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Permanent Fostering
What is permanent fostering?
Permanent fostering is when we retain responsibility for the child or children's welfare and the foster carer is responsible for their day to day care throughout their childhood.
Why is permanent fostering required?
We aim to place children in permanent foster placements who have spent a period of time with temporary foster carers and need to be placed with a family on a permanent basis. These children will have experienced difficulties in their family which means they are unable to return home, although they may maintain some contact with the birth family.
They may be part of a sibling group of two or more.
Before coming into council care, the children are likely to have had difficult life experiences. This can affect their emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Adoption may not be suitable for these children, but they need a family to stay with during and beyond their childhood.
What will we ask from you?
You can be married, single or a one parent family and you don't need any special qualifications.
We assess everyone who applies to foster children and this includes:
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visits to your home;
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individual interviews;
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statutory checks including health, police and with our department; and
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references from people who know you including a family member.
What are the benefits to you?
You will receive training, support and advice to help you develop as a foster carer.
A fostering allowance is provided for foster carers to cover the day to day expenses of caring for a child. The allowance does not affect state benefits or income tax.
Temporary Fostering
What is temporary fostering?
We aim to place children in temporary foster placements to provide a family home for them while they cannot live with their own parents.
Why is temporary fostering required?
Temporary fostering means:
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caring for a child or children in your own home;
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working with us to return them home;
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helping those who cannot return home to move on to permanent families;
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working closely with teachers, social workers and other professionals who are involved with the child; and
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caring for children over periods ranging from a few days through to two years.
What will we ask from you?
You can be married, single or a one parent family and you don't need any special qualifications.
We assess everyone who applies to foster children and this includes:
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visits to your home;
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individual interviews;
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statutory checks including health, police and with our department; and
-
references from people who know you including a family member.
What are the benefits to you?
You will receive training, support and advice to help you develop as a foster carer.
A fostering allowance is provided for foster carers to cover the day to day expenses of caring for a child. The allowance does not affect state benefits or income tax.
Respite Care
What is respite care?
We provide short term (respite) care for children aged 0 to 16 throughout North Lanarkshire.
Why is respite care required?
Children and their parents may need respite for many reasons, including:
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a death in the family;
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a parent going into hospital;
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a crisis or difficulty in the family; or
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parents with little or no support simply needing a break.
What will we ask from you?
We assess everyone who applies to be a carer and this includes:
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visits to your home;
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individual interviews;
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statutory checks including health, police and with our department; and
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references from people who know you including a family member.
Our carers are assessed as to whether they can look after a child or children overnight or for a few days and we always consider a carer's availability before we place a child with them.
What are the benefits to you?
In return, we provide training and support to help out respite carers. We also provide any equipment that you may require such as a bed and bedding.
If you feel that you could provide quality care for a child or children and give them the opportunity to share in your family life for a short time, then please contact us. You can talk with a member of our team or we can arrange for you to speak with someone who already provides respite care for us and can explain the rewards of being involved.
For further information use the "Contact Us" box at the top right-hand side of your screen.
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