Across the UK, there is a growing and urgent need for parent and child foster carers. Each month, local authorities receive hundreds of referrals — but there simply aren’t enough foster homes available to meet demand. At Unity Foster Care, we’re raising awareness of this specialist type of fostering, how it works, and why it’s so important.
What is parent and child fostering?
Parent and child fostering is a specialist arrangement where a foster carer supports a parent (often a mother) and their baby or young child. The aim is to provide a safe, stable environment where the parent can be supported, assessed, and helped to develop the skills needed to care for their child independently.
These arrangements vary widely. Some placements are for teenage parents, while others involve older mothers, fathers, or even both parents. Sometimes, the family may already have spent time in a residential unit and are now being supported in the community. A placement might include just one baby, or a parent with two or more young children.
Why are these referrals made?
There are many reasons a parent might need this type of support. Common situations include:
- A parent with no family support or positive role models
- Experiences of domestic abuse or relationship breakdown
- Difficulties with substance misuse or mental health
- Learning disabilities or additional needs
- A history of poor parenting or neglect in their own upbringing
- Temporary housing issues impacting their ability to care for their child
Referrals often come when there are safeguarding concerns, but also when there’s a chance for early help to prevent problems from escalating.
What does a parent and child foster carer do?
As a foster carer in this type of placement, you’re not just caring for a child — you’re guiding and supporting the parent. Your role includes:
- Creating a calm, safe space for the parent and child
- Supporting the parent to develop practical parenting skills
- Encouraging confidence and emotional connection
- Sharing observations with the social work team
- Helping break cycles of neglect or instability
Your role is both supportive and observational. You’ll work closely with professionals to assess progress while offering care without judgement.
Why parent and child fostering matters
This type of fostering can make a real difference by:
- Giving vulnerable parents the chance to stay together with their child
- Preventing children from entering long-term care unnecessarily
- Helping break cycles of poor parenting and social services involvement
- Supporting babies and young children to experience early nurturing
Parent and child placements are one of the most powerful ways to support whole families — and stop future difficulties before they start.
Could you offer a safe space?
If you have a spare room, a calm home environment and the patience to guide others, you could help a parent learn the skills they need to raise their child safely.
Unity Foster Care offers full training and ongoing support to help you feel confident in this role. Parent and child fostering is challenging but deeply rewarding — and the difference you make can be life changing for two generations.
Talk to Unity Foster Care
If you’d like to find out more, ask a few questions or simply chat to someone about what fostering involves, we’re here to help.
Contact us today and take the first step. You might be the person a child needs.