Emergency foster care
Making a difference to children when they are in their most immediate need of a place to stay…
Why do we need emergency fostering?
Emergency fostering is a vital short-term service which supports families and protects children when they are most in need of somewhere to stay.
Emergency foster parents play a unique and necessary role in protecting children who face immediate risk of harm, providing a safe and comforting place for them to call their own when their family is in crisis.
Emergency foster care is needed for all kinds of urgent situations, including:
- If a parent or guardian has suddenly taken ill
- If there has been a major incident at the family home, such as domestic violence against a family member or a report of abuse
- If a child’s family have faced eviction and have nowhere to go
- If a parent or guardian has sadly passed away
Emergency foster parents provide a temporary safe haven for a child in need until they can return home, or until the local authority has decided upon other arrangements.
Typically, emergency foster care lasts only a few days. In some instances, a child may stay a little longer, and it could be your responsibility as their foster parent to take them to school and any appointments.
Start your fostering journey here
Download our brochure and discover everything you need to know about fostering with Orange Grove.
The essential role of emergency foster parents
Often, a child brought into emergency foster care may be upset and may have very little understanding of what’s happening to them and their family. They might be bewildered, frightened and traumatised.
It’s the job of an emergency foster parent to provide them with a safe home, comfort, and understanding. Having a person who can provide them with emotional support and security at this difficult time is invaluable to a child in need.
Who can become an emergency foster parent?
It’s important that you can easily adapt to change and have a flexible schedule. Due to the nature of emergency fostering, children will often come into foster care with very little notice, often after being removed from a potentially harmful situation.
You’ll almost certainly find that you receive requests to provide a safe place for a child outside of usual hours. This includes at weekends, or even in the middle of the night. Due to this, emergency fostering is ideal for people who are available at short notice and who thrive in challenging situations.
Our expert foster care training will ensure you’re prepared for every situation. You can also reach out to us for support whenever you need us by calling our 24/7 helpline to get expert guidance from our out-of-hours helpline.
If you’d like to know more, or have any questions on fostering, please get in touch with our team – we’re more than happy to help.
Emergency fostering is a great choice if you:
- Have the admirable ability to quickly form a trusted bond with a vulnerable child
- Are calming, understanding and compassionate
- Can be flexible and adaptable in meeting the needs of children in crisis
- Have a home which is always ready and able to welcome a child in need
- expert training programmes, which will equip you with a range of skills to help you care for children with a wide variety of needs and experiences
Emergency fostering pay
As an emergency foster parent, you’ll receive a generous payment for each night a child spends in your care. You’ll also have exclusive access to our online rewards platform, where you can find hundreds of discounts to some of your favourite shops, restaurants, and fun family experiences.
Why choose Orange Grove?
When you join us, you’ll also benefit from:
- Excellent support tailored to your family, including specialised support for your children or grandchildren
- Advanced training opportunities in areas of your choosing, including supporting children with additional needs
- The opportunity to be part of a community of foster parents, coming together for regular support groups, family-friendly events and our foster parent ‘buddy’ scheme
However you choose to foster, we’ll be here to support you and the children in your care every step of the way, with expert advice, support for every member of your family, and training tailored to you. If emergency foster care sounds like the right fit for you and your family, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency foster care process?
When a child is in immediate need of a safe place to stay, their local authority will get in touch with our team. Our expert referrals team will then spring into action to find an emergency foster parent who has the skills to accommodate all of the child’s needs.
We’ll then get in touch with the ideal emergency foster parent and ask them if they’re available to welcome the child. Our team will then review the match, and if it’s agreed that it’s the right fit for the child and the foster family, we’ll put them forward to the local authority. If the local authority agrees, they’ll arrange for the child to be taken to the emergency foster parent’s home.
How long do children stay in emergency foster care?
A child who’s brought into foster care on an emergency basis will usually stay with their emergency foster parent for up to five nights, or perhaps a little longer if their emergency foster parent can provide them with a safe place to live while the right arrangements are made for their care.
Can I be an emergency foster parent alongside other types of fostering?
You may be able to provide emergency fostering alongside other types of fostering, providing this is in the best interests of the other children in your home. This is a great option for foster parents who are looking to do more to help, and who have extra space in their home to welcome another child.
It’s also an excellent way to help children while you’re not caring for a young person on a longer-term basis.
Respite
Respite carers provide foster parents with a chance to rest, while they take care of the children for a night or two.
Short-term
Short-term fostering can range from a single night to a few years, depending on the child’s and family’s needs.
Parent & Child
Foster parents provide a home to a young expectant mum or a vulnerable parent and their young child.
Siblings
There’s a real shortage of individuals who can provide siblings with a loving home so they can stay together.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we’re here to talk.
Enquiry
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