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Your Questions
Your questions are important to us. Please see below common questions asked by potential foster parents.
If there is anything not answered below, or you'd like an informal chat, press the contact button below.
Common Questions Asked
Is there a right age to become a foster parent?
Almost 50% of people think if you’re over 55 you can’t be a foster parent.
This is a myth.
As a rule, fostering service providers prefer foster parents to be over 21 years old but legally you can apply to foster from the age of 18 years dependent on your ability and circumstances.
There is no upper age limit and many foster parents continue well into their 70s. What is important is that you are fit enough to care for a child or young person who is placed with you.
The majority of foster parents are in the 40 to 60-year age bracket..
Do I need to be married to foster?
There is no regulation or requirement that you need to be married to foster.
You can be married, in a civil partnership, single, separated, divorced or living together.
If you are living together, then most fostering providers would want like you to have been together for at least a two-year period..
If you are living together, then most fostering providers would want like you to have been together for at least a two-year period..
Can I become a foster parent if I am lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?
Your sexual orientation or gender identity has no bearing on your ability to provide a loving nurturing and safe environment for a child or young person.
The above should never be a barrier to you applying to foster.
Do I need a spare room to foster?
Most fostering service providers will require you to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person that you foster.
Check out our blog post on why foster caring requires foster parents to have a spare bedroom here.
Do I need to own my own home to become a foster parent?
Your accommodation, be it owned or rented will be an important part of your fostering assessment process, but you do not need to own your own home.
You will need to have the necessary space and stability to offer a nurturing and safe environment for children and young people placed with you.
Can I foster if I have children of my own?
You can foster if you have children of your own. Fostering involves the whole family and will affect and impact on your children in different ways.
The children of foster parents play a key role and depending on their age and ability, they will be included in the fostering assessment process.
Sometimes it can be tough for children who find themselves sharing their parents with other children and young people. Many children say they have enjoyed being part of the fostering household and learnt a lot from it.
Many fostering providers provide support group meetings and events for foster carers own children as well.
Sometimes it can be tough for children who find themselves sharing their parents with other children and young people. Many children say they have enjoyed being part of the fostering household and learnt a lot from it.
Many fostering providers provide support group meetings and events for foster carers own children as well.
Can I foster if I or my partner has a disability, medical condition or has suffered a mental illness?
During the fostering assessment process, you will be required to undergo a medical which will indicate whether you are fit to foster.
This will usually be undertaken by your own GP.
The medical assessment will cover general health and fitness, plus any long- or short-term health issues you may have had. They will also be asked about any current medication that you are being prescribed. Your medical assessment report will also be reviewed and commented on by the fostering services own Medical Advisor.
As long as you are deemed to be well enough to undertake the fostering role, a medical condition should not prevent you from fostering.
The medical assessment will cover general health and fitness, plus any long- or short-term health issues you may have had. They will also be asked about any current medication that you are being prescribed. Your medical assessment report will also be reviewed and commented on by the fostering services own Medical Advisor.
As long as you are deemed to be well enough to undertake the fostering role, a medical condition should not prevent you from fostering.
Can I become a foster parent in the UK if I am not a British Citizen?
You do not have to be a British Citizen to foster, but you will need to have the right to reside in the UK.
Children from a wide range of backgrounds, including those seeking asylum in the UK need foster carers who can reflect their cultural or ethnic background.
If you are a resident in the UK for a specific period, this would need to be taken into account.
Check out our blog post here on the requirements of fostering.
Can I become a foster parent if I have current or previous financial problems?
Your financial situation will be discussed as part of the fostering assessment.
You will need to be able to show that you are financially secure enough to provide a stable home for any child that is placed with you
You will be paid a fostering allowance and you will need to demonstrate that you can manage financially.
To learn more about the benefits and financial help for foster parent/s, check out our blog post here.
Can I foster if I have been convicted of a criminal offence?
All fostering applicants and those living in the fostering household are required to complete an enhanced disclosure with the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service).
The outcome of this will indicate whether you or members of the household have committed any offences which would prevent you from working with children.
You must declare any criminal convictions when you first apply to foster and the fostering service dealing with your application will be able to advise you as to whether you are likely to be approved as a foster carer.
You must declare any criminal convictions when you first apply to foster and the fostering service dealing with your application will be able to advise you as to whether you are likely to be approved as a foster carer.
Can I foster a child if I have pets?
An assessment of pets in your home will be discussed as part of the process.
Having pets can be beneficial to children by helping their development but the safety of our chidlren and young people will always be a priority.
As part of the assessment process we will discuss whether there could be any risk associated with the pets in your home.
As part of the assessment process we will discuss whether there could be any risk associated with the pets in your home.
How many children can I foster?
Fostering service providers would approve you to care for a certain number of children, and this will depend on the space you have in your home and your experience.
Most families are approved to care for one, two or three children. Each year the approval is reviewed and it is possible to change the approval if the circumstances in the foster home change, such as an extra bedroom becomes available.
What will be your next step?
Take time to discuss your next steps with any significant others, or get in touch with us so we can answer any questions you might have.
You can request a call back or learn more by reading our evolve brochure.
Apply to become a Foster Parent with evolve