Emergency foster care

Emergency carers are part of a small dedicated team of experienced foster carers providing support and stability at very short notice. Emergency foster carers provide emergency cover, outside of office hours, for children and young people who are not able to stay with friends or relatives. Emergency carers are able to provide a safe and stable home for a night or over the weekend.

The role works on a rota basis so you will need to be able to accommodate young people (from babies up to age 18) at immediate notice between the hours of 5.30pm and 9 am and be able to care for the child until 12pm the following day when on the duty rota. It may include keeping a child or young person for the weekend. The rota works on a two week on, two weeks off basis. This enables carers to make a regular short-term commitment to fostering, whilst having time for themselves and their family when not on duty.

What will I need to do?

When caring for a child on a emergency basis, you will need to: 

• Show you have the commitment and ability to accept a child or young person. 
• Be prepared for sudden arrivals.
• Be adaptable to individual needs.
• Support children and young people to transition between carers.
• Encourage and support them to access education where appropriate.
• Offer a safe and caring environment for a child or young person.
• Recognise that behaviour is a form of communication and adapt the way you parent accordingly.
• Be supportive of family and support networks.

What support will I receive?

As a foster carer, you will receive: 

• A weekly fee of £411.18 when on the ED rota and a resting rate of £96.32 per week.
• The support of a dedicated fostering social worker
• The support of a team of professionals who are working with the young person in your care and who can offer you one to one advice and support if needed
• Access to a specialist training programme, some of which will commence during your assessment period
• Opportunities for peer support and networking.
• Support from our in-house psychologist.
• Access to 24-hour support via the foster care support line and emergency duty team.

Watch our short Q&A video on emergency foster care