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A collaborative service for:
Cheshire East Council Cheshire West and Chester Halton Borough Council Knowsley Council Liverpool Council St Helens Council Warrington Borough Council Wiral Council
A collaborative service for:
Cheshire East Council Cheshire West and Chester Halton Borough Council Warrington Borough Council
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Can I become a part-time foster carer?

4 Feb 2025 | News

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What is Part-Time Fostering?

Part-time foster care, also known as short break care or respite fostering, provides temporary foster care for children who live full-time at home with their families or with full-time foster carers.

Part-time foster carers can offer a range of part-time care according to their own availability and choice.

Part-time fostering allows you to make a significant impact on a child’s life, even if you have other commitments. Whether you’re providing a safe and nurturing environment for a child in an emergency or offering respite care to support full-time foster carers, part-time fostering is a flexible and rewarding way to help children in need.

You can offer support on a schedule that works for you, such as one weekend a month or be available for emergencies. It’s a rewarding way to make a difference in a child’s life without needing to commit full-time.

Is part-time fostering a good way to start fostering?

Yes, part-time fostering is a great way to start your fostering journey! It allows you to ease into the role by planning care around your lifestyle, such as starting with one weekend a month. This flexibility helps you gain experience and see how fostering fits with your other commitments, giving you the opportunity to gradually take on more if it works for you. It’s a fantastic way to make a meaningful impact while building confidence and skills at your own pace.

What is the difference between emergency fostering and part-time fostering?

Emergency fostering is a type of part-time fostering where carers provide immediate, short-term care for children who need a safe place to stay on very short notice, often due to unforeseen crises. These placements are typically unplanned and can last from a single night up to a few days.

Part-time fostering, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes various types of flexible care, such as respite fostering, weekend care, or school holiday placements. It allows foster carers to provide support on a part-time basis, helping children and their long-term carers by offering a change of scenery or time to reset.

Can I work alongside part-time fostering?

Yes, you can work alongside part-time fostering! Part-time fostering is designed to be flexible, allowing you to provide care while maintaining a full-time job or other commitments.

A certain level of flexibility is required to meet the needs of the child e.g. welcoming a child into your home on the Friday and dropping them off at school on Monday, but we can chat to you about how the role would suit your current working hours.

What level of commitment is needed to be a part-time foster carer?

The level of commitment needed to be a part-time foster carer is flexible and can be tailored to fit your lifestyle. It might involve providing care one weekend a month, offering support during school holidays, or stepping in during emergencies. You can choose the type and frequency of care that works for you, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while balancing other commitments, such as work or family responsibilities.

Though part time foster carers do not be care for a child full-time, they still need to meet fostering standards and regulations and this includes having a spare bedroom to be able to offer overnight care to a child or young person.

How can I get in touch with Foster4 to find out more? We are here to get you started as a Foster Carer for your local council, and there are plenty of ways you can reach us;

Our expert Fostering Support Workers are at the other end waiting to hear from you.

Feeling inspired? Enquire today. We’d love to hear from you.