often these parents are young or have a learning disability.

Parent and baby foster carers provide a foster home for the parent and their baby. The foster carer provides supervision, advice and support for the new parent. The carer works with the parent towards helping them acquire the parenting skills to be able to look after their baby independently in the community.

Supported Lodgings

The Supported Lodgings Scheme is an accommodation scheme run by the 16 Plus Support Team for young people leaving care aged 16 - 21. Some young people who have been in care are not ready to live independently at this age. The aim of the scheme is to offer young people the opportunity to live in the home of an approved carer(s) who will help them prepare for independent living. The carer can help provide a safe and supportive environment where a young person can develop the practical skills and emotional maturity to cope with living independently.

If you are interested in becoming a Supported Lodgings carer please contact:
The Supported Lodgings Co-ordinator, 16 Plus Support Team
170-172 Carden Hill, Brighton BN1 8GN
Tel 01273 295400 or 01273 295798
e-mail: 16PlusSupportTeam@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Barnardo’s Brighton & Hove Link Plus Scheme

Barnardo’s  Brighton & Hove Link Plus Scheme provides a short break service for disabled children living in the Brighton and Hove area. Barnardo’s short break carers provide care for disabled children which ranges from a few hours per day to overnight care, to weekly sessions and holiday breaks and for a few children full time care. The primary aim of the scheme is to maintain disabled children in their own homes and communities in the Brighton and Hove area by providing family based care support tailored to individual needs. Children and families are linked together.

If you are interested in learning more you can contact
Barnardo's Brighton and Hove Link Plus
55 Drove Road
Portslade
East Sussex BN41 2PA
Tel 01273 295179
Website www.barnardos.org.uk/brightonandhovelink
e-mail: Brighton.Link@barnardos.org.uk