What support do temporary emergency foster carers receive?
Temporary emergency foster carers receive preparation and training, financial support, and ongoing guidance throughout their fostering journey. Local teams provide practical assistance as carers respond to the child’s immediate needs and manage the placement.
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Temporary emergency foster carers receive structured support from the fostering service before, during and after a placement. This support helps them understand the child’s immediate needs, follow agreed safeguarding arrangements, make informed decisions and manage the practical demands of a placement that may begin with limited information.
A named supervising social worker: A supervising social worker provides professional oversight and acts as a main point of contact for the carer. They help the carer understand the placement plan, clarify responsibilities and review how the arrangement is progressing. They can also help the carer prepare for discussions with the child’s social worker and other professionals.
Information about the child: Emergency placements can be arranged quickly, so the information available at the start may be limited. The fostering team helps the carer make sense of the information provided, including known health needs, routines, education, family relationships, behaviours, risks and immediate arrangements. As further information becomes available, this can be shared and used to update the care plan.
Practical advice during the placement: Carers can receive guidance on everyday matters such as routines, contact with the child’s family, school or nursery arrangements, transport, appointments, medication and personal belongings. Advice should follow the child’s care plan and the decisions made by the responsible local authority. A carer should not make significant changes to contact, health care or other arrangements without checking what has been agreed.
Safeguarding and risk management: Support includes helping carers recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns. This may involve explaining supervision arrangements, safe use of the internet and devices, household boundaries, missing-from-care procedures, allegations, disclosures or changes in behaviour. Carers are expected to report concerns promptly and record relevant facts accurately rather than investigating the matter themselves.
Support with recording: Temporary emergency carers usually need to keep clear records about significant events, injuries, medication, contact, appointments, incidents, the child’s presentation and important conversations. The fostering team can explain what must be recorded, how information should be stored and who needs to receive it. Good records help professionals review the placement and make safe decisions about the child’s next steps.
Help with the impact on the household: The fostering service can help carers think through how an emergency placement affects their own children, partner and wider household. This includes discussing privacy, household rules, sleeping arrangements, belongings, pets, visitors and how to respond if the child’s behaviour is unsettled. Existing children should have a way to raise concerns and receive age-appropriate support.
Emotional and professional support: A child arriving in an emergency may be frightened, angry, withdrawn or unsure how to respond to a new home. Carers can be guided on trauma-informed responses, de-escalation, reassurance and maintaining predictable routines. Support should also help carers reflect on difficult incidents and recognise when they need additional professional advice.
Reviews and changes to the plan: Emergency placements are reviewed as professionals learn more about the child’s circumstances. The fostering team helps the carer contribute observations and relevant records to these reviews. The plan may change as risks are assessed, family contact is arranged, education is considered or a longer-term placement is identified.
Support when the placement moves on: When the child leaves, carers may need help completing records, returning belongings, sharing information with the next carers or professionals, and reflecting on what happened. The fostering service can also explain any follow-up actions and help the carer prepare for a future placement.
The exact support provided depends on the child’s needs, the decisions of the placing authority and the carer’s circumstances. Before accepting an emergency placement, carers should ask who their named contacts are, how concerns should be reported, what information is available, what records are required and what practical arrangements have been agreed.
Financial support should be explained before an emergency placement begins. Carers should ask what allowance or other financial help applies to the child’s needs, which everyday costs it is intended to cover, and whether any additional expenses need prior agreement. Emergency arrangements can involve travel, equipment, clothing, activities or appointments that were not anticipated when the placement was accepted.
Keep any relevant receipts and notes, and check the process for reporting extra costs to the fostering service. Clear information about payments and expenses helps carers plan responsibly without making assumptions about what will be reimbursed.
Ask about support for temporary emergency foster carers
If you are considering temporary emergency fostering, contact our fostering team to discuss the support available and whether this type of placement could suit your household.