Different types of fostering

Short-term fostering is a temporary arrangement for children in care. We look for short term foster care when parents are unable to care for their child on a temporary basis, usually up to two years until a child's plan is finalised.

Long-term fostering is where a foster carer agrees to care for a child or children for long periods, often into adulthood. Children benefit from greater stability from a young age right through to the age of 18 and beyond, where possible

Short break care is sometimes known as respite care. As with all families, foster care adults and children can benefit from time away from their usual living arrangements

Specialist foster care requires carers who are willing to care for children or young people who have higher levels of need. To be a specialist foster carer, you will complete extra training

Parent and child fostering is where a young parent, who may be within the later stages of pregnancy or with a newborn, stays with a foster carer

Across the North East there is a growing number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children who have no responsible adult to look after them.