Long-Term Fostering
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There are many different types of care available for children across the UK who require additional support and are part of the foster care system. There are more than 82,000 children who require care from foster parents each year.
Foster care is designed to provide the structure, stability and support that children need at every stage of development and of course, love.
While the majority of children will require short term care, some will benefit from long term fostering.
What Is Long-Term Fostering?
Long term fostering is a care option that is designed to provide children with the level of stability that they need. Unlike short term fostering, long term fostering will often result in a child remaining in the same placement until they reach adulthood or they are able to look after themselves.
Children who receive long term fostering become part of the family and form more significant bonds with their carers. These bonds can last a lifetime.
While it may seem as though long term fostering is just another name for adoption, this is not the case. Both long term fostering and adoption provide a permanent home for children and ensure that they can develop long lasting relationships. The main difference is that with long-term care the local authority retains legal rights to the children. Adoption is also usually self-funded whereas foster carers are provided with a weekly allowance.
The Benefits Of Long Term Fostering
There are many benefits of long term foster care for both the child and the carer.
First, long-term fostering provides a stable home and a structure for the child who needs support. This allows them to focus more on key aspects of their life including school, diet, and social activities.
Children are also able to easily keep in contact with their birth family, when in long term foster care, if this is deemed suitable. It means they no longer need to worry about constant changes in their life including new schools which can be both scary and stressful. A more consistent routine can also help your foster child develop a sense of identity because they will feel as though they do have a place where they belong.
Long term fostering also helps carers form deeper relationships with the children they help and children connect more with their foster carers. It also allows carers to gain more development including a comprehensive understanding of social issues that can impact these children.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The main goal of fostering is to help children and families heal overtime. However, there are cases where this is not always possible. This is true for children with parents who have a history of abuse, trauma, or neglect. In cases like this, children are more likely to receive long-term foster care or adoption. Long term care ensures that these children can gain the structural support they need even if they are able to remain in contact with their birth parents or families.
Long-term fostering involves placing each child who needs long term care with the right care provider. The assessment process for becoming a foster parent is the same regardless of whether you will be providing short term or long term care. Once your application is approved a child will be placed in your care. The whole process can take anywhere up to six months.
Long term fostering allowances are intended to provide all the support a foster parent requires when looking after a child. Also known as foster care pay, this money will usually be in the region of £22,000 per year. However, it will depend on key factors including the number of children you are fostering and the age of the children. You can use a fostering allowance calculator to determine exactly how much you should expect to receive when providing long-term care for a child. Payments are typically provided weekly. As well as alleviating the cost of caring for a child, these payments act as both a reward and recognition of the services provided.
If you are interested in learning more about long term fostering, please contact our team at Match Foster Care today. We can pair you with a child in need of your support.
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