Can respite care support foster carers during planned holidays?

Planned respite can be used when foster carers need to take a holiday, but it must be arranged as part of the child’s care plan rather than treated as ordinary holiday childcare. The fostering service will assess whether the arrangement is suitable, identify an approved respite foster carer and coordinate the move so that the child’s safety, routines and emotional wellbeing remain central.

Planning should begin as soon as the proposed dates are known. The supervising social worker will usually discuss:

• the length and purpose of the holiday;
• the child’s age, development, communication needs and daily routines;
• medication, health requirements, education and transport arrangements;
• contact with parents, relatives or other important people;
• the child’s feelings about staying with another carer; and
• any information the respite carer needs to provide consistent care.

The child’s social worker and the fostering service must be satisfied that the plan is appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, the child’s parents, professionals involved in their care and other relevant decision-makers may also need to be consulted. The required permissions should be confirmed before travel is booked, particularly if the holiday could affect contact arrangements, appointments or the child’s legal or care-plan requirements.

A suitable respite carer is not selected solely because they have space. The matching process should consider the child’s needs, relationships, behaviour, communication style, cultural or religious background, and any known triggers. The carer’s household, experience, approval terms and ability to manage the planned arrangements are also relevant. Where possible, introductions and shorter visits can help the child become familiar with the respite household before the main stay.

Good preparation involves a written handover. This should include the child’s schedule, food preferences, bedtime routine, school or activity details, medical information, emergency contacts, delegated authority arrangements and guidance on managing behaviour. It should also explain what to do if the child becomes distressed, goes missing, discloses a concern or needs urgent medical attention. Foster carers should make sure the respite carer knows which decisions they can make and which matters must be referred to the fostering service or social worker.

Children should be given information in a way they can understand and an opportunity to express their views. A planned holiday should not be presented as the child being sent away or being responsible for the foster carer’s break. They may have mixed feelings, especially if they have experienced previous changes in care. Their views may influence the proposed dates, introductions, activities and practical arrangements, even where the final decision is made by the responsible adults.

During the stay, the respite carer takes responsibility for the child’s day-to-day care within the agreed plan. The child’s records and confidentiality must be handled appropriately, and information should only be shared with people who need it to safeguard and care for the child. Any significant incident, change in circumstances or safeguarding concern should be reported through the agreed procedure rather than left until the foster carers return.

Foster carers should also agree how communication will work while they are away. Some children benefit from a planned call or message, while others may find frequent contact unsettling. The approach should reflect the child’s age, wishes and care plan. The respite carer should have clear contact details for the fostering service and the child’s social worker, as well as instructions for emergencies.

On the foster carers’ return, the child should be given time to settle back into the household. A handover can cover what went well, any changes in behaviour or health, contact that took place and anything that needs follow-up. The fostering service may review the arrangement with the child, the respite carer and the foster family. This helps identify useful learning before any future planned respite is considered.

Respite is not appropriate for every child or every holiday plan. A long journey, unfamiliar setting, complex health needs, ongoing family contact or a child’s strong objection may require additional assessment or a different arrangement. Foster carers should discuss the proposal with their supervising social worker before making firm travel plans, so that the plan can be checked against the child’s needs and the fostering service’s procedures.