Page contents
- What is Parent and Child fostering?
- What do you need to become a Parent and Child carer?
- Your role as a Parent and Child carer
- Support and training for Parent and Child carers
- Financial allowances for Parent and Child carers
- Get involved during Awareness Week
- Thinking about Parent and Child fostering and want to learn more?
What is Parent and Child fostering?
Parent and Child (P&C) fostering provides a safe and supportive environment for parents, often young or facing challenges, who are at risk of having their children removed from their care.
These placements allow for thorough assessments while keeping families together. Foster carers help parents learn essential skills, build confidence, and understand their responsibilities, all while ensuring the child’s safety and well-being.
What do you need to become a Parent and Child carer?
To become a P&C foster carer, you must:
- Have a spare bedroom and space to accommodate both a parent and their child.
- Be available full-time to provide consistent support.
- Possess knowledge of parenting and child development.
- Be patient, empathetic, and able to guide and support families.
- Be capable of working with professionals and safeguarding all children in your home.
- Experience in childcare, education, healthcare, or social work is helpful but not essential.
Your role as a Parent and Child carer
As a P&C carer, you will:
- Host a parent and child in your home for up to 20 weeks or more.
- Provide daily guidance and support to help the parent develop parenting skills.
- Monitor and assess the parent’s ability to care for their child.
- Keep detailed records and report concerns to social workers.
- Support the parent’s journey toward independence and advocate for their needs.
- Work collaboratively with professionals and attend ongoing training.
Support and training for Parent and Child carers
ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ offers extensive support and training, including:
- Specialist courses on infant observation, safeguarding, trauma, and parenting.
- Access to a supervising social worker and peer support groups.
- Clinical supervision and a dedicated resource hub called Fostering Hope.
You will never be alone in your fostering journey; support is available every step of the way. Carers can access a wide range of resources, including:
- Government guidance on fostering
- The Fostering Hope online hub
- Podcasts and videos sharing real-life fostering experiences and advice
Financial allowances for Parent and Child carers
P&C foster carers receive two separate weekly allowances, one for the parent and one for the child, plus a professional fee. The total weekly payment is approximately £1,102.57. This allowance covers living costs, activities, and household expenses. Additional funds may be used for family outings, setting up a new home, or contributing to a child’s savings.
Get involved during Awareness Week
Parent and Child Fostering Awareness Week takes place in the last week of January and is a great time to learn more about fostering and show your support. Our next Awareness Week runs from Sunday 25 to Saturday 31 January 2026, to coincide with Parent Mental Health Day on Friday 30 January. This is a time to highlight the importance of supporting parents’ emotional wellbeing — especially those navigating challenges while raising a child.
Whether you’re just curious or ready to take the next step, there are lots of ways to get involved. , talk to your friends and family about fostering, or come along to one of our events to ask questions and hear real-life stories.
We'd love to know what you want to see or learn more about—reach out and tell us!
Thinking about Parent and Child Fostering and want to learn more?
Take our quick Could You Foster? quiz or order a free brochure to learn more about how fostering could fit into your life.