Can I foster?

Find out if fostering is right for you

Can I foster?

Fostering is a unique journey that changes lives, not just for children but for those who care for them. If you’re thinking of possibly becoming a foster carer, you might wonder: What does it take?

At its core, fostering requires a nurturing heart, resilience, and a commitment to provide a stable, loving home. Age, marital status, or homeownership are flexible, and there are no qualifications needed. As long as you’re able to create a safe space and dedicate time to a child’s needs, you can be a foster carer.

Foster care requirements

Becoming a foster carer means offering a stable and caring home for children who need it most. To ensure each child’s well-being, foster carers need to meet some essential criteria.

You need to be:

At least 21 years old
A UK resident
In good physical and mental health
Have a safe, clean, and comfortable living space with a spare bedroom for the foster child

It is also really important that you have the right character. Our carers are kind, patient, friendly, dedicated, and mature enough to handle the demands of the role.

Things you should consider before fostering

Fostering is an incredibly fulfilling path, but it also comes with unique demands. Taking a moment to consider the full scope of what’s involved can help you to prepare for your journey.

Some of the main things to think about:

It’s a big personal commitment. Time, energy, and dedication are essential.
You’ll need to be flexible. Adapting to the child’s needs is key.
Whether you have any health conditions that could make fostering more difficult in the future.
How fostering will impact family members. It works best when everyone is involved and on board.
Whether your home is suitable for a young child or teenager.
The support network around you. You’ll get plenty of support from the agency, but having people who can help give you emotional support while you foster is really important.
Understand your rights as a carer.
Familiarise yourself with the role’s commitments.
Your experience with children, either through raising, working with or volunteering with them.

How to become a foster parent

Speak With Us

The first step is to get in touch! We’ll have a chat to learn more about you, answer your questions, and explain what long-term fostering involves. This is your chance to find out if fostering is the right fit for you.

Home Visit

Next, we’ll arrange a visit to your home. Don’t worry - it’s not about perfection! We’ll check that your home is safe and has enough space for a child, and we’ll talk more about what fostering looks like day-to-day.

Application Form

If you’re ready to move forward, you’ll fill out an application form. This gives us all the important details about you, your family, and your background so we can get the ball rolling.

Checks and References

As fostering is such an important role, we’ll carry out thorough checks, including a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and speak with your references. This is to make sure everything is in place to support you and the child you’ll care for.

Fostering Training

Before you welcome a child into your home, you’ll attend our fostering training sessions. These are designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to provide the best care possible.

Panel Interview

The final step is meeting our fostering panel. This is a chance for us to discuss your application and for you to share why you want to foster. If approved, you’ll officially be ready to start your journey as a long-term foster carer!

What are the roles and responsibilities of foster parents

Frequently asked questions

We understand that fostering can be a demanding full-time commitment. That’s why we make sure that we look after our carers to recognise the incredible work that you do and enable you to provide the best care possible.

We offer a competitive rate that covers essentials like food, clothing, and household bills to meet the child’s needs, as well as additional expenses for any special requirements they might have. Alongside your financial allowance, you’ll have access to regular training and round-the-clock support from our team to help you feel confident and prepared.

If you’d like to learn more about how your allowances and benefits are calculated, we’re always here to talk it through.

There are many different types of fostering. Each one is unique as the child needing care, and each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. We’ll help you to decide what is the best fit for you.

Short-Term Fostering: Temporary placements, ranging from a few days to a couple of years, until a child can return to their family or move to a permanent home.
Long-Term Fostering: Provides a stable home for children who can’t return to their birth family, often lasting until they reach adulthood.
Emergency Fostering: Immediate care for children in urgent situations, sometimes overnight or just a few days.
Respite Fostering: Short breaks for foster families, ranging from a few hours to a weekend.
Parent and Child Fostering: A young parent and their baby live with a foster family.
Therapeutic Fostering: Specialised care for children with complex emotional or behavioural needs, often requiring additional training.
Teenager Fostering: Supporting young people and helping them transition into adulthood.
Sibling Fostering: Keeping siglings together in one home to maintain their family bond.
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC): Providing care and stability for children arriving in the UK without a parent or guardian.

When they turn 18, they will officially leave foster care. The local council remains responsible for providing support, such as a personal adviser and a pathway plan.

Foster care includes collaborating with teachers, social workers and counsellors to provide comprehensive support for children.