Helping families stay together in Leeds: Support a parent and their child by fostering
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Could you support a parent and their child to help keep them together in the future? Here, the team at Unity Foster Care explain what they do here in Leeds, and how you can be part of it.
Parent and child fostering is one of the most important roles we support at Unity Foster Care, and it is one that more families across Leeds are needed for right now.
This type of fostering allows a parent and their baby or young child to stay together in a foster carer’s home, at a time when extra support is needed. Rather than separating families, parent and child fostering focuses on helping parents learn, grow in confidence and care safely for their child in a calm, home environment.
Many of the parents we support have faced difficult experiences. Some are young parents. Others may be dealing with poor mental health, domestic abuse, learning disabilities, or a lack of family support. What they often need is not judgement, but time, guidance and a safe space to learn.
Day to day, parent and child fostering looks much like family life. Carers share their home and routines, supporting parents with feeding, bathing, bedtime routines and attending appointments. They offer gentle guidance, model positive parenting and provide reassurance when confidence is low.
Carers also work closely with social workers and other professionals, sharing observations and attending meetings. This helps everyone involved understand how a parent is progressing and what support might be needed next.
One of our foster carers described it simply: “You are not there to take over. You are there to support. You see parents grow in confidence through everyday moments. Helping a parent feel proud of themselves is just as important as caring for the child.”
It could be you
You do not need previous fostering experience to foster with Unity. What matters most is patience, understanding and the ability to offer a stable, supportive home. Our carers come from many different backgrounds, and full training, ongoing support and financial allowances are provided.
Parent and child fostering can be challenging at times, but it is also deeply rewarding. For many carers, knowing they have helped a family stay together is what makes the role so special.
If you live in Leeds or the surrounding areas and think this could be something you would like to explore, we would love to hear from you. An initial conversation is informal and without pressure.
To find out more about parent and child fostering with Unity Foster Care, visit unityfostercare.co.uk or contact our team on 0333 77 22 333 to take the first step towards supporting a parent and child.