Parent and Child Placements – Supporting Independence

There are many different types of fostering placements, some of which you may have heard of before, but did you know that a foster placement can also be for one or both parents together with their baby? These are called parent and child placements, whereby the parents are assessed and the ultimate aim is for them to be supported towards independence with their baby in their own home. The parents are very often young people and sometimes care leavers themselves.

We recently received a wonderful email addressed from a young person’s social worker to foster carers, thanking them for their support in helping a young parent through to independence with her baby which we have been given permission to share.

Hi J and F (Foster Carers)

Thanks and well done for the invaluable support you have offered B (parent) and G (baby).  It would have been very difficult for B without the support you have provided during her stay with you and with the move into her flat.

There has been a lot of progress made with B’s parenting capacity and being able to meet G’s needs whilst in your care. Your role as foster carers would have played a significant part in the changes that have been made.

I would also say well done to B for making the changes as well and it is hoped that the advice, support and guidance B has received whilst she and G were in foster care would serve as a good foundation for B to work with and help build on her independent skills and caring for G safely.

I visited yesterday and they were both doing well. B described all the work you all had done to bring the flat to its present habitable state.

Well done to all! Do you think you could open your heart and home to empowering a parent towards independence with their baby? This isn’t normally what springs to mind when people think about becoming a foster carer, but the rewards can be incredible. Here at Excel Fostering, we pride ourselves on the training and support we provide at every step of the way to our foster carers because of our vast experience in all types of fostering placements. If you’ve been inspired to find out more about becoming a foster carer, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.