This glossary explains some of the most common fostering terms you’ll encounter, helping you feel more confident as you explore whether fostering could be right for you.
Assessment
Before becoming approved as a foster carer, you’ll complete a fostering assessment. This process helps determine your suitability to foster and allows us to learn more about your family, lifestyle, experience and strengths.
At Lotus Foster Care, our experienced team supports applicants through every stage of the assessment process.
Care Plan
A care plan is a document that outlines how a child’s needs will be met while they are in care. It covers important areas including education, health, family relationships and long-term goals.
Child in Care
A child in care is a child or young person who has been placed under the care of a local authority. The child may live with foster carers, in residential care or other approved settings.
Connected Persons Foster Carer
A connected person is usually a relative, friend or someone already known to the child who becomes approved to care for them.
Emergency Placement
An emergency placement occurs when a child needs somewhere safe to stay at very short notice. Foster carers who provide emergency care play a vital role in offering stability during difficult circumstances.
Foster Carer
A foster carer is someone who provides a safe, nurturing and supportive home for a child or young person who cannot live with their birth family.
Foster carers come from all walks of life and bring unique skills, experiences and perspectives that help children thrive.
Fostering Allowance
A fostering allowance is the financial support provided to foster carers to help cover the costs of caring for a child. The exact amount may vary depending on the type of placement and the child’s needs.
Foster Placement
A foster placement refers to the arrangement where a child lives with approved foster carers. Placements can be short-term, long-term, emergency, respite or specialist placements.
Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)
An Independent Fostering Agency recruits, trains and supports foster carers on behalf of local authorities.
As an independent fostering agency, Lotus Foster Care provides comprehensive training, dedicated support and ongoing professional development to help foster carers make a lasting difference in children’s lives.
Long-Term Fostering
Long-term fostering provides a child or young person with a stable family environment for an extended period, often until they reach adulthood.
This type of fostering can offer children the consistency, security and sense of belonging they need to flourish.
Looked After Child (LAC)
A Looked After Child is a term used to describe a child who is being cared for by a local authority.
Matching
Matching is the process of finding the most suitable foster family for a child.
A successful match considers factors such as the child’s individual needs, personality, cultural heritage, language, education and family circumstances.
At Lotus Foster Care, we recognise that thoughtful matching is one of the key foundations of a successful placement.
Panel
The fostering panel is an independent group of professionals who review fostering assessments and make recommendations regarding approval.
Placement Agreement
A placement agreement outlines the expectations and responsibilities of everyone involved in a foster placement, helping to ensure clarity and consistency.
Respite Care
Respite fostering provides short breaks for children, young people or existing foster families. It can be an excellent way for new carers to gain fostering experience.
Review
Foster carers participate in regular reviews to ensure they continue to receive the support, training and guidance needed to provide high-quality care.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding refers to the measures taken to protect children and young people from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Lotus Foster Care.
Short-Term Fostering
Short-term fostering provides temporary care for children while longer-term plans are being developed.
The length of these placements can vary depending on the child’s circumstances and future care arrangements.
Supervising Social Worker
Every foster carer is allocated a supervising social worker who provides advice, guidance, support and regular supervision throughout their fostering journey.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care recognises the impact that difficult life experiences can have on a child’s emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
At Lotus Foster Care, we promote trauma-informed approaches that help children feel safe, understood and supported as they build positive relationships and develop confidence.
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child (UASC)
An unaccompanied asylum-seeking child is a young person who has arrived in the UK without a parent or legal guardian and is seeking protection.
These children often require specialist support, understanding and stability as they adjust to a new environment.
Why Understanding Fostering Terminology Matters
Learning the language of fostering can make the entire process feel much more approachable. Whether you’re just starting to research fostering or considering making an application, understanding key terms can help you feel informed and confident.
At Lotus Foster Care, we’re committed to supporting prospective foster carers from their first enquiry through to approval and beyond. Our friendly team is always available to answer questions, explain the process and help you discover whether fostering is right for you.
Interested in Becoming a Foster Carer?
If you’d like to learn more about fostering with Lotus Foster Care, get in touch with our team today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps of your fostering journey.