It Takes A Family (ITAF)
What is the It Takes A Family (ITAF) Model?
We’ve all heard the phrase “It takes a family to raise a child.” The ITAF model brings this idea to life by creating a flexible, family-centred support network around foster carers and the young people they care for.
ITAF offers a family-based alternative for young people currently living in residential care and builds a supportive network around foster carers.
It connects a main foster carer with a small group of extended carers who provide practical help, emotional support and continuity for the young person. It’s designed to support young people with complex needs and provide foster carers with consistent, reliable help.
Research shows that children in residential care often face greater challenges than those placed with families, particularly in areas such as education, mental health and physical wellbeing.
The ITAF model provides a family-based alternative to residential care, helping young people flourish in a positive and stable environment.
The extended carers are carefully matched to the young person and main foster carer, so that the young person receives the best support possible.
How does ITAF support foster carers?
We know that caring for children, especially those with complex needs, is incredibly rewarding but can also be challenging. The ITAF model builds a team around the main foster carer, so they feel supported.
This team includes extended carers who step in to help with day-to-day tasks, emotional support and anything else that helps the young person thrive and the main carer feel supported.
Alongside on-going and consistent support from experienced Supervising Social Workers. Extended carers might help with:
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family visits and transport
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taking the child out for activities
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attending meetings
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teaching life skills
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giving the main carer planned breaks
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offering peer support and friendship
The ITAF model is just one of the ways BCP Fostering supports carers and young people. If you're considering fostering or simply want to learn more about how you could get involved, we’d love to hear from you.