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A Parent and Child foster placement (also referred to as P&C) is a type of foster placement that gives parents the opportunity to demonstrate or learn how to look after their baby over an initial 12-week period, with the help and support of a foster carer.
Your role is to support the parent (or parents) to look after their own baby. Whilst you will be expected to supervise and offer the parent(s) advice and encouragement where needed, you are not there to care for the baby.
You will be asked to record your observations in order for the local authority social worker to get a clear and fair picture of how the parent(s) cares for the baby and any areas, if any, they need further assistance with.
As well as having an allocated, experienced Supervising Social Worker, a specialist Placement Support Worker will provide additional assistance to work with the parent(s). Your recorded observations will also be shared with other professionals; such as local authority social workers, health visitors, and children’s guardians.
P&C placements can be challenging, but incredibly rewarding.
Some of the parents you might help will have come from very different backgrounds to your own. They may not have a positive experience of family life, or parenting, and so find it a challenge to accept that living within a stable household, with some basic rules and boundaries, will be beneficial to them in caring for their baby.
Your role as a P&C carer can be to help break this cycle, improving the lives of both parent and baby, effectively breaking a cycle of neglect and negativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the questions below to view the answers.
Q - Do you need any particular qualifications to be a parent & child (P&C) carer?
Q - Does this only cater for mothers and babies?
Q - Will we be expected to care for the baby e.g. feed, change and bath them?
Q - How long do P&C placements last?
Q - What other important skills and qualities do you need?
Q - Do I have to keep a daily record of what happens in the placement?
Q - Will I have any extra help with a P&C placement?
Meet Sandra and Clive
We spoke to Sandra and Clive about their experiences with Parent and Child fostering. They have been fostering since 1999 and have a wealth of experience when it comes to P&C fostering. Watch their interview to find out what P&C is like firsthand and how it can benefit a young parent.
Check out our Youtube channel for more videos from genuine Foster Carers and care leavers. Or, go back to see if their is another type of fostering suited to you.
If you want any further information, or think you could help a family to stay together, speak to our friendly team on 029 2081 1173 or enquire today.