Mother and Baby Fostering
Mother and baby, or parent and child fostering involves the placement of a parent, mother or father and child who is experiencing difficulties, with foster carers. This kind of fostering is often an alternative to a mother and baby residential unit.
A baby’s social worker may make the decision for the fostering placement, if the parent needs extra help but doesn’t have an extended family.
There is a growing need for more London foster carers who are interested in looking after young, most often teenage mothers and their babies.
Foster carers role
Foster carers help and encourage the parent to develop their parenting skills.
The foster carer has an important role observing and recording how the parent looks after the child.
Mother and baby fostering can be complex and challenging and the foster carer requires skills and qualities such as:
- assertiveness
- discretion
- confidence
- sensitivity
- 24-hour commitment
Mother and Baby Placements
Foster carers take part in assessments about the parent’s ability to care for their child and a big part of fostering is to encourage young mothers without taking over their parental responsibilities.
Mother and baby placements are usually for a period of between 12 to 24 weeks.
London Fostering Agencies offer a higher level financial support, fees and allowances for foster carers who provide mother and baby placements.
