Comparing short term and long term fostering

If you are thinking of offering foster care in Liverpool, you might have come across references to long term and short term fostering.

Both of these terms refer to the amount of time you can expect to foster a child for, depending on your living situation, personal preferences and the background of the child in question.

Here at Beacon Fostering, we seek to reassure those considering fostering of the different types of fostering to help them make an informed decision. Continue reading to find out the difference between short term and long term fostering.

Short term fostering

This is the most common type of fostering, lasting for between a few days to a couple of years.

It’s usually for children whose parents or guardians cannot care for them for any number of reasons, if the local authority and social worker is finalising a child’s long term care plan, or if they are under a court order (otherwise known as awaiting remand).

After the period ends, the child either returns to their family of origin, enters long term fostering, or is adopted by another family.

Long term fostering

This is also known as permanent foster care. The period of care can last several years if the courts and social services decide that a child cannot return home or be adopted.

The foster carer will look after the child until they reach early adulthood, depending on the prior arrangements, advocating for their needs and ensuring they grow up in a safe, loving environment.

Both short and long term fostering provide stability and a sense of normalcy for children who cannot live with their biological relatives, and fostering agencies provide advice and support networks to guide carers and children when navigating both routes.