Parent and child fostering

Parent and Child Fostering

Parent and Child fostering (sometimes referred to historically as mother and baby fostering) is a specialist area of fostering that some carers choose to pursue.

As a Parent and Child foster carer, you open your home to both a parent and their child. Most commonly this is a mother and baby, but we have also supported fathers and babies, and occasionally a parent with more than one child.

This type of fostering is different from other placements. You are not simply providing day-to-day care for the child. Instead, your role is to model, guide and support the parent as they learn to care for their baby safely and consistently. You offer structure, boundaries and practical support while professionals assess the parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs.

Parent and Child placements are often a critical stage in care proceedings. In some cases, it is the final opportunity for a parent to demonstrate that they can safely care for their child. As a foster carer, you can play a significant role in helping families stay together where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

This is a rewarding but demanding specialism. It requires confidence, clear communication, good record-keeping and the ability to remain balanced and professional. You will work closely with social workers and other professionals, and you will receive specific training and ongoing supervision to support you in the role.

There is a strong need for more Parent and Child foster carers across Southern England. If you feel this specialist type of fostering could be right for you, we would welcome a conversation. You can request a call back or start an online chat with us to find out more.