Learn how we are safely recruiting carers through Coronavirus. Home » About Fostering » Foster Care Definition: What is Fostering? Foster Care Definition: What is Fostering? You may have heard of foster care, but what does it really mean? Currently there are over 83,000 children in the UK living away from home, nearly 80% of these young people are living with foster families. Foster care meaning Fostering is a way of providing a safe and nurturing environment for children and young people when they are unable to live with their birth family. There are many reasons that a young person may not be able to live with their parents. For example, they may suffer abuse or neglect, be involved in a family breakdown or a parents are unable to care for them because they are ill. Our amazing foster families step up to support young people in their time of need. Providing them solace in a loving home, supporting each child in their education, personal life and any other needs they may have. Some fostering placements are only for a temporary period of time while the problems that placed the children in foster care have been resolved. However, they may stay living with their foster family for many years if it’s the best thing for them. Fostering impacts on the whole family and will affect your children if you have them, but we’ve found that this can often be a hugely positive experience for birth children. Young people in foster care are sometimes referred to as “looked after children”. At Commpass we strive to use the correct language when referring to the children and young people in our care. Are there different types of fostering? When trying to define foster care, it’s important to remember that there are many different types of foster care that our carers provide, depending on each young person’s needs. Every child’s backgrounds and upbringings will be unique to them and often children will display different behaviours depending upon their own experiences. We always have the best interest of our young people in mind and will always strive to find the perfect families for them to live with. We consider their needs, appropriate location, ideal living situation, and educational opportunities when making matches with foster families. Fostering or adoption: what’s the difference? Often when people talk about fostering, they can get confused with adoption. There are a number of differences between the two, mostly these are legality ones which you can read more about here. Simply, fostering offers a more temporary basis of care for a young person. Looked after children’s birth families and/or local authority are still responsible legally for the them, whereas adoption is a permanent arrangement, and the adoptive parents have full parental rights. Foster parents receive support in the way of a fostering allowance to help financially, whereas adoptive parents do not get this for adoption. Sometimes it is also possible to adopt a child you foster. Who can become a foster parent? Many people would love to become foster carers but believe wrongly that they wouldn’t be accepted. In reality, the main requirements we ask for at application stage are that you are over the age of 21 and have a spare bedroom. We dispel common myths about who can foster here. More questions? Head over to our FAQs page to find answers to our most commonly asked questions. How to start foster care We want to ensure every looked after child is safe, their needs are being met and they are living in a caring and secure environment. If you think you could provide this for a foster child, or would like to find out more about foster care you can get in touch with us. Related Posts... Our Story: Alex & Jayne Childminding and Foster Care Our journey to the centre of the earth and back! Hiya, I'm Jayne, a wife to Alex, mum to three amazing birth kids, step mum… What Challenges Do Care Leavers Face? Leaving home can be an intimidating and challenging process for any child. For children who have grown up in the foster carer system, the process… Get your digital brochure First Name* Last Name* Phone Number* Email Address* House Number or Name* Postcode* I am interested in fostering as* A couple An individual I’ve got a spare room (required) I accept the privacy policy (see footer) Connect with us Call us 0800 566 8317 About Compass FAQs Infocentre Apply Now Jobs Privacy Policy Modern Slavery Statement Sustainability Commitment FosterTrack 360 Partners Compass Fostering is a trading name for Compass Fostering London Ltd, Company No:03292070, Compass Fostering Wales Ltd Company No:05956931, Compass Fostering South Ltd, Company No:08374139, Compass Fostering North Ltd, Company No: 07054121, Compass Fostering Central Ltd, Company No:04331256. All registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1PF Copyright: Compass Community Limited 2021. 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