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• Fostering
• Types of foster care
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Fostering

Foster carers look after children whose own parents or family are unable to care for them. A foster carer becomes a temporary parent to a child and provides a safe, stable, disciplined home environment.

Single and married people are eligible to become foster parents. To become a foster parent, you need to apply to Northern Ireland Fostercare. They will interview you and make an assessment of your suitability as a foster parent.

After a child is placed with a foster parent, a social worker keeps in regular contact with the foster parent. This ensures that fostering is beneficial to the child. A foster parent receives an allowance to cover caring costs. Depending on a child’s circumstances, foster periods can last a few weeks, or for several months or years.