Gemma and her husband Richard talked about becoming foster carers for years before finally making a commitment. With busy jobs and a young son, the couple were worried that they did not have time to be able to welcome another child into their family.

“I have friends and colleagues who support children in care and their families, so I knew that local councils were always looking to recruit new foster carers,” Gemma says. “I also felt that our family had a lot to offer, but initially it was difficult to see how we could foster without making big changes.”

This all changed when  they enquired about respite foster care. Generally, respite foster carers provide support to families who foster full-time but need some time off. This might be for family or work commitments, medical treatment or simply a break to recharge the batteries. The idea is to replicate the kind of support that regular families get from grandparents or aunts and uncles, for example. “We talked this through at home and agreed this was something we should put ourselves forward for,” Gemma says.

Gemma and Richard applied to their local authority in 2020, and went through the application process remotely during the pandemic. 

Respite carers, or ‘part-time’ carers, go through the same process and training as full-time carers, including the Skills to Foster course. One advantage of this is that part-time carers are well-placed to take on additional fostering commitments at a later stage. “We learned a lot during the course,” says Gemma. “It really helped us to be ready to care for children in our home.”

“They have become part of our family.”

Gemma and Richard look after two siblings one weekend a fortnight, which helps the children’s regular carers to have time to relax and regroup for the days ahead. The children have their own bedroom at their house, and they keep some of their own clothes and toys there, so it really does feel like a home from home.

“We love having them here,” says Gemma. “They have become part of our family.” The relationship with the children’s carers has also grown and they step up to provide additional support when it is needed. “Having spent time with many full-time foster carers, the opportunity to have someone that can provide a bit a free time is very welcomed,” says Gemma.

“We do what we can to help. We all want the best for the children and for them to grow up knowing they are loved and cared for.”

Planned respite makes it much easier for Gemma and Richard to support young people around their work. “Knowing when the children will be staying makes a big difference,” Gemma says. “We were lucky as we have very supportive employers that are flexible if time is needed to support the children.”

“Respite can also provide emergency support for children; it was just that we needed it to be planned because of our life and schedule. We can make sure we have the time we need to spend time together and do all the lovely things they enjoy.”

Gemma says that she would encourage people in a similar situation to consider part-time/respite foster care. “I know there are many people who would like to be foster carers but have other commitments which make it difficult. Helping at the weekends, even if it is once or twice a month, can make a real difference.

 “Respite carers are a really important part of foster carers’ support network. Having strong, consistent support can provide the stability a child needs to be able to remain with their foster carers or to move to a different home.”

As well as following the same application process as full-time carers, part-time foster carers receive full support from their fostering provider, including a designated social worker and access to regular training. There will also be opportunities to meet other foster carers.

For some, part-time/respite foster care can be a gateway to becoming a full-time foster carer, as and when other commitments change. It’s a good way to gain experience and form a support network which will help when other children are in your care. But for Gemma and Richard, the immediate future is about continuing to provide a loving home to the children who come to stay once a fortnight.

“We are the one constant in their lives and that is so important. It was also important for us to show our son that life is not always as easy for others - fostering has made him more empathetic to others.”