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Respite fostering: what it is and how it works
Respite fostering means caring for a child for a short, pre-arranged period - typically a weekend or a few days - so another carer, whether a foster family or a birth family, gets a planned break. It's one of the most under-supplied types of fostering, and often the type a new carer is approved for first.
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 24 August 2026 · Last reviewed 24 August 2026
What respite fostering actually involves
Respite fostering gives another carer a scheduled break by taking on a child, or children, for a fixed, agreed period - usually planned days or weeks in advance rather than at short notice. Most often this supports a full-time foster carer looking after a child with more complex or demanding needs, though it can also support a birth family, kinship carer or parent going through a difficult period, giving everyone involved a predictable pause rather than an emergency intervention.
How respite compares to the other main types
| Type | Typical length | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Respite | A few days, planned in advance | Short breaks that support another carer or family, often to prevent burnout |
| Short-term | Weeks to around two years | Caring for a child while their long-term plan is decided |
| Long-term | Years, often to adulthood | A stable, settled home for a child who won't be returning to birth family or being adopted |
| Emergency | Hours to a few days, unplanned | Immediate, safe care when a child needs to be removed from a situation with no notice |
Why respite carers are in such short supply
England had 56,345 approved foster carers as of March 2025 - a net loss of 720 carers on the year before, and 7,545 fewer than in 2021, meaning carer numbers have now fallen for four consecutive years. The Fostering Network estimates 5,000 more fostering families are needed across England for every child to be placed with the right family. [The Fostering Network, 2025]
The same research names lack of support and burnout as two of the three main reasons foster carers stop fostering altogether. [The Fostering Network, 2025] Respite carers help directly with that problem - a planned break can be the difference between a full-time carer continuing for years and a full-time carer burning out and leaving the workforce, which is exactly why services tend to value respite carers highly and often struggle to find enough of them.
Is respite fostering paid?
Yes. Respite carers are paid, though most services calculate the amount per night or day of care rather than as a full weekly rate. The National Minimum Allowance sets the statutory floor that applies across mainstream fostering: for 2025/26, England's Rest-of-England band runs from £170/week (age 0-2) to £258/week (age 16-17), with London and the South East paying more. [The Fostering Network, National Minimum Allowance table, 2025/26]
This is not a salary. You're only paid for the days or nights you actually care for a child, with no sick pay, holiday pay or pension - and because respite placements are shorter and less frequent than full-time ones, respite income is naturally lower and less predictable. Always ask a service for its specific respite payment structure in writing before you commit.
Could respite fostering be your way in?
Many people considering fostering for the first time are drawn to respite because it's a genuine, bounded commitment rather than an open-ended one - you know in advance roughly what you're taking on and for how long. That said, respite carers go through the same statutory Form F assessment as any other foster carer; there's no shortcut or lighter-touch approval route just because the placements themselves are shorter. If you're weighing this up, our guide to foster carer requirements sets out exactly what that assessment covers, and our eligibility guide tackles the myths - renting, being single, being over 55 - that wrongly put people off before they've even enquired.
Frequently asked questions
Is respite fostering the same as being a full-time foster carer?
No. Respite carers offer short, planned breaks - often a weekend or a few days at a time - rather than continuous, day-to-day care of one child over months or years.
Do respite foster carers get an allowance?
Yes, respite carers are paid, usually calculated per night or day rather than a full week. Rates vary by service, so it's worth asking for the specific figure in writing before you commit.
Can I be approved for respite fostering only?
Yes. Some carers are approved specifically to offer respite rather than full-time placements - discuss this with the service assessing you, since not every service offers a respite-only route.