In this article we will explain what mainstream fostering is.
We are so proud of the children and young people of Hull, they are imaginative, inspirational, and wonderful in their own unique ways.
It’s our job as adults to make sure our children can remain living in the city they know and love, especially if they are not able to live with their own family.
The children and young people in our care deserve the most nurturing setting possible to enable them to thrive. So, when a child or young person cannot live with their family, it is our responsibility at Hull Fostering to find foster carers and Supported Lodgings providers who live in or within 30 miles of Hull who can provide a safe and supporting home for these children and young people to live.
Hull Fostering is the largest fostering service in the local area and are responsible for all children in Hull.
We offer six different types of fostering to suit your home, your family dynamics and life commitments.
These include mainstream fostering, respite care, support care, supported lodgings, special needs and disability fostering and P.A.S.T.
In this article we will explain what mainstream fostering is.
Mainstream Fostering
Some children and young people may need to stay with you for a little while until they can return to their parents or are adopted. Other children need a stable long-term home where you will support them into adulthood. This is called mainstream fostering. You can specify where your skills are best matched, some people prefer to care for babies, toddlers, teenagers or sibling groups.
Looking after a child as a mainstream carer you will be their guardian and Hull Fostering will give you delegated parental responsibly to make certain decisions, like taking them for a haircut, G.P appointment or taking them abroad on holiday.
The child will be a part of your family and their voice needs to be heard in all professional meetings.
As their advocate you will be invited to all professional meetings, you will have a say in the child’s care plan and given autonomy in making certain day to day decisions.
Like many parents, a lot of our carers continue to work and undertake hobbies whilst fostering. We encourage you to have a healthy work-life balance and offer a babysitting allowance, day care, respite services and heavily reduced leisure passes if needed.
Hull Fostering are a huge community and come together many times a month to meet up, have fun and support one another. You will never be alone in mainstream fostering, and you will be buddied up with another foster carer in your local area as a mentor for the first 12 months of your fostering journey.
You will also be invited to join one of our Mockingbird constellations and support groups.
If you would like to talk to one of our friendly team about the process of becoming a mainstream foster carer, you have many options.
You can fill in this enquiry form, call us on 01482 612 800, email fostering@hullcc.gov.uk or send us a message on Facebook.
Please click here to learn more about Fostering Respite Care in our next blog article.
