Respite Fostering

Respite fostering is a crucial service offered by independent fostering agencies like Footprints across the UK. It provides short-term care for children and young people, giving their full-time foster carers or families a temporary break.

These placements are carefully planned to ensure continuity of care for the child and are a rewarding way for respite foster carers to make a meaningful impact in a flexible role.

What is respite fostering?

Respite fostering involves caring for a child for a short period, which could range from a single weekend to a couple of weeks. It is often used to:

-Allow full-time foster carers or birth families time to rest and recharge
-Provide care during emergencies, such as when the primary carer is unwell
-Support families during school holidays or other specific times when extra help is needed

Why it matters

Fostering can be a demanding role, and respite fostering plays a key part in sustaining the well-being of full-time carers, ensuring they can continue providing the best care for children.

For the children, respite fostering offers continuity and stability during transitions while giving them new experiences in a supportive, welcoming environment.

Who can be a respite foster carer?

Respite foster carers come from all walks of life. Whether you’re single, in a couple, working, or retired, if you have the time, space, and commitment to care for a child, respite fostering could be an ideal role. It is particularly suited to those who may not be able to commit to full-time fostering but still want to make a difference.

Benefits of Respite Fostering include:

• Flexibility: Care for children only at times that suit your schedule
• Rewarding Role: Build connections with children and provide essential support
• Financial Allowance: Footprints’ competitive allowances reflect the time and care provided
• Comprehensive Support: Access to training and 24/7 assistance from Footprint’s qualified team.

Get in touch

By becoming a respite foster carer with Footprints, you’ll play a vital role in supporting foster families and helping children thrive.

Contact us to learn how you can make a difference, one short stay at a time.

Want to know more about fostering?

* We respect your privacy by not sharing or selling your email address. Please view our Privacy Notice for more details.

Contact Us

Footprints Foster Care Ltd
Registered Company No 07879639

Longham Business Park
168 Ringwood Road
Ferndown
Dorset BH22 9BU

T: 01202 573408

Email Us »

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Stage One Contact & home visit


Please do not be anxious about contacting us
– we promise not to put you under any pressure. We are happy to answer your questions and we need to ask questions to make sure that you meet some basic criteria, such as do you have a spare bedroom and live in the right area?
Assuming that these basic criteria are met and you are happy to proceed, we will arrange to come and meet you at your home.
The home visit usually lasts 1-2 hours and gives both parties the chance to ask lots of questions. We find out more about you and you find out more about us and what we can offer. If everyone is happy to proceed you will be given an application form to complete.
If however, having found out more about fostering, you decide that you do not wish to proceed, then do not feel embarrassed to say so. We will also be honest and let you know if we do not feel it is in your interests to proceed.

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Stage Two Assessment


If you decide to proceed, you will complete an application form and go into the assessment process. This can take between 3–6 months and is undertaken by a qualified social worker.
It is a thorough process and one which helps people understand what has shaped their lives, prepares them for the challenge of fostering and determines their motivation to foster. As part of this process, we will also undertake statutory checks and personal references, including police checks, personal and employment references and medicals.
The social worker will also meet with your personal referees, members of your household and any adult children you have living away from home to ensure they fully support your intentions to foster.

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Stage Three Initial Training


During the assessment period, you will have the opportunity to attend the Skills to Foster™ course that provides the foundation for future learning and development, as well as giving you the confidence to undertake your first placement.
You will also be required to complete a portfolio of evidence to support your assessment.

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Stage Four Fostering Panel


After stage 3 has been completed, your assessment and portfolio will be presented to a Fostering Panel. The panel is made of experienced social work practitioners and independent members, who will have carefully considered the report in advance of the panel.
You and your assessor will both attend the fostering panel to enable panel members to meet you, address any points for clarification and hear any final questions you may have.
If the panel is satisfied the requirements regarding your suitability to foster are met, they will make a recommendation to approve you as a foster carer.
The ultimate decision to approve lies with the agency decision maker, who will carefully consider the recommendation made by the fostering panel.

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