Every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive home. But for many reasons, this isn’t always possible within their birth family – and that’s where foster care makes an incredible difference.

Fostering offers a child safety, stability, care and love at a time when they need it most. There are several types of foster care, ranging from a few days to several years, meaning there’s a form of fostering that can fit your family and your lifestyle while still transforming a young person’s life.

Short‑term fostering

Short‑term fostering gives a child a temporary home while longer‑term plans are being made. This support may last only a few days or weeks, but it can be a deeply unsettling time for a child who cannot stay with their birth family. By offering them stability, warmth and reassurance – even just for a short period – you can make a powerful and lasting difference.

Respite fostering

Some families need a short break due to caring responsibilities, health needs, or challenging circumstances. Respite fostering offers children a safe and fun space for an overnight stay, a weekend, or during school holidays. This type of fostering not only gives families time to rest and recharge, but also gives the child the chance to enjoy new experiences they might not otherwise have access to.

Emergency Fostering

Emergency foster carers provide immediate care for a child who needs a safe place to stay at short notice, often due to a family crisis. Every situation is unique, but the priority is always the child’s safety and wellbeing. Emergency fostering offers security, compassion and calm at a time of uncertainty, giving us the chance to plan the next steps for that child’s future.

Sibling fostering

Sometimes siblings need foster care too. Wherever possible, Foster with CANW aims to keep brothers and sisters together to protect their bond and reduce the trauma of being separated. Sibling foster carers play a vital role in helping children stay connected to the people who matter most to them.

Parent and child fostering

This type of fostering supports not only a child, but a parent as well. Often the child is very young and still dependent on their mother or father, but cannot remain in their previous situation. Parent and child fostering provides a safe, nurturing environment for both, offering guidance and support to help the parent develop the skills they need to care for their child confidently.

Long‑term fostering

The reasons a child may need long‑term foster care vary greatly. Some children cannot return to their birth family for a considerable period of time, while others – often older children or teenagers – may need consistent support during difficult circumstances, such as involvement with the police or court processes.

At CANW, our skilled team carefully matches children with foster families. We work closely with carers, sharing all available information about the child and ensuring every decision is considered with care and compassion.

You will never be alone on this journey. We provide ongoing training, 24/7 support, and a dedicated team to walk alongside you as you help a child grow into the very best version of themselves.

Many of our foster carers build lifelong connections with the children they have supported, celebrating milestones and sharing love long after the official fostering placement ends.

Find out more about fostering and growing your family circle.