Short-Term Foster Care
Short-term fostering is one of the most common and rewarding types of foster care in the UK. It provides children and young people with a safe, stable home during a period of uncertainty while plans are made for their future. Whether you're considering fostering for the first time or exploring which type of care suits your circumstances, this guide explains everything you need to know about becoming a short-term foster carer.
What is Short-Term Fostering?
Short-term fostering, sometimes called temporary fostering, is when a child or young person lives with a foster family on a temporary basis. Unlike long-term fostering, which provides permanent care until adulthood, short-term placements act as a bridge while decisions are made about a child's future.
During this time, you'll provide day-to-day care, stability and support while social workers, courts or local authorities determine the best long-term outcome for the child. This might mean helping them return safely to their birth family, preparing them for adoption, or supporting their transition to a long-term foster placement.
According to The Fostering Network, short-term fostering is the most common type of foster care, making it an excellent starting point for people new to fostering.
How Long Does Short-Term Fostering Last?
Despite the name, short-term fostering doesn't always mean a few days or weeks. Placements can vary significantly:
- A few nights – for emergency situations or while immediate plans are made
- Several weeks – while assessments are completed
- A few months – during court proceedings (typically 26 weeks)
- Up to two years – in more complex cases
The length depends entirely on the child's circumstances and what's happening with their care plan. You won't always know at the start how long a placement will last, which is why flexibility is such an important quality for short-term foster carers.
It's also worth noting that some short-term placements evolve into long-term arrangements if it's determined to be in the child's best interests to stay with you permanently.
Why Do Children Need Short-Term Foster Care?
Children come into short-term foster care for many reasons. Understanding these can help you prepare for the emotional needs of children in your care:
Family crisis or breakdown – A parent may be dealing with illness, hospitalisation, or other circumstances that temporarily prevent them from caring for their child.
Care proceedings – When concerns have been raised about a child's safety, they may need somewhere safe to stay while courts decide on their future. Under the Children Act 1989, these proceedings typically take around 26 weeks.
Assessment period – Social workers need time to assess a child's needs and determine the best long-term plan, whether that's reunification with family, adoption, or permanent foster care.
Transition support – A child may need short-term care while waiting for a long-term placement to become available or while being introduced to adoptive parents.
Respite for families – Some children with disabilities or complex needs require periodic short-term care to give their birth families a break.
What Happens After a Short-Term Placement?
The goal of short-term fostering is always to work towards the best outcome for the child. This typically means one of the following:
- Returning home – If it's safe and appropriate, children return to their birth family once issues have been resolved
- Moving to long-term foster care – Sometimes with you, sometimes with another family better suited to their long-term needs
- Being placed for adoption – For younger children where adoption is deemed the best permanent solution
- Moving to supported living – For older teenagers approaching independence
As a short-term foster carer, you play a crucial role in preparing children for these transitions. You may have more contact with birth families than long-term carers, and you might be involved in introducing children to their adoptive families.
What Does a Short-Term Foster Carer Do?
Your day-to-day responsibilities as a short-term foster carer are similar to any parent:
- Providing a safe, welcoming home environment
- Meeting the child's physical needs (meals, clothing, healthcare)
- Supporting their education and attending school meetings
- Taking them to appointments with social workers, therapists, or medical professionals
- Facilitating contact with their birth family where appropriate
- Keeping records and communicating with your supervising social worker
- Helping the child understand their situation in an age-appropriate way
What makes short-term fostering unique is the emphasis on helping children through transition. You're providing stability during one of the most uncertain times in their lives, which requires patience, empathy, and emotional resilience. Having the right qualities matters far more than having prior experience.
Is Short-Term Fostering Right for Me?
Short-term fostering suits people who:
- Want flexibility – You can take breaks between placements if needed
- Are new to fostering – It's often recommended as a starting point to build experience
- Can handle goodbyes – You'll need emotional resilience when children move on
- Work well with professionals – You'll collaborate closely with social workers, birth families, and sometimes adopters
- Can respond to varying needs – Each placement brings different children with different backgrounds
If you're unsure whether you're ready to commit to caring for a child until they reach adulthood, short-term fostering lets you make a meaningful difference without that long-term commitment.
However, if you think you'd struggle with children leaving your care, you might want to consider long-term fostering or respite care instead.
