Different Types of Care
Sometimes, for different reasons, children and young people can’t live with their birth parents. When that happens, there are different types of care arrangements that support your rights and wellbeing, whether with family, foster carers, or living independently. This blog explains the most common types of care and what they mean for you.
Foster care
Foster care is when you live with a foster family who looks after you. You will live with foster carers who are specially trained to support children and young people through difficult times. This can be a short term arrangement or longer term depending on your situation.
There are many different types of foster care:
- Short-term foster care: This is temporary care, used when for example arrangements are being made with your birth family.
- Long-term foster care: If you are unable to return home, the foster family becomes your long-term support.
- Emergency foster care: If you need somewhere to stay at short notice.
- Respite foster care: Short breaks either for you or your carers, just for a few days or weeks, or on a longer term basis such as every weekend.
- Parent and child placements: For young people who are also parents, you and your child live with a foster carer who can help and support you.
Kinship care
Kinship care is when you’re looked after by someone you already know and trust, like grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, or even close family friends.
- Informal kinship care is arranged within your family, and the local authority might not be directly involved.
- Formal kinship foster care is when a family member or friend becomes an official foster carer through the local authority. This means they get support to care for you.
Being with someone familiar can make things feel more stable, especially if you’re going through big changes in your life.
Residential care
Some young people live in residential care, also known as children’s homes. This is a house where a small group of young people live together with support from staff. You’ll have your own room and share communal spaces like the kitchen and living room.
Children’s homes can be helpful if foster care isn’t the right fit, or if you need more specialist support. Staff are there to keep you safe and help with everything from school work to life skills.
You are still involved in decisions about your life and future while living in a children’s home, and you still have rights just like in any other care setting.
Adoption
Adoption means taking full legal and parental responsibility for a child. It is a life-long commitment supported by an adoption order, which is granted through a court and it is permanent.
It’s a big step and involves careful thought, with your views taken seriously. After adoption, you’re no longer “looked after” by the local authority, but there’s still support available if you need it.
Special guardianship
Special guardianship is a legal arrangement that gives someone, often a relative, parental responsibility for you until you turn 18. It’s somewhere between fostering and adoption.
You stay connected to your birth family, but your special guardian makes most of the important decisions about your care. This can provide stability without fully ending legal ties with your birth parents.
Social workers are still involved to make sure it’s the right plan for you, and there’s often support for both you and your guardian.
Supported lodgings and semi-independent living
If you’re 16 or older, you might start preparing to live more independently. Supported lodgings are when you live in someone’s home but have more freedom than in foster care. You still get support with things like cooking, budgeting, and learning to look after yourself.
Semi-independent living is similar but might be in a flat or shared house, with regular check-ins from a key worker or support staff. This kind of setup helps you build confidence before living completely on your own.
“When I’m Ready”
In Wales, there’s a scheme called “When I’m Ready“. It lets you stay with your foster carer after you turn 18, up to the age of 21, or 25 if you are in full time education or training. It gives you more time to prepare for adult life instead of having to move out when you turn 18.
This arrangement is designed to help make the transition into adulthood less stressful and more supportive.
Need Support?
Whatever your care situation, you have rights, and you deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported. If you ever feel unsure, confused, or just want to talk things through, Meic is here for you. We’re open everyday from 8am to midnight.
