New To Fostering | Tutisfostercare

NEW TO FOSTERING

Fostering is the process of providing a safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children who cannot live with their birth families. Foster carers play a vital role in offering love, guidance, and support to children in need, helping them through challenging times and giving them the opportunity to thrive.

Fostering can be short-term, long-term, or specialised, depending on the needs of the child. Some children may need a foster home for just a few days, while others may require care for months or even years. Whatever the duration, fostering provides a child with security, routine, and the emotional support they need.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOSTER CARE

Long Term Fostering

Long term fostering offers children a permanent, supportive home when returning to their birth family is not an option. It allows children to grow up in a stable family environment, often over several years, with consistent care and the opportunity to build lasting relationships. Long term carers play a vital role in helping children feel secure, achieve their potential, and plan for adulthood.

Short Term Fostering

Short term foster care provides children with a safe, stable and nurturing environment for a few days, weeks, or months while longer-term plans are made. This type of care is often needed during times of uncertainty, such as court proceedings or while social workers explore the best permanent solution for the child, whether that’s returning home, moving to long-term foster care, or adoption.

Emergency Fostering

Emergency foster care is needed when a child must be placed in a safe home with very little notice, often due to a crisis or sudden family breakdown. These placements are usually short—often overnight or for a few days—but require carers who can respond quickly, provide reassurance, and offer a calm, secure environment during a stressful time.

Respite Fostering

Respite care provides short-term placements to give full-time foster carers, birth families, or children themselves a break. It might be for a weekend, a week, or during school holidays. This type of care helps support placement stability and wellbeing, and is especially helpful for children with additional needs or complex behaviours.

Therapeutic Fostering

Therapeutic foster care is designed for children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or significant emotional challenges. Carers receive specialist training and support to provide a highly nurturing, structured, and trauma-informed environment. This type of care helps children heal, build trust, and develop positive relationships at their own pace.

Parent and Child Arrangement

Parent and child placements offer a unique opportunity to support a parent and their baby or young child in a safe, supervised setting. The foster carer provides guidance, encouragement, and practical support to help the parent develop the skills and confidence needed to care for their child, while also assisting professionals in assessing the family’s needs.

THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING?

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding and life-changing decisions you can make. Every day, thousands of children across the UK need safe, loving homes where they can feel valued and supported. By opening your heart and your home, you could make a lasting difference in a child's life.

Foster carers come from all walks of life. You don’t need to be married, own your home, or have children of your own - what matters most is your ability to offer a nurturing environment and a genuine desire to support children through both the highs and challenges of their lives. We welcome carers of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

When you foster with Tutis, you're never alone. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way - from your initial enquiry, through the assessment process, to welcoming your first child and beyond. We provide full training, 24/7 support, and a generous allowance to help you focus on what truly matters: being there for a child when they need it most.

ELIGIBILITY

We welcome foster carers from all walks of life, but there are some circumstances that may affect your ability to be approved. Every application is assessed individually, but the following are 9 common factors that may prevent someone from fostering:

Being Under 21

You must be at least 21 years old to foster.

This is a legal requirement in the UK, designed to ensure carers have the maturity and life experience needed to support a child.

History of Serious Criminal Offence

A history of serious offences -

especially those involving violence, abuse, or harm to children - will likely prevent you from fostering.

Lack of Stable Accomodation

Foster children need a safe, secure home with their own bedroom.

If you don’t have stable housing or sufficient space, this could affect your eligibility.

Substance Misuse

Ongoing or recent issues with drug or alcohol misuse may raise safeguarding concerns and affect your ability to care for a child safely.

Safeguarding Concerns

Any history of child protection concerns involving you or someone in your household will be taken seriously and may prevent you from fostering.

Unwillingness to Work With Professionals

Foster carers are part of a wider team supporting the child.

If you're unable or unwilling to work with social workers, educators, and other professionals, this may be an issue.

Not Living in the UK Permanently

You must be living in the UK on a long-term or permanent basis.

Temporary residency or immigration uncertainty may affect your eligibility.

Lack of Time or Availability

Fostering requires time, flexibility, and commitment. If your job or lifestyle doesn’t allow for this, it could impact your suitability.

Lack of Support Network

Fostering can be challenging at times, and having trusted friends, family, or a local support network is important for your wellbeing and resilience as a carer.

If you have little or no support, this may be taken into consideration.

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