Types of fostering in West Sussex
Children come into care for many reasons. They all come from different backgrounds and have diverse needs. As a result, there are a number of different types of fostering we provide. We carefully match children with carers who have the skills and experience needed and we will work with you and your family to explore the best options for you.
Read more about the type of foster care you could provide below.Â
Fostering Types
Mainstream
Children With Disabilities
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
Parent And Child
Supported Lodgings
Respite
Connected Persons
Connected Persons can be relatives, friends or another person connected to the child for example a childminder, teacher or youth worker.
Special Guardians
Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) provide a permanent home for a child who can no longer live with their parents. An SGO formally recognises one or more people as a ‘special guardian’ of the child.
Although the child maintains links with their birth family, their special guardians have the majority of parental responsibility for them. Unlike an adoption order, the child maintains strong ties with their birth family.
Private fostering
Private fostering is when a child or young person under 16 years old (or 18 if they are registered disabled) is cared for, and given accommodation, for 28 days or more by someone who is not a close relative.
A privately fostered child is not classed as a ‘child looked after’ and there is a legal duty for people looking after someone else’s child under such an arrangement to notify their local authority.
Independent Visitor Volunteer
If you’re not quite ready to foster but would like to help support the children we care for on a voluntary basis, the Independent Visitor Volunteer Scheme may be for you.
