What support do respite foster carers receive?

Respite foster carers receive support at each stage of a short-term placement, including preparation before a child arrives, practical advice while the placement is taking place, and a review afterwards. The purpose is to help carers understand the child’s needs, follow the agreed care plan and manage any concerns appropriately.

Before a placement , support should help you decide whether respite fostering fits your household and what type of arrangement you can manage. This may include guidance about the assessment and approval process, the age range and needs you are being considered for, and how respite placements differ from longer-term fostering. You should also have the opportunity to discuss your household’s circumstances, existing commitments, pets, space and any factors that could affect a child’s care.

Before agreeing to a placement, you should be given relevant information about the child. This can include their routines, communication style, health needs, education, behaviour, important relationships, known triggers and the reason respite care is being arranged. You should know who holds parental responsibility, which decisions you can make, what contact arrangements apply and who to speak to if the information is incomplete or circumstances change.

During the placement , support focuses on applying the agreed plan in everyday situations. Local staff and regional teams can help you think through questions about routines, behaviour, personal care, communication, contact, transport and activities. They can also help you distinguish between an issue that can be managed through the care plan and one that needs to be reported or escalated.

Safeguarding support is particularly important. Respite carers should understand how to respond if a child discloses something worrying, is missing, becomes unwell or has an accident. They should know how to record what happened, who must be informed and what information should be kept factual. If an allegation or complaint arises, the carer should receive clear guidance about the process and the steps expected of everyone involved.

Support after a placement allows you to discuss how the arrangement went, record relevant observations and identify anything that should be considered before a future placement. A debrief can cover the child’s presentation, changes in behaviour or health, incidents, contact with family members, medication, belongings and any follow-up needed. It also gives you the chance to raise concerns about the effect of the placement on your household.

Financial guidance is another part of the support available to respite carers. You should receive an explanation of how payments and allowances work for the type of placement offered, what the payment is intended to cover and which costs may need to be agreed separately. Because allowances, tax treatment and arrangements can change, confirm the current position with the fostering organisation and keep records of relevant expenses rather than relying on general information.

Support may also include:

• help understanding the child’s delegated authority and the decisions you can make;
• guidance on maintaining appropriate records and sharing information securely;
• advice about working with the child’s social worker, school, health professionals and birth family;
• signposting to additional services where a child has particular health, developmental or emotional needs;
• access to supervision, reviews or further learning linked to your role; and
• practical help when a planned arrangement changes or a child’s needs become different from those described before the placement.

The level and form of support can depend on the child’s plan, the length and frequency of respite stays and the terms of your approval. Before accepting a placement, ask what information will be provided, who your named contact is, how concerns should be reported, what records are required and how financial arrangements will be explained. You should feel able to ask questions before agreeing to care for a child, rather than trying to resolve important uncertainties after the placement has started.