Taking a child in foster care on holidays

We are often asked if foster children can be taken on family holidays with their foster carers.

The short answer to this is yes. Taking a foster child on holiday can be a rewarding and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Although the process of taking a foster child away may not be as simple as it is for your birth children, taking foster children on holiday is not uncommon. Read along to discover what it entails, including the planning, benefits, and considerations.

The first step is to choose your destination

Whether you plan to stay in Wales, other parts of the UK, or head overseas, it’s important to settle on a destination that is child friendly, and well suited to everyone in the party. Pay particular attention to the distance you’ll need to travel, by what means you’ll get there, and how the children and young people will cope with this.

Get permission

Once you have an idea of where you’d like to go, the next step is to inform the relevant authorities that you are thinking about going away. Your Supervising Social Worker will be able to advise on your individual circumstances, and let you know who you will need to seek permission from. If you plan to go abroad, you may need to apply for a passport and other documentation for the child or young person who is going.

Book your holiday

Once you’ve been given the green light and have all the essential documentation, make your booking! Think about packing appropriately for the weather and activities, but also make sure the child or young person has their essential items, which can include medications, comfort objects, and even certain foods. A lot of children and young people may cope better if they know what to expect, so think about getting them involved with making plans, or discussing the itinerary with them.

Off you go!

Enjoy your holiday – you all deserve it! Traveling together and sharing experiences can strengthen your bonds, enhance trust, and foster a sense of belonging. It can also broaden views of the world, inspire curiosity and learning, and build positive memories for everyone.

However, it is important to be mindful that going on holiday may bring up difficult emotions for some of our children and young people, so be sure to plan ahead, maintain some level of routine and structure and have strategies in place to manage any challenges sensitively and effectively. With careful planning, you can make your family holiday one to remember for everyone.