Fostering - Family Options
Can anyone apply to become a foster carer?
Anyone can apply to be considered as a foster carer. Carers are as diverse as the children they look after. You can be single, married or in a long-term stable relationship, have a high or low income, you can own your own home or you can rent.
A specific barrier to applying is if you have a certain type of criminal record. The application process will include police checks to exclude people who would not be considered suitable. A conviction will not necessarily stop you from being accepted but will be carefully considered by us. Serious health issues could also be a barrier.
How many children can I foster?
This depends on circumstances and would be discussed during the application process.
How old are the children that can be fostered?
The social worker will discuss with you what age children will best fit into your family.
How long does the fostering application
process take?
Usually 6-9 months.
Do I have to be a British Citizen to foster?
No, but you must be able to demonstrate that you are eligible to live in the UK on a permanent basis.
Do foster carers need training?
Yes, because foster care involves more than being a caring person, though that is essential. Some children have been very upset by their experiences and skill is required in helping them deal with this.
Most foster carers will initially be trained using the Fostering Network’s “The Skills to Foster” course. This course introduces you to the needs of children, working with parents and the fostering agency, and issues such as managing behaviour.
Is financial assistance given to foster carers?
In addition to a fee of up to £350 you will receive the appropriate maintenance allowance for each child, to cover all the costs of caring for the child.
Can I foster if I have children of my own?
Yes. Having your own children means you can bring your knowledge and experience to caring for foster children, but many children are successfully placed with carers who do not have children of their own, or whose children have grown up.
Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?
You cannot become a foster carer if you have certain types of criminal record. The application process will include police checks to exclude people who would not be considered suitable to be carers. A conviction will not necessarily stop you from being accepted but will be carefully considered by us.
Can fostering lead to adoption?
On rare occasions foster carers have adopted, but they have been required to be re-assessed as adopters to do so. If you wish for a child to live with you permanently via adoption, then you must be assessed as an adopter in the first instance.
Can I foster if I smoke?
We follow advice from the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) and the Department of Health regarding smoking and passive smoking. We would not normally place a child under 5 or a child with a medical condition such as asthma in a household where anyone smokes.
We would not refuse enquiries from people who smoke, however we would need to carefully consider applications from smokers and determine whether we feel it would be possible to work with them on their smoking issues in order for children to be placed with them. We strongly encourage anyone who smokes to take active steps to give up, to benefit themselves and any child in their care.
How long do the children stay for when fostering?
This depends on the reason the children need looking after. It can be a day, a week, months or years, although the average is about three to six months.
Most families will be encouraged to think about the sort of work they want to do with children and their families, and this will then identify what kind of care they can then offer to children. You may be approved as a short term and or long term foster carer.
Each child will have a care plan which is regularly reviewed, determining how long they will remain with you.
What accommodation do I need for fostering?
As long as you have a spare bedroom and room for a foster child, it does not matter what size your home is. The house should however have space for children to play, an eating area and place to study. A child will need their own bed and space to keep personal possessions.
What support is available to a foster carer?
Each foster carer is allocated a supervising social worker, who will be a source of advice and help to you. In addition, all children placed will have their own social worker.
Ongoing training for foster carers is recognised as important. Local foster care groups and social events also provide an opportunity for foster carers, link workers and others to meet and discuss common issues and concerns.
out-of-hours support is available. All foster carers have access to our Psychology service for assistance in understanding and managing children’s behaviour.
