Fostering Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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We know that thinking about fostering throws up lots of questions you need answering. We've put together some of the most frequently asked ones here, but if you can't find what you are looking for on this page or our other pages don't worry! We are happy to help (and there is no such thing as a stupid question!)
Am I too young/old to foster?
Do I have to be married to foster?
Do I need to own my own home?
Can I foster if I work full time?
I smoke - will this stop me being able to foster?
Can I foster if I have a disability or health problem?
Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?
Will I get paid for being a foster carer?
How old are foster children?
How long will foster children stay with me?
Do you need special skills to be a foster carer?
Will I get training?
What support will I receive?
How long is the assessment procedure - what is involved?
Will there be contact with the child's family?
Are all foster children challenging or difficult?
Does fostering lead to adoption?
Who can't be a foster carer?
How do I apply?
1. Am I too young/old to foster?
The minimum age limit is 21 to foster a child. There is no upper age limit but you do need to be fit and healthy enough to cope with the responsibilities and pressures of fostering. (see the Can I Foster section for more information).
2. Do I have to be married to foster?
No – we consider all applicants equally regardless of whether they are single, married, an unmarried couple, heterosexual, gay or lesbian. (See the Can I Foster section for more information).
3. Do I need to own my own home?
No – but your home does need to have enough room for the foster child/children, including in most cases their own room and needs to offer a safe and secure environment. (See the Can I Foster section for more information).
4. Can I Foster if I work full time?
You may still be able to foster but your working hours may restrict the age of the child and the type of fostering you can do.
5. I smoke – will this stop me being able to foster?
Smoking does not stop you becoming a foster carer but would restrict the age of children you were able to foster. We would also need to consider how to minimise health risks to the foster children in your home. (See the Can I Foster section for more information)
6. Can I foster if I have a disability or health problem?
Please contact us to discuss your own circumstances at an early stage. What we need to consider with you is whether your condition would put you or a child at any risk if you undertake the demanding tasks of fostering. We request a medical report on all applicants and will seek advice on the possible effects of your health problem or disability. (See the Can I Foster section for more information)
7. Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?
People with criminal convictions or cautions can foster, much depends on the seriousness of the offence, how long ago it was, and how you have lived your life since. If you have a conviction for violence or sexual offences against children, you will not be able to foster. (See the Can I Foster section for more information)
8. Will I get paid for being a foster carer?
We pay foster carers a weekly allowance to cover living costs for the foster child. We recognise that foster carers skills increase and improve and so offer additional skills allowances to reward this.
9. How old are foster children?
Foster children vary in age from babies to teenagers and in some long-term placements up to 21 years old.
10. How long will foster children stay with me?
This will depend upon the type of fostering you are able/wish to offer. Length of stay in foster care depends on the child’s needs - they may need to stay with a foster carer for a few hours, days, weeks, months or years. The overriding concern is what is best for the child.
11. Do you need special skills to be a foster carer?
Primarily you need to have a genuine interest in helping children and their families, energy and enthusiasm to offer a child a home and a loving nature to provide stability. A sense of humour is often essential! Some more vulnerable children will require care from a foster carer with enhanced skills. We will always match the child with the most suitable carer.
12. Will I get training?
Before you can be approved as a foster carer you will need to attend a detailed preparation course which gives you information on what fostering involves and allows you to speak to foster carers about their experiences. We provide foster carers with ongoing training.
13. What support will I receive?
Each foster carer has their own Support Worker to offer support and advice. We also host regular support group meetings for foster carers and 24-hour assistance is available if needed. See our General Support and Personal Support Pages for more information.
14. How long is the assessment procedure – what is involved?
Becoming a foster carer is a major decision to make. The assessment procedure is designed to allow you plenty of time to consider entering fostering. You will have several meetings with social workers to assess your suitability to foster and the type of children who you would be best suited to care for. You will also attend a detailed preparation course where you can speak to other foster carers. Legal and medical checks will also be carried out. The process can take several months – but by the end of it you will know what to expect - and the rewards of taking care of a child will be well worth the wait. (Visit the Process to Becoming a Carer page for more information)
15. Will there be contact with the child’s real family?
Many of the children in foster care will continue to have regular contact with their own families, who remain an essential part of their lives. Foster carers need to be able to positively support this.
16. Are all foster children challenging or difficult?
No, but every fostered child is facing a crisis in their life and this is obviously upsetting for them. They have had to cope with moving out of their own home. This may mean that they need sensitive care.
Each child will react differently to this stress and loss. Some may be aggressive and noisy, others over polite and willing to please. Some withdraw, while others seem unaffected.
17. Does fostering lead to adoption?
Sometimes foster care can lead to adoption although it is primarily meant to provide temporary care to children.
The child's needs are very carefully considered which can mean that another family may adopt the child, and not those people who have provided the child with long-term Foster care.
Although some foster carers do go on to adopt the child, this is never an automatic outcome. Fostering is not a quick route to adoption. If adoption is what you want apply as an adopter from the beginning.
18. Who can’t be a foster Carer?
People less than 21 years old, people with convictions against children, people with no spare space in their home. People with some medical conditions (If you are unsure about whether a medical condition you have could stop you fostering please contact us to discuss this). Please see the Can I Foster page for more information.
19. How do I apply?
Contact our team on 0114 273 5075, or use the online contact form to arrange a time for us to call you back.
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