8 April 2026

Respite foster care is an important part of the support available to foster carers, but it often raises practical questions for people who are exploring fostering or preparing for their first placement. One of the most common concerns is who actually provides that care. If a child spends time with another household, will it be someone they already…

8 April 2026

Fostering is often spoken about in terms of the support given to a child who needs a safe home, but it is also something that affects the whole household. For families who foster, birth children are very much part of that journey. Their experiences, feelings and opinions matter just as much as anyone else’s. When a looked after…

8 April 2026

Questions about finances are common for people exploring fostering. Understanding how fostering pay works, and how they interact with benefits such as Universal Credit, is often an important part of deciding whether fostering could fit within a household. Fostering pay is structured differently from a typical salary. Payments are intended to support the day-to-day care of a child…

1 April 2026

If you’re considering fostering infants, you might be wondering how long a placement could last. Sometimes fostering an infant can continue into their late teens, depending on the child’s care plan. However, most infant placements are short-term, either while a longer-term plan is agreed or as part of a parent and child placement. Only occasionally does long-term foster…