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Your Questions
Your questions are important to us. Please see below common questions asked by potential foster parents.
Common Questions Asked
Is there a right age to become 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?
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?
Do I need a spare room to 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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
As part of the assessment process we will discuss whether there could be any risk associated with the pets in your home.