What is Fostering a Parent & Child?

A specialist placement for new parents to develop their skills, in a safe family environment for both them and their children.

This could be a mother or father and a child, multiple children or mother and father with multiple children – there is no rule on what combination of people requires a parent and child placement.

The reasons why people require parent and child placements are plentiful, they could be young parents with concerns about their capabilities to care for themselves with a new baby to adults with disabilities who need time and attention to ensure the child is cared for appropriately.

As with teenagers, there are so many aspects of fostering older people that can be incredibly rewarding and parent and child placements are no different. Enabling a parent to develop bonds with their child is possibly the most rewarding of them all. A child is always best kept with the birth family and facilitating an environment where time, love and energy can be focussed on developing a relationship with your support is a hugely important service that The CFT is proud to support.


Your time will be spent coaching and mentoring the parents with us, rather than the children alone. Each case is unique so levels of support may vary, you may be tasked with more hands-on care for the child depending on the concerns and capabilities of the parent also in your care, you may just provide a supportive and reassuring presence so that the parents can develop their skills under your supervision.

Outcomes of fostering a parent & child

You will supply a safe and caring environment for the most vulnerable parents in the country. The placements are defined by a set period but can be extended if the parent thinks it is necessary.

After the placement duration has elapsed ideally, the families you take in will remain together and move on from your home into a world of independence that you’ve prepared them for.

The biggest outcome is developing confidence in the parent’s ability to make the correct decisions for their family. A lot of the time self-esteem is low and building this up is fundamental to a successful placement, fostering a lack of judgment, building trust and knowing when/how to step in is crucial to enabling a parent and child to make that step into independent living.

Make an enquiry!

Become a foster carer

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Fostering-Network
Your interview - What you need to know.
If you’ve been invited to an interview, it’s your chance to meet us, tell us about yourself, and take a step towards building your incredible career.
Your interview is your opportunity to learn more about us.
So come prepared with your questions. Plus its our opportunity to get to know you, understand your motivation to work in this sector and get a good understanding of your experience and background.
The first step.
Is either a face to face interview carried out in person or via TEAMS. If you’re successful, the next stage is a more formal interview with at least two members of our team. At least one of the interview panel will have been trained in the NSPCC safer recruitment standards.
You might be invited for a second interview.
Or we might ask you to prepare a presentation or other sample of work. Think about what the role requires and prepare to show you’re a great fit.
We’ll carry out a criminal record check.
Bring the necessary identity documents to your formal interview. The address on the documents should match the address on your application form. You’ll need proof of your right to work in the UK, you will be provided with a list of approved identification documents in line with The Disclosure and Barring Service and proof of your address.
Certificates!
Remember to bring any qualification certificates that are required for the role.
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Be a successful candidate!
Read through our hints and tips and give yourself the best chance at a career with The CFT.
Do your research!
Look at our website and check that you match our outlook and culture.
Apply via our application form.
We require a fully completed application form, we’ll ask for your full employment history from age 16, include all job titles, employment dates and your reason for leaving – and if there are any gaps, please tell us why.
We’ll need contact details of referees.
Referee's should be people you’ve worked with during the last three years. One should be your most recent employer. We’ll also need a reference from any employer where you’ve worked directly with children and young people and a personal referee.
We’ll carry out a criminal record check.
If you’ve lived abroad within the last ten years, you might also be asked to complete an overseas criminal record check.
If your application is successful.
There may be some more pre-employment checks specific to the role, but a member of our HR Team will be in touch to talk you through what’s needed.
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