New to fostering
New to fostering
Everything you need to work out whether this is for you, on one page. If you would rather just talk it through with someone, call us.
Over 21A spare bedroomThe right to work in the UKThat is the whole list
Everything you need to work out whether this is for you, on one page. If you would rather just talk it through with someone, call us.
There are only three regulatory requirements. You need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom, and have the right to work in the UK.
Almost everything else people worry about is not a barrier.
Single, married, in a civil partnership, separated or divorced — all fine.
You do not need to own your home. You do need a spare bedroom.
Many of our foster parents work. It depends on the type of fostering and the needs of the child.
You can have children of your own, and pets. Your children are part of the assessment.
Your sexual orientation and gender identity have no bearing on your ability to give a child a safe, nurturing home.
There is no upper age limit, and many foster parents carry on well into their 70s.
If you are not sure where you land, ask us.
Fostering is caring for a child when their own family cannot, until they can return home or find a permanent home. Children come into care for all sorts of reasons: a parent who has died or is seriously ill, neglect, or abuse. These are the four types of arrangement we offer.
A child lives with you until they are able to live independently.
Usually between three months and two years, while a more permanent home is found.
Shorter and planned in advance, for example one weekend a month or during the school holidays.
A specialist arrangement where a parent and their baby live with you and are supported to build the skills to stay together.
What is in place around you, from the day you are approved onwards.
From a multi-disciplinary team with over 50 years' experience between them.
We match for arrangements that last, not ones that start quickly.
Your Supervising Social Worker's caseload is capped at seven families.
Immediate access, with no waiting list and no cost to you.
All year, from someone who knows you and knows the child.
An experienced foster parent alongside you from the start.
Money shouldn't be the biggest reason to foster, but it is a real factor in a professional role.
Grants, respite pay and the referral scheme are all set out in one place.
One conversation usually answers more than an afternoon of reading. There is no obligation to go any further, and nothing stopping you coming back to it later.
It takes 16 to 20 weeks, because the legal checks have to be done properly and the assessment has to be done well. There is nothing to fear in it.
Call, message or fill in the form. Someone rings you back within 24 hours, with no obligation to go further.
If you both want to continue, we visit you at home. As much your chance to ask us everything as ours to get to know you.
You complete the form and the information we need for checks and references. We help you with it.
An experienced social worker visits several times to complete your Form F, alongside the skills to foster training.
Your assessment goes to our independent panel. Once approved, you get your Supervising Social Worker and we start talking to local authorities about matches.
The ten we are asked most often, answered straight. If yours isn't here, ask us.
Call 01304 799900Almost half of people think you can't foster over 55. That's a myth. Providers generally prefer foster parents to be over 21, and legally you can apply from 18 depending on your circumstances. There is no upper age limit. What matters is that you are fit enough to care for the child placed with you.
No. You can be married, in a civil partnership, single, separated, divorced or living together. If you are living together, most providers would want you to have been together at least two years.
Yes. Your sexual orientation or gender identity has no bearing on your ability to give a child a safe, nurturing home, and should never be a barrier to applying.
No. Rented or owned, your accommodation forms part of the assessment, but you do not need to own it. You do need a spare bedroom.
Yes. Fostering involves the whole family, and your children will be part of the assessment depending on their age. It can be hard sharing their parents, and many birth children also say they learned a great deal from it. We run support groups for them.
You will have a medical, usually with your own GP, covering general health, any long or short-term conditions, and current medication. A condition is not automatically a barrier. The question is whether you are well enough to care for a child.
No, but you need the right to reside in the UK. Children from a wide range of backgrounds, including children seeking asylum, need foster parents who reflect their culture and ethnicity.
Everyone in the household completes an enhanced DBS check. You must declare any convictions when you apply, and we will tell you honestly whether it is likely to prevent approval. Not every offence does.
Most families are approved for one, two or three, depending on your space and experience. Approval is reviewed every year and can change if your circumstances do.
Many of our foster parents do. It depends on the type of fostering and the needs of the child, and it is something to talk through early.
Leave your details and one of our fostering advisers will call you back, usually within one working day. No obligation, and no hard sell.
You can ask everything you want to ask before anything else happens.
There is nothing stopping you coming back to it later.