An Introduction to Fostering

Fostering is looking after a child or young person in your home when, for whatever reason they are not able to live at home with their birth parents. There are many reasons why we may need to arrange for children and young people to be looked after:

• Their parent may be ill or going through a particularly challenging time in their lives when they find it difficult to care for their children.
• Their parent may have a drug and/or alcohol problem that prevents them being able to care for their children.
• Their parent may need help sorting out problems.
• To help the child or young person through a difficult period in their lives.
• The child or young person may have suffered some form of abuse or neglect.
• The parents of a child or young person with a disability or special needs may need support.

Some children may only need to be fostered for a short time, and others may need to be looked after until they are adult. Often the aim is for children to return home to their parents once the problems have been resolved and it is clear that their parents are able to safely look after them. However in some cases a new permanent family may be required either through long-term foster care or adoption.

Fostering does not involve a court process. The child's birth parents still hold parental responsibility for them, and can be very involved in the care and decisions of their children while they are in care. Foster carers are required to work closely with Manchester City Council and the child's birth family to facilitate contact with the child's family and friends as much as possible. Although how much involvement the birth parents have will vary depending on circumstances.