Parent and baby fostering is where a parent and their young child live with a foster family. Any new parent will tell you just how tough it can be having children. Becoming a parent at an early age or when you have not had a good experience of being parented yourself can be completely overwhelming.
Our parent and baby foster carers support the young parent to develop the maturity and skills they need to look after their baby, helping to build their confidence and hopefully become good parents and live independently.
The benefits of parent and baby fostering
Fostering a young parent and their baby is a very rewarding experience. Carers offer support and guidance to a young family at a time when they need it the most, helping to keep the family together.
Foster carers also play a vital role in helping a young parent develop a bond with their baby, at an important stage in their development.
The baby benefits from the extra support received by the parent giving them the best start in life.
The parent gets to live in a stable family environment, which helps them to focus on looking after their baby without worrying about anything else.
Becoming a parent and baby foster carer
There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. Life experience and personal qualities make all the difference to a young person and their baby.
If you are a good listener, have a great sense of humour, plenty of energy and always see the bright side of life, you already have the qualities we are looking for.
You can apply to foster regardless of marital status, sexuality, race or religion, or whether you are in work or have a disability.
All we ask is that you are:
- Over 21 years old
- Have room in your home
- Have the time and flexibility to be able to care for a young parent and their baby.
Support you receive
Fostering a young family can be challenging as well as rewarding, so we will support you throughout your time as a parent and baby foster carer.
Parent and baby fostering is considered as a specialist role and is treated accordingly.
All parent and baby foster carers receive:
- A competitive financial package
- One to one support with your own social worker
- Specialised training to help you provide the best care possible
- Emergency support line.