Could short break fostering help your nest feel a bit less empty?

It's that time of year when many young people have set off for their next adventure at university. Others may have gone into employment or decided to live independently. If your child has flown the nest, you might now have extra space in your home and feel like you’ve got capacity to give another child new experiences and offer them a loving and supportive relationship. If that’s you, becoming a foster carer could be a great option.

There are lots of different types of fostering to help meet the individual needs of children and young people. This can range from offering a child a stable and loving family setting for several months or years, to providing short, planned breaks. If your child has recently moved out, you may want to consider this last type, short break fostering.

Sometimes also known as respite care, this is where children and young people have a planned short stay away from their birth families or foster carers. It gives children the chance to have new experiences and develop relationships beyond their own home environment. They also allow parents and carers to recharge their batteries and spend time with other children in the family. 

We help provide short break fostering placements in some parts of the UK. If you’re interested in finding out what children near you need, contact your local fostering team about the opportunities they have for you to help a child feel like they belong.

If you’re an ‘empty nester’ whose children have moved out, you may now have a bedroom going unused that could be a great space for another child or young person, either for short visits, or a longer-term home.

It might be that you’re considering fostering because your grown-up child has gone to university. As they may still come home during holidays, you’ll likely want to keep space for them, in which case short break fostering could be a great option.

While you don’t need to have raised children to become a foster carer, that experience can make you more confident with children and young people and you’ll know the feeling of supporting a child to thrive. But no matter how much time you’ve spent with children you’ll get comprehensive preparation, training and support that continues once you start fostering. You’ll also have a dedicated and qualified social worker, as well as access to our 24-hour advice and support line. Learn more about the training and support Barnardo's offer foster carers.

We know that foster carers work hard and devote their time, expertise and love to help children who may not have had the best start in life. We offer foster carers generous financial support, including a taxable income, as well as a weekly fostering allowance to help with the cost of caring for a child when they are staying with you. Find out more about the financial support available to foster carers.

Welcoming a child or young person into your life is an incredible thing to do, and a big decision to make. People can feel intimidated by the process of becoming a foster carer and worry that it will take a long time or be invasive. We want you to know that if you take the decision to foster we’re here to help you every step of the way. Learn more about the process of applying to be a foster carer.

If you want to talk to someone about different types of fostering and whether you could be a foster carer, we’re here to answer all your questions. Contact your local fostering team or fill in our fostering enquiry form if you’re ready to become a foster carer.