At PACFS, we work in partnership with Local Authorities to provide high-quality foster placements. While our primary focus is Parent and Child placements, we also offer fostering for children and young people in need of a stable and supportive environment.
Our goal is to ensure that all placements are safe, nurturing, and tailored to meet the individual needs of each child. We carefully match children with foster carers who can support their emotional, physical, and developmental well-being, with the child’s long-term welfare always being our priority.
The majority of our foster carers are trained and approved to provide placements for parents and their children. This specialist placement aims to support parents who need guidance in developing essential parenting skills, ensuring they can safely and responsibly care for their babies or toddlers. In addition to offering hands-on support, this placement provides evidence-based assessments of the parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs.
In line with the National Fostering Regulations 2011, both the placing Local Authority and PACFS must be satisfied that the placement arrangements are appropriate before proceeding. Foster carers supporting these placements must demonstrate the skills and ability to participate in parent and child assessments, ensuring the well-being of both the parent and child in their care.
Emergency placements
We provide foster placements at short notice, supported by a 24-hour emergency response service. These placements are typically temporary and should not exceed a few days, allowing time for the child or young person to be transitioned into a more suitable, long-term placement in a planned manner.
Bridging placements
These placements provide temporary care for children and young people while permanency plans are being determined. Foster carers in bridging placements work towards one of the following outcomes:
Respite care is designed to provide short-term relief for parents or foster carers who may need additional support. This can benefit birth families lacking a strong support network, as well as foster carers who require a short break to manage placement demands.
PACFS has foster carers trained to provide short-term care for children with disabilities, giving families much-needed breaks while ensuring continuity of care for the child.
We are committed to building a team of foster carers who have the skills and experience to care for children with disabilities and those requiring specialist medical care.
These placements serve as temporary arrangements while Local Authorities complete assessments, often following court recommendations. Short-term placements can range from a few days up to two years, depending on the circumstances.
When adoption is not an option, long-term foster placements provide a stable, permanent home where the foster carer supports the child through to adulthood and independence
At PACFS, we are dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for children, young people, and families through high-quality, well-matched foster placements.
