DIFFERENT types of fostering require different types of people with a range of experiences and backgrounds.

But whatever your situation, Cumbria Fostering is likely to have a scheme to match the type of help you can offer.

Short-term fostering – carers can look after children for anything from a few days to two years

Long-term fostering – children unable to return home may need a permanent, long-term placement with a family for the rest of their childhood

Shared Care – this scheme links carers with a family who have a child with a disability. Shared carers look after a child on a regular basis, usually for a weekend each month

Parent & Child fostering - where a young parent, usually a mother and baby, come to stay with you at a time when they need extra support

Teenage fostering (Adolescent Care Team) – where carers provide long-term, family-based placements to young people aged 10 to 18 years who are moving out of residential care or from a foster care placement outside of the county. It might be someone who already has experience of working with young people

Approved support care – carers provide temporary breaks to existing carers and families when they need it. There is most demand for this type of fostering at weekends and during school holidays

Anyone interested in finding out more can attend Cumbria Fostering’s upcoming online information event on June 15 from 7pm on Zoom. Full meeting details can be found at cumbriafostering.org.uk