What is parent and child fostering?
Sometimes, new parents need a little extra guidance and support to help them raise healthy, happy children; particularly if they hadn’t experienced a loving and nurturing childhood themselves.
The aim of parent and child fostering is to support young parents to develop the skills and maturity that they need to look after their baby.
Foster carers play a vital role by welcoming the parent and child into their home and providing support, guidance and practical skills they need to care for their child. Placements can occur before the arrival of the child, to help the parents prepare for the baby, after the baby has been born or even a little later in life if there are concerns around their ability to care for their child.
This type of care usually involves looking after young parents who are often mothers (sometimes fathers too) who may have complex needs and require a helping hand with parenting.
What’s the role of a parent and child foster parent?
The role of a parent and child foster parent can be extremely rewarding – by sharing your knowledge, experience and invaluable support, you’re helping a family stay together.
As a parent and child foster parent, you’ll;
- Provide a safe, non-judgement home environment to a parent and their child – this could be a mother and a baby placement, a father and child or both parents.
- Help them understand their baby or child’s development, so they can confidently respond to their changing needs.
- Observe their parenting and keep records, as you may be asked by the fostering service to contribute to a parenting assessment.
- Attend regular specialist training to continuously develop your knowledge and skills, so parents and children receive the very best care.