Short break fostering – what is it?

Short break fostering, also known as respite fostering, is a type of foster care where a carer looks after a child for between a few hours to a few days.

It differs from short term fostering, which takes place from a few days to a few years until the child enters long-term care, is adopted or returns to their family of origin. This can be given to either the foster carer or the foster children.

Beacon Fostering understands that foster carers work hard to look after children in foster care, and also that sometimes, the biological families of the children who enter short break fostering need a break as well. Here are some things you need to know about short break fostering.

Which children receive short break fostering?

Children with disabilities and complex needs often enter respite care to give their families of origin a break from looking after them. Alternatively, foster carers may be taking a break to look after themselves, or they have other engagements such as weddings, christenings or holidays.

How do I become a short break foster carer?

Beacon Fostering is open for applications for those seeking to be short break foster carers – whether they are just starting in their fostering journey, or transitioning from their local authority or another fostering agency.

What training is required?

The training that you will receive as a short break carer will be the same as for any other foster carer. While you don’t need previous experience of looking after children and young people, being a short break foster carer will require you to have a flexible schedule.