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Long-term fostering

Sometimes the best solution is for the child to remain with a foster family for several years or up until they are ready to take care of themselves, which is where long-term foster care comes in.

What a child needs from long-term fostering

Most children in need will go into an emergency or short-term foster care while it’s decided what should happen next.

If a judge states that they cannot return home, a long-term solution is required to provide care for them throughout their childhood and offer support into adulthood.

When appropriate and possible, younger children are placed for adoption. Older children are suited to long-term fostering in a stable, permanent home as part of their family. They will remain with this family for several years or up until they’re ready to take care of themselves. This upbringing aims to help them thrive and give them a bright future.

Children placed long term are very much a part of the foster carer’s family. It’s common for these close relationships – and the loving support they bring – to extend beyond the age of 18.

What you get from long-term fostering

This type of foster care is hugely rewarding for the child and the foster family. Long-term foster care is where you can have a huge, lasting impact on the development and outcome of a child’s life.

You will be their care-giver and role model for their future success in life and relationships. We match our long-term carers to children very carefully to give you every chance to succeed in building a strong, effective relationship. More often than not, the child will become a loved member of your family forever.

Our long-term foster carers don’t do this alone: National Fostering Group provides excellent support and training. You have a dedicated Supervising Social Worker who is backed by an experienced local team, access to 24/7 advice and excellent training delivered in your area.

If you think this type of fostering would suit you, please enquire now.

The majority of foster carers are interested in long term placements. They’re interested in forming a bond, in creating a family experience for the child, of loving the child, of being able to make a real positive impact on their lives. It’s an emotional investment.

Ella, supervising social worker

Experiences of long-term fostering

Vince made the brave decision himself at the age of 14 that he wanted to go into foster care because his mum wasn’t coping.

His long-term foster carers, Jennifer and Michael, built strong relationships of trust with him. He eventually started knuckling down at school and followed his dream of joining the Army.

His new self-confidence and growing self-awareness led him to the role he really wanted with the Royal Corps of Signals. Before he left, he said he knew he’d miss his foster parents and that “fostering has been the best thing that ever happened to me”. Read Vince’s touching story in full.

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