The Role of Foster Care in Permanency

Foster care is a crucial, temporary support that keeps children and youth safe and cared for until Permanency can be achieved through reunification, transfer of physical and legal custody, or adoption.  Foster parents play an essential role in supporting youth until the child welfare system completes its ultimate purpose to restore a child to a safe, loving, legally secure family.

Foster parents are key members of the team working to achieve permanency for children in foster care. Foster parents often work with birth parents and support reunification efforts. They also may consider adopting the children in their care if the children cannot return home. 

Types of Foster Care

To meet the unique needs of children/youth and foster families, there are different types of foster care. 

FOSTER CARE: You provide full-time care for a foster child/youth in your home

RESPITE OR RELIEF CARE: a family provides short-term care for children or youth in need. Care is intended to be scheduled and flexible, such as on weekends and holidays. It can also be offered during emergencies or times of crisis.

Respite or relief care provides a temporary break for families responsible for children or youth with varying levels of need. This extra support benefits both the child/youth and caregiver by:

• Providing a temporary break from household stress,

• Helping caregivers feel less isolated,

• Improving child/youth and family stability,

• Providing a temporary break from the emotional and physical demands of caregiving,

• Allowing the child/youth to experience different social activities outside of the home.

• Giving the traditional foster family time to recuperate from stress or fulfill previous obligations without permanently disrupting the child’s placement.

Respite care can also be an opportunity for individuals and families who want to help others or give fostering a try but aren’t ready for a long-term commitment.

If you would like to discuss providing respite or relief care with a Social Worker, you can:
Call Social Development at 1-833-SDDSTel (1-833-733-7835) between 8:15-4:30 Monday to Friday. 

• Press 1 for English, 2 for French. 

• Press option 3 and then select your geographical zone to talk to someone about becoming a foster family. 

Evenings or weekends you can call 211.
Or:
Send an email to fosterfamilies_famillesdaccueil@gnb.ca. To help us direct your email, please be sure to include the following information:

1. That you would like to speak with a social worker about providing respite/relief care.

2. Which area of the province you live in.

PROFESSIONAL CARE HOMES: an individual or family with education/training in caring for children or youth with complex needs opens their home to become a full-time professional caregiver.

To apply or for more information about professional care homes, contact the Department of Social Development at 1-833-998-3880 or email  professionalcarehomes@gnb.ca.