What kind of fostering would you like to do?

Whether you're looking to care for a child for just a few days or to offer a long-term, life-changing home, Lincolnshire Fostering provides flexible options to suit your lifestyle, experience, and availability. You can choose the type of fostering that works best for you—or combine several approaches depending on your circumstances.

Task-Centred and Short-Term Fostering

Short-Term Fostering (2 days to 2 years)

Short-term fostering provides children with a stable home while longer-term plans are developed. This might involve caring for a child while their family works through challenges or during legal proceedings that determine whether they return home, move into long-term fostering, or are adopted. Children and young people placed in short-term care can be any age from birth to 18.

Emergency Fostering

Emergency fostering involves stepping in at very short notice to care for children who need immediate protection and support. These placements are usually unplanned and can happen at any time of day or night. To offer emergency care, one carer must be based at home, and carers should not have their own children under 16 living at home. Previous experience of working with children or young people is essential, as this type of care can be intense but highly rewarding.

Respite Fostering (Short Breaks)

Respite carers provide essential support to other foster families or birth families by caring for a child for a short period. This might be a regular weekend arrangement or a one-off break while the main carer recovers from illness or takes a planned holiday. It offers children consistency and carers the chance to rest and recharge.

Task-Centred Fostering

Task-centred fostering focuses on a specific goal, such as supporting a child while their family situation stabilises or while decisions about their long-term future are made. Placements can range from two days to two years and involve children and young people across the full age range.

Long-Term Fostering (Permanence)

When a return to the birth family isn’t possible, some children need the security and stability of a permanent foster home. Long-term fostering offers a consistent, nurturing environment where children can build relationships and flourish—often until they reach adulthood and beyond.

These children may have experienced multiple moves or trauma, so long-term fostering requires compassion, emotional resilience, and a high level of commitment. In addition to the standard "Prepare to Foster" training, long-term carers attend a dedicated one-day course and receive 14 nights of respite care each year (with more available if required as part of the care plan).

Carers can be approved to look after up to three children, depending on the space in your home and your ability to meet each child’s individual needs.

Parent and Child Fostering

Parent and child fostering is a specialist role where you provide a supportive home for a parent (usually a mother, father, or sometimes both) and their young child. The aim is to help the parent develop their confidence and parenting skills while ensuring the child’s needs are met.

You’ll offer guidance, emotional support and practical advice, empowering the parent to make safe, positive decisions for their child’s future. This type of fostering can be a powerful way to support two lives at a critical moment in their journey.

Ages and Matching

Foster children can be any age, from newborns to 18-year-olds. During the application process, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your preferences—including age range, number of children, and specific needs—and we’ll always respect this when matching you with a child or young person.