How Is It Beneficial?
- What is foster care respite?
- How is it beneficial for both foster parents and the children or young people in their care?
- Respite foster care with Changing Futures – How we can help…
What Is Foster Care Respite?
Respite foster care, in principle, is a type of temporary, short-term and sometimes emergency placement that places a child or young person with a different foster family for a short period of time. This typically could be their foster family, adoptive family, a different foster family or even their birth family, depending on the arrangement set up and where they are currently spending most of their time. Whatever the arrangement, foster care respite is designed to offer a break for both foster parents and the children or young people in their care.
How Is It Beneficial For Both Foster Parents And The Children Or Young People In Their Care?
We’re all only human, so when unexpected events occur, stress levels get high, or when it feels like everyone needs a small break from each other, foster care respite is available to give everyone time to recharge their batteries. For foster parents caring for children or young people with a higher level of care needs or with a disability, it is a particularly useful option, as these placements can often be more physically and emotionally demanding. Everyone needs a break, and respite placements provide this and help diffuse stress by providing a period of rest and rejuvenation that keeps relationships healthy and happy. It’s also a good opportunity for prospective foster parents who don’t have the facilities or time for a more permanent placement to get involved and fulfill their desire to foster, even for shorter periods of time. Foster care respite also allows the child or young person in a more permanent placement to expand their support network and have another familiar face they can trust and rely on. Typically, this means that a respite carer will be linked to a particular foster child or young person to offer a sense of security and stability and allow for relationships to develop long-term.
Respite Foster Care With Changing Futures – How We Can Help…
At Changing Futures, we know better than anyone that fostering can be stressful and certainly has its ups and downs. This is why we take the time to care for all of our foster parents, children, and young people. This way, we can make sure that everyone gets the break they need in order to recharge. We’ve found that foster care respite is an incredibly beneficial part of fostering and helps to support long-lasting, loving relationships. This is why we advocate for respite foster care and ensure we have systems in place that offer safe and fun homes-away-from-home. The main thing, when it comes to respite, is having foster parents willing to create a playful, fun environment where children and young people can thrive whilst giving their parents a well-needed and well-deserved rest too!
At Changing Futures Fostering, we’re all about providing our foster parents with the information and support they need to really make a difference in a vulnerable child’s life. If you need any more information about foster care respite or how you can become a respite foster parent with Changing Futures, please click here to contact us. Or, please feel free to give us a call on 01429 363 127 or email us at admin@changingfuturesne.co.uk to speak to our brilliant fostering team!