Babies, children and young people need emergency foster care for a range of reasons. Their home environment might be unsafe, or their parents have health or addiction problems, or are temporarily unable to cope.

Children can also need emergency foster care due to unexpected bereavement. The nature of this urgency means that emergency foster carers must be flexible, prepared, calm and patient.

Emergency foster care ensures they are in a safe home environment while care proceedings take place or an alternative long-term home is arranged. During this time – which may take hours, days or even months – they might experience a range of emotions and reactions to their situation.

You’ll need to make them feel welcomed into a safe and secure environment. We pre-approve foster carers, both couples and individuals, for emergency foster care. Emergency foster care is sometimes suitable for people who work full time.