Types of fostering
What Is Long-Term Fostering?
Long-term fostering offers a child or young person a stable family home when they cannot return to live with their birth family and adoption is not the right plan for them. In many cases, the child remains with the same foster family into adulthood.
It gives relationships time to grow. Foster carers provide everyday care, celebrate progress, support important family connections and help a young person build a sense of belonging without asking them to leave their identity or history behind.
Long-term fosteringDefinition
What makes a placement long term?
Long-term fostering is a planned arrangement confirmed through the child's care planning and matching process. It is different from a short-term placement that simply continues longer than first expected. Professionals consider whether the match can meet the child's needs through childhood and towards independence.
The plan is reviewed over time, but the intention is stability. The local authority continues to hold legal responsibilities and the foster carer continues to work within the agreed care plan.
Everyday life
Building belonging over time
Belonging is created in ordinary moments: a place at the table, familiar routines, birthdays remembered, interests encouraged and an adult who returns after difficult days. Long-term carers help children become part of family life while respecting their existing relationships, culture, faith and life story.
The child's views matter. Some children may want to use family terms; others may not. Some will seek closeness quickly, while others need much more time. Carers should let the relationship develop without expecting gratitude or forcing a particular idea of family.
Family time
Supporting relationships with birth family
Long-term fostering does not usually end a child's connection with parents, siblings or relatives. Where safe and agreed, carers support family time, communication and important occasions. They can help the child manage mixed emotions and avoid speaking about family members in a dismissive or competitive way.
Arrangements may change as the child grows. Decisions remain part of the care plan and should reflect safety, the child's wishes and their long-term wellbeing.
Growing up
Education, identity and growing independence
Long-term carers can provide continuity through school changes, exams, health appointments, friendships and adolescence. They advocate for support, encourage strengths and help the child recover from setbacks without defining them by a difficult period.
Preparation for adulthood includes practical skills as well as emotional security: budgeting, cooking, travel, employment, education, relationships and knowing where to ask for help. Where eligible and agreed, Staying Put may allow a young person to continue living with a former foster carer after 18.
Matching
Matching a child and foster family
A long-term match should consider much more than an available bedroom.
Introductions should be planned at a pace that fits the child wherever circumstances allow.
Practical matters
Training, support and allowance
Long-term carers continue to receive supervision, learning and an allowance while the child is placed. Support needs may change through adolescence, family events, transitions or periods of stress, so carers should be able to ask for help before difficulties escalate.
Questions people ask
Frequently asked questions
Is long-term fostering the same as adoption?
No. In long-term fostering, the child remains looked after and the local authority continues to share or hold legal responsibilities according to the care order and plan. Adoption permanently changes legal parenthood.
Does long-term fostering always last until 18?
That is often the intention, but every arrangement is reviewed and circumstances can change. Some young people may stay beyond 18 through Staying Put where the criteria are met and an arrangement is agreed.
Can I choose the age of child I foster?
Your assessment and approval consider the ages and needs your household can support. Matching is a two-way decision based on the individual child, not a simple choice from a list.
Will a child still see their birth family?
Many children do, where this is safe and part of their plan. The frequency and form of family time vary. Foster carers usually play an important role in helping it happen positively.
Can a short-term placement become long term?
Yes, if the child's plan changes and a formal matching process finds that staying is right for them. The decision should not be based only on convenience or the length of time already spent in the home.
Next step
Give a child stability that can grow with them
Long-term fostering is a commitment to keep showing up through change, challenge and achievement. If you can offer a lasting family base, speak to our team about the next step.
Take the first step
Your fostering questions can start with one conversation
Tell us what you are thinking and ask what matters to you. A member of our Manchester team will explain the next step without pressure or obligation.