There are many types of fostering, and no matter the kind you choose, you’ll make a profound difference to vulnerable children and young people in desperate need of a safe home. When they are unable to return to their birth families, long-term foster homes can provide the stability they need to flourish.
Benefits of long-term fostering
If you’re thinking about fostering and are undecided about which type of fostering you’d like to do, here are some benefits of long-term placements for foster children and for you.
1. Breaking down walls
Many children and young people in care have experienced neglect or abuse, which can severely impact their trust in others, especially adults. It takes time and patience to help children feel safe and comfortable enough to lower the walls they’ve built around themselves and begin sharing their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
It can take years for them to realise that you’re on their side and you’re not going to hurt them because their past experiences have left them with trauma. So, one of the benefits of long-term foster care is that it provides children and young people with the time, space and security they need to build a trusting relationship with you.
2. Developing a true sense of belonging
Everyone wants to feel like they belong, and for children in care, it can be difficult to develop a sense of belonging when, through no fault of their own, they’ve had to leave behind everything they’ve ever known.
Our home, community, friendships and family all play a part in forming our sense of belonging and identity and can impact everything, from our future relationships to our career goals. Knowing who we are helps us understand our values, beliefs, likes and dislikes, helping us move in the right direction and have hope for the future.
Long-term fostering gives children a chance to make lasting connections with you, your family, friends and the local community. Being settled supports children’s sense of belonging and helps them feel safe because they know someone will always fight their corner. It gives them the time and space to explore who they are and plan for a brighter future.
3. Chances to progress at school
When children move into care or to another home, switching schools can sometimes be part of this process, and some young people may have never been encouraged to attend school at all. Schools can also be triggering for children and young people living with trauma, making it difficult for them to thrive in a school environment.
The combination of these factors means they can often be behind their peers academically, but long-term foster homes provide an opportunity for them to progress in their education. Feeling settled, stable and like they belong can go a long way in helping children build their confidence and self-belief. It can also allow them the time and space to work through their trauma so they can manage their triggers and feel safe at school.
4. Second chance at a happy childhood
Whether a child has moved into care due to abuse, neglect, the death of a parent or something else entirely, their experiences mean they’ve often missed out on the happy childhood they deserve. In some cases, they may have taken on a parenting role and had to learn to be self-sufficient to survive in their environment.
When children know they aren’t going to move homes again and will always have their needs met, it can help them let their guard down and be children again. Receiving consistent nurturing, care and attention from long-term foster carers who love them like their own children can reassure them and allow them to be themselves.
5. Guiding children through life’s changing seasons
Most children in care are 10 – 17 years old, so when you foster long-term, you’ll be fostering teenagers who will rely on you to prepare them for independent living.
You’ll support them through life’s changing seasons, which can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll be their guide, steering them in the right direction and helping them overcome any obstacles and barriers they may face.
When you foster in an emergency or short-term, you don’t often have time to see the impact you’ve made. With long-term fostering, however, you’ll watch their growth and development unfold and notice the difference you’re making. Children who live in long-term foster homes become part of the family, so you’ll likely continue to be a significant part of their lives when they reach adulthood.
Support for long-term foster carers
When you foster long-term with FCA Scotland, you’ll have the support and guidance of our incredible team. From trauma-informed training to carer buddies who will mentor you as you settle into your role, our Team Parenting model means you’ll have everything you need to thrive.
Our joint therapy sessions will provide a safe space for you and your foster children to work through challenges, and our events will help your whole family build relationships with our fostering community. We value your dedication to guiding children through the ups and downs of life, so you’ll also receive generous fostering payments alongside additional rewards.
If you’re ready to join us on our mission to provide children and young people with long-term foster homes where they feel safe, secure and loved, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can help children have the childhood they deserve and the future they’ve always dreamed of.