Short-Term Fostering vs Other Types of Foster Care
Understanding how short-term fostering compares to other options can help you decide what's right for you:
| Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Days to 2 years | Temporary care while plans are made |
| Long-term | Until age 18+ | Permanent home for children who can't return to birth family |
| Emergency | Usually 1-2 nights | Immediate placement when a child is in crisis |
| Respite | Weekends/holidays | Giving other foster carers a break |
| Parent & child | 12 weeks to 6 months | Supporting young parents to care for their baby |
Many foster carers start with short-term placements before moving into more specialist areas. Learn more about the different types of fostering to find your best fit.
What Support Will I Receive?
At Olive Branch Fostering, we understand that short-term fostering can be emotionally demanding. That's why we provide comprehensive support:
- 24/7 telephone support – Someone is always available when you need advice
- Dedicated supervising social worker – Regular face-to-face visits and guidance
- Ongoing training – Build your skills with courses on attachment, trauma, and child development
- Support groups – Connect with other foster carers who understand your experiences
- Competitive allowance – Financial support to cover the costs of caring for a child
We also provide specialist training to help you support children through transitions, manage challenging behaviours, and work effectively with birth families.
You don't need any formal qualifications to become a foster carer – we provide all the training you need.
How to become a Short-Term foster carer
Speak with Us
The first step is to get in touch! We’ll have a chat to learn more about you, answer your questions, and explain what long-term fostering involves. This is your chance to find out if fostering is the right fit for you.
Home Visit
Next, we’ll arrange a visit to your home. Don’t worry - it’s not about perfection! We’ll check that your home is safe and has enough space for a child, and we’ll talk more about what fostering looks like day-to-day.
Application Form
If you’re ready to move forward, you’ll fill out an application form. This gives us all the important details about you, your family, and your background so we can get the ball rolling.
Checks and References
As fostering is such an important role, we’ll carry out thorough checks, including a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and speak with your references. This is to make sure everything is in place to support you and the child you’ll care for.
Fostering Training
Before you welcome a child into your home, you’ll attend our fostering training sessions. These are designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to provide the best care possible.
Panel Interview
The final step is meeting our fostering panel. This is a chance for us to discuss your application and for you to share why you want to foster. If approved, you’ll officially be ready to start your journey as a long-term foster carer!
Frequently Asked Questions About Short-Term Fostering
Yes. If it's in the child's best interests to stay with you, a short-term placement can become permanent. Many foster carers have welcomed children on a temporary basis only to become their long-term family.
Often, yes. Short-term foster carers typically facilitate more contact with birth parents than long-term carers, as the goal may be reunification. Your social worker will guide you through this process.
You'll need to be available for school runs, appointments, and meetings. Some flexibility is required, though fostering alongside work is possible depending on your circumstances.
Respite fostering might suit you better if you can only commit to weekends or school holidays.
No. While experience helps, it's not essential. We look for people with the right qualities – patience, empathy, resilience – and provide comprehensive training to prepare you.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Short-term fostering offers an incredible opportunity to provide stability and care during some of the most challenging moments in a child's life. Even if your time together is brief, the positive impact you make can last a lifetime.
If you're ready to begin your fostering journey, or simply want to learn more, contact our friendly team today. We're happy to answer your questions with no obligation. Alternatively, call us on 01706 558910 to chat with one of our fostering advisors.
Learn more about the fostering process or check if you meet the requirements to foster.
Allowance and benefits
When you choose to foster, you’ll receive benefits and allowances designed to cover the costs of care and recognise the incredible work you do. We’re proud to offer a competitive rate that ensures you’re fully supported in providing the best possible care.
Your allowance covers essentials like food, clothing, and household bills to meet the child’s needs, as well as additional expenses for any special requirements the children might have.
Alongside your financial allowance, you’ll have access to regular training and round-the-clock support from our team to help you feel confident and prepared.
If you’d like to learn more about how your allowances and benefits are calculated, we’re always here to talk it through!
Other types of fostering
Long-term
Young people who can no longer live with their birth family are placed in to a long term foster, until they are ready to move to independence.
Emergency Fostering
When kids need a safe place in a hurry, emergency fostering steps in. These placements happen with little warning and are usually short-term, sometimes just for a night.
Respite Fostering
Respite fostering is great if you can’t foster full-time but still want to make a difference. These short stays, from a few hours to a weekend, give kids a safe place while their carers take a well-earned break. Our foster carers get a 14-day respite allowance.
Still have questions about fostering?
Choose a date and time on the calendar below, and one of our fostering advisors will give you a call to discuss any questions you might have.