Why do children need fostering?

There are a variety of reasons why children may need alternative care because their parents are unable to look after them. For example, a mother or father may be experiencing difficulties, a teenage parent may be having housing problems or a troubled teenager may need a break away from home. And there are many other situations that can arise and lead to a child being fostered.

The foster care may just be for a few days, weeks, months - or it may be for many years.