When people first explore fostering, one of the most common questions they ask is: How long will the child be with us? And while the short answer is that it varies on a case-by-case basis, Majella shares what she has seen to be the case in the majority of situations that require foster care.
In this short Inside Origins video, Majella explains that there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer – the length of time a child remains in care depends on their specific needs, circumstances, and the type of foster care.
As Majella outlines, there are several kinds of foster care available through foster care:
Each of these types of foster care can play a vital role in a child’s life – offering safety, consistency, and support at the time it’s most needed.
When a child comes into foster care, it’s usually through a court process that results in either:
Some children may be reunited with their birth families once the issues that led to their needing foster care are resolved. However, Majella explains that predominantly children who need to go into foster care remain in care until they turn eighteen, particularly if their circumstances are complex or if reunification isn’t a safe or viable option.
Regardless of the length of time, each different type of foster care aims to provide the same thing: a nurturing, stable environment where the child can feel safe, supported and seen. At Origins, our trauma‑informed training and wraparound supports help carers do just that – whether for a few days or several years.
If you think that you could be open to becoming a foster carer, you can:
→ Learn more about the supports Origins provides every foster carer
→ Explore our Become a Foster Carer page to see how you can get started fostering
→ Join one of our upcoming online Fostering Info Sessions
→ Or Apply Online to Become a Foster Carer if you're ready to take the next step
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
