Can I foster a baby?

In the UK, about only six percent of the children in foster care are under the age of one. Often children under one are short term placements because they are waiting for adoption or a more permanent setting.

The majority of children in foster care nationally are over 11 years old. In By the Bridge the majority of children in our care are aged over 8 years old, the average age of our foster children being 12 years old.

By the Bridge Foster Parents can work as 'parent and baby' fosterers, but this not our core work. Fostering a parent and baby is unlike other fostering, because the parent is responsible for the baby or child’s care. As a 'parent and baby' Foster Parent, your role is to advise and support them to do it.