Taking Foster Children on Holiday: 5 Things You Need to Know

If you’re a first-time foster carer, you may wonder whether taking a foster child on holiday is possible. The great news is, in most cases, it is! In fact, it is not only possible but also encouraged. However, there are some things you need to be aware of before booking a trip. In this article, we’ll discuss some things you need to know about taking a foster child on holiday:

1.     Staycation Vs Going Abroad

As mentioned above, whether you’re fostering in Kent or another part of the UK, in most cases, it is possible to take a foster child on holiday. However, some holidays are more complicated to arrange than others.

Holidaying with a foster child in the UK, whether with your family, friends or school, is much easier than planning a holiday abroad; there are far fewer boxes to be ticked. However, this doesn’t mean holidaying abroad with a foster child is impossible. As long as you work with the local authority to obtain all relevant permissions, you can take your foster child abroad. Some requirements include getting a letter from the local authority and ensuring your foster child has the necessary immunisations to travel.

2.     The Accommodation

Another important consideration when planning a holiday with a foster child is the accommodation you will stay in. At home, foster families are required to provide their foster children with a room of their own; bear this in mind when booking holiday accommodation. Whether you are browsing for a spacious hotel suite or a quiet accommodation in braemar, ensuring the floor plan allows for private, separate sleeping quarters is essential for maintaining the child’s comfort and adhering to fostering regulations.

3.     Holiday Expenses

No matter where you choose to go, holidays can be expensive. Because of this, many fostering agencies may pay an additional allowance over school holidays. This money can help go towards the cost of a holiday or other activities your foster child participates in. Your local authority or foster agency will be able to tell you whether you are entitled.

4.     Choosing Activities

Often, when we go on holiday, particularly when we go abroad, we participate in new activities. This might include things like parasailing or speedboat riding. While these activities can be great fun, they can be overwhelming for foster children. Talk to the children in your care before you go on holiday, so they know what to expect. Show them photos and discuss the sorts of things you’ll be doing, and what the days will look like, so they are prepared.

5.     Consider Alternatives

If you’re not able to take your foster child on holiday, this doesn’t mean you can’t create some long-lasting memories with them. Instead of booking a holiday, you can plan some day trips with them. Think about what they like, and book trips they will enjoy. For example, you can book a day trip to a zoo if they love animals.

Going on holiday with a foster child has many benefits, including allowing you to create some wonderful memories with the children in your care. However, it’s important to know that going on holiday with a foster child takes a lot of planning. If you want to take a foster child away, talk to your fostering agency to determine what rules and requirements you need to meet.