Give them a place that’s theirs, somewhere steady for a weekend or two.
Part-time fostering is about offering breathing space when it’s needed most. By welcoming a young person for a weekend or two every month, you help foster carers recharge and give young people stability and care.
3 reasons to foster with Break
Fostering that fits around you
Fostering part-time with Break lets you provide short breaks for a child, perhaps one or two weekends a month, so you can make a real difference in a young persons life whilst also balancing your own work and family life.
Training and support every step of the way
You’ll receive the same training, therapeutic guidance, and access to Break’s support network as our full-time carers. Our trauma-informed approach ensures you understand the impact of early experiences on children’s behaviour, helping you respond with empathy and confidence while feeling fully supported in your role.
Make a difference for the whole family
By providing meaningful short breaks and stable care, you strengthen the child’s support network, help build resilience, and contribute to their sense of safety and belonging - while also giving their full-time foster carers a valuable rest, helping the whole family feel supported and cared for.
How support fostering works
How will I be matched with a child or family?
As a part-time foster carer, you'll be carefully matched with a foster family. We take the time to understand your strengths, preferences and availability, as well as the child’s needs, personality, and routine. This thoughtful matching helps ensure the placement works well for everyone, giving both carers and children the best chance to build trust, feel comfortable, and thrive together.
What is the application process and financial support?
Becoming a part-time foster carer involves a structured process the same as a full-time foster carer. We'll start with an initial conversation and a home visit. You'll then complete an application form and go through the assessment process, culminating in an approval panel.
What training and ongoing support will I receive?
You’ll access to all full training, therapeutic guidance, and Break’s support network, just like our full-time carers. Our trauma-informed approach helps you understand children’s experiences, respond with empathy, and build confidence, while ongoing support ensures you feel prepared and equipped throughout each placement.
Heather, foster carer
“The matching process was done very carefully to make sure it was right for everyone, including my son. We all got to know each other gradually and our young person now stays with me one weekend a month and we do all sorts of fun things together!”
Book a no-obligation chat
A short conversation to explore fostering and see if it’s right for you. No obligation, just friendly advice.
A few of your support fostering questions answered
Will fostering affect my family life or existing commitments?
Part-time fostering is designed to fit around your life. You can choose short-term breaks that work with your existing commitments. Break carefully matches children to your availability, so you can make a difference while maintaining your family life and other responsibilities.
What financial support will I receive?
Just like full-time foster carers, you are remunerated for the vital role you play. Payments are made on a session-by-session basis, covering the costs of caring for the child, including food, activities, and essentials, as well as recognising your time and commitment. This financial support helps make fostering manageable and sustainable
What is therapeutic parenting?
Therapeutic parenting is a nurturing, trauma‑informed way of caring that focuses on empathy, understanding and consistent, predictable support. Instead of managing behaviour, it sees behaviour as communication. It helps children feel safe, build trust and form secure relationships by responding sensitively to their needs, supported by training and guidance from Break’s team.
The application process
Our team will give you more details on how the application process works, but here’s a quick guide:
1. Getting to know you
Once you’ve shown interest, we’ll have a relaxed chat to hear about you, visit your home to get to know your family, and, if it feels right, start your Expression of
Interest.
2. Your assessment
You’ll work with your Break Social Worker to complete your assessment. Then, with their support, you’ll meet the Fostering Panel, who will decide if you’re ready to be approved.
3. Matching families
Once approved we will carefully match you with one of our foster families and their young person.
