Foster carers working in this area use their skills and training to help a vulnerable Parent gain the knowledge and confidence needed to parent their child. In the past, these placements were known as ‘mother and baby placements’. As the carer may be supporting a mother or father, or occasionally both, the name has been changed to ‘Parent and Child’. Before being placed with a Foster carer, they will have in common an inability to care for their baby. There are a number of reasons why this might be the case. Someone with a learning disability can find it difficult to learn parenting skills. Becoming a parent when your own upbringing may have been traumatic and chaotic can have a detrimental impact. 

A local authority has the ultimate responsibility for a child. Parent and Child foster carers play a vital role in the decision authorities have to make about whether a baby can remain with their parent. Despite the best efforts of the foster carer, this is not always possible. The hope is always that a baby can remain with their parent (s) keeping the family unit intact. To achieve this goal, these placements are intensive as they usually last 12 to 14 weeks. This is a relatively short time, meaning a lot of ground has to be covered if a parent is to attain the skills and confidence needed to keep their infant. Parent and Child foster carers need good observational and recording skills. Striking a balance is key: a young parent who feels they are being constantly watched can struggle to gain the confidence needed. Parent and Child foster carers themselves receive in-depth support and regular training. Behind them will be their own dedicated social worker who can arrange additional help and guidance. This might be from a specialist professional such as a psychologist: each case is always judged on its own merits.

Foster a new future today!

Right now, foster carers are in short supply. 82,000 children and young people are being looked after. Some estimates point toward there possibly being up to 100,000 children needing uk fostering by 2025. We provide all the training and support needed for anyone considering fostering. The support is there 365 days a year. If you’re wondering how much you receive for fostering, the foster care allowance we pay for caring for children is generous. Rainbow are one of the leading independent fostering agencies and we are now in our twenty-fifth year. 

For more information on fostering, call our National line at 0330 311 2845 or email – [email protected]

And visit our blog section – a knowledge bank for foster carers, anyone thinking about fostering and anyone interested in issues relating to fostering –

 https://rainbowfostering.co.uk/foster-care-and-the-importance-of-life-story-work/ We recommend checking out our website’s FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) page which can be found at – https://rainbowfostering.co.uk/frequent-asked-questions/ Learn more about the work of Ofsted by visiting – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted/about

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