As an emergency foster carer, you’ll be ready to respond at a moment’s notice, offering immediate safety and reassurance to children in crisis.
Role description
Emergency Foster Carers provide immediate care and protection for children and young people who need to be removed from their homes due to urgent and often distressing circumstances. These placements can happen at very short notice—sometimes outside of normal working hours—and may last from a single night to a few days.
Children may come into emergency care due to parental illness, hospitalization, domestic issues, or serious safety concerns. As an emergency carer, you’ll offer a calm, nurturing environment that helps children feel safe and supported during a time of crisis.
This role is ideal for individuals who are flexible, resilient, and ready to respond quickly. You’ll be a vital part of a child’s journey, offering stability when they need it most.
Responsibilities include
- Offer children a calm and secure space where they can feel protected and supported, especially during moments of fear or uncertainty.
- Provide empathy, reassurance, and understanding to help children cope with the emotional impact of sudden separation or crisis.
- Help children continue with familiar daily activities—such as meals, school, and bedtime—to bring comfort and stability during their stay.
- Where appropriate, support and facilitate contact with the child’s family and friends, helping them maintain important relationships.
- Liaise with social workers, health professionals, and other agencies to ensure the child’s needs are met and the placement remains appropriate and supportive.
Criteria
To become an emergency foster carer, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom suitable for a child or young person
- Be a full-time resident in the UK or have indefinite leave to remain
- Flexibility and availability at short notice
- Calm under pressure
- A spare bedroom
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
We believe that families come in all shapes and sizes. We welcome foster carers from all backgrounds and we’re proud to celebrate the strength and diversity of our fostering community.
You could foster if you are:
- A single person or part of a couple (including same-sex couples)
- A homeowner or renting
- Working full-time, part-time, or not currently employed
- From any cultural, ethnic, or religious background
You just need the time, energy, and space to care for a child or young person.
How we support you
By joining our team, you will benefit from:
- Competitive financial support
- An extensive training and development programme offering you the opportunity to develop your skills in supporting children and young people
- A dedicated social worker to support you and your family throughout your fostering journey
- A 24-hour support line, seven days a week
- Therapeutic support from our WAYPOINT team
- A network of support from experienced foster carers including support groups and buddying scheme
- Support for birth children and foster children from our WAYPOINT team
- Award-winning Mockingbird Family Model, with constellations to support our fostering families
- Regular activities and events for the whole family
- A variety of discounts and benefits from venues across the UK
If you have the patience, commitment and understanding required to care for children and young people, we’d love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emergency placements can happen within hours, often outside of regular hours.
Ideally yes, but we’ll work with you to understand your availability and build a rota if needed.
Children of all ages who need immediate safety due to family breakdown, neglect, or crisis.
