Short break fostering

Interested in Short break fostering? Fill in the enquiry form and we’ll get in touch or call 01383 602235 to speak to a member of the team.
Enquiry form

As a Short break foster carer you could have a child to stay for anything from a few hours each week to a couple of weekends each month and if you are in employment you can continue to work.

Short break foster carers are available on a part-time basis to care for children and young people. This could be to provide care when:

  • their main foster carer is having a break
  • a child needs a regular short break to sustain their current placement
  • or to help a child to continue to live with their birth parents or other members of their family.

Your responsibilities

  • To provide a warm, nurturing and safe family environment for a child.
  • To provide short term placements for children for a day, weekend or for up to twenty-eight days.
  • You will work as part of a team and alongside the child’s main carers or parents to support the child.

Who can be a Short break carer?

You don’t need formal qualifications, but you’ll need:

  • patience
  • understanding
  • commitment
  • and some experience of children and young people would be useful.
  • Being able to provide a settled home environment
  • Supportive and caring
  • Making a child feel part of the family
  • Understanding
  • Fun and active
  • Loving
  • Fair
  • Ability to teach life skills
  • Ability to listen
  • Encourage friendships

Fife Council has a duty to make sure that carers are assessed and approved. As part of the process you will be asked to share information about yourself and other people you live with and undertake health and police checks.

The process of application to become a Short break carer should take approximately four months and will involve regular visits to your home. A report will then be completed and shared with you.

The final step is to be referred to the Fostering Panel where you will be approved and then you will begin to have children place with you.