Yes!

We understand that everyone’s situation is unique but having another job shouldn’t necessarily stop you from fostering.

According to the Fostering Network, 40% of foster parents have another job alongside their professional role as a foster parent.

Fostering and Working

During your initial enquiry, our team will ask you some questions about yourselves and your job role/s. Our focus at this point is to ensure that the needs of the child or young person in your care is the priority.

As with birth children, your responsibilities change depending on a child’s needs and age. As a foster parent, you will need to fit these responsibilities into your daily life, they include but are not limited to…

  • Being available for medical and dental appointments
  • Arrange for them to get to school safely
  • Being with them in the school holidays
  • Looking after them if they need time off school
  • and attending all training necessary for your role as foster parent

Many parents to biological children struggle to pair these responsibilities with a ‘normal’ 9-5 job, especially as a single parent, so you may need to consider working part time or finding work that allows for the flexibility needed.

Whilst working another job is possible and won’t necessarily be a barrier to you fostering, it is important to note that being a foster parent is a professional role in itself and one that can be demanding.  

Respite Fostering

If you want to or have to continue working full time but still want to foster, you may be able to help foster children by becoming a respite foster parent.

Respite fostering is when you look after a child on a short-term basis, usually for a weekend or for a couple of weeks at a time (with advanced notice), to be able to give other full-time foster parents a break from their responsibilities. 

Fostering with evolve

To discuss all of the options available to you as a potential foster parent, get in touch with the team here at evolve. There is no obligation or expectation at the initial stages of enquiry and so it is always worth finding out as much information as you can.

Deciding to foster is a huge decision so it is important that it is at a time in your life that is right for you.