Placement Information

At Parent and Child Fostering Services Ltd (PACFS), we work in close partnership with Local Authorities to provide high-quality, carefully matched foster placements.

While our specialist focus is Parent and Child placements, we also support a range of children and young people who need a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

Every placement we offer is centred around the individual needs of the child. We take great care in matching children with foster carers who can provide the right level of emotional, physical, and developmental support—always prioritising the child’s long-term wellbeing and positive outcomes.

Placement Types

Parent and Child Placements (Specialist)

This is our core area of expertise.

Our trained and approved foster carers provide placements for parents and their babies or young children, offering a safe and supportive environment where parents can develop essential parenting skills.

These placements:

Provide practical, day-to-day guidance for parents
Support positive parenting development
Include structured, evidence-based assessments of a parent’s ability to safely care for their child
Focus on achieving the best possible outcome for both parent and child

In line with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011, both PACFS and the placing Local Authority must be satisfied that the placement is appropriate before it begins. Foster carers supporting these placements are specially trained to contribute to assessments while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both parent and child.

Emergency placements

We offer a responsive 24-hour emergency placement service for children and young people who require immediate care.

These placements:

Are arranged at short notice
Provide safe, temporary care during crisis situations
Typically last for a short period, allowing time for a more suitable long-term plan to be arranged

Bridging placements

Bridging placements provide short-term care while longer-term plans are being agreed.

Foster carers play a key role in supporting children through this transition, working towards outcomes such as:

Reunification with birth family
Adoption or long-term fostering
Transition to semi-independent or independent living

Respite placements

Respite care offers short-term support and relief for families and foster carers.

These placements:

Support birth families who may lack wider support networks
Provide planned breaks for foster carers, helping maintain placement stability
Ensure children continue to receive consistent, high-quality care

Short Breaks (for children with disabilities)

PACFS has foster carers trained to provide short-term care for children with disabilities, giving families much-needed breaks while ensuring continuity of care for the child.

Disability placements

We are committed to building a team of foster carers who have the skills and experience to care for children with disabilities and those requiring specialist medical care.

Short term placements

These placements serve as temporary arrangements while Local Authorities complete assessments, often following court recommendations. Short-term placements can range from a few days up to two years, depending on the circumstances.

Long term placements

When adoption is not an option, long-term foster placements provide a stable, permanent home where the foster carer supports the child through to adulthood and independence

At PACFS, we are dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for children, young people, and families through high-quality, well-matched foster placements.