Different types of fostering

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We have a range of foster care schemes to best suit our looked after children’s needs, meaning you can choose a scheme to best suit you.

Below is a brief outline of the different schemes we have, but if you’d like to talk any of them through with the family placement team, please give us a call on 0161 799 1268. In addition, there is further information available on 3D and Focus fostering.

Short term care

You will be caring for children and young people whose families are experiencing difficulties. Some children may have been abused or neglected and some children may have challenging behaviour. They will all need your understanding and support. These children may need to stay with you for just a few days, up to many months in some cases.

You will contribute towards a care plan for the children, which will hopefully enable them to return home or move on to live with a permanent family.

You will need to work closely with the children's families and with the professionals involved.

Permanent and long term care

Sometimes children and young people cannot live with their family, but adoption isn't appropriate. As a long term foster carer, you will look after the child/young person throughout their childhood and support them into adulthood, whilst encouraging them to keep in touch with their birth family if appropriate.

Emergency care

Children and young people can need looking after at any time night or day. If you decide to be on our emergency carers list, we may contact you at times like these, to offer support and stability at very short notice.

3D fostering

This scheme aims to provide short term foster placements to young people with complex needs between the ages of 10 and 16. The 3D foster carers will receive a generous fee of £21,588 plus 24/7 support. Please go to the separate page on 3D fostering to learn more about the scheme.

Focus fostering

The scheme aims to provide short and long term foster placements for children between the ages of five and 16. The children will have some additional support needs which will require a carer to be readily available for them. This scheme offers the opportunity for you to foster as a career. Please go to the page on Focus fostering to learn more about the scheme.

Independent visitor

If fostering is not for you but you would like to develop a long term, befriending relationship with a young person, you could consider becoming an Independent Visitor (IV) for Salford Children’s Rights Service.

We are looking for volunteers to build up a trusting, consistent relationship with a child or young person in care. We offer training, supervision and ongoing support to all our volunteers. Further information is available from Salford Children's Rights Service.