What is emergency fostering?

Emergency foster care is required when a child needs somewhere safe to live at short notice. This is usually unplanned and can happen at any time of the day or night. Longer-term plans must then be considered.

Who is it for?

Emergency foster care is for children and young people of all ages, and for children on their own or for groups of siblings.  

Why is it needed?

There are a lot of situations that can lead to a child or young person needing emergency foster care. For example, if something happens to a child’s parents, leaving no one to care for them, or if there is a safeguarding issue that poses a risk to a child.

Why do it?

Finding a home for a child at short notice is one of the biggest challenges faced by social workers. Emergency foster carers will need to be prepared to take a child into their home at any time of the night or day for a few days.