Respite foster care is time limited.

A respite foster carer could care for a child for a week or two at a time, for example during school holidays, or at weekends – and could be the same child on a regular basis.

Foster carers who offer respite fostering generally look after children who are already cared for on a full time basis by other non-related foster carers, or by kinship carers (extended family members).

A foster carer who is approved as a short term or long term carer can also provide respite care if they have the capacity and you may choose to do this between children.