Let’s bust some common fostering myths

Some people wonder if they might be prevented from fostering because they are single but being single is not a barrier to becoming a foster carer. As long as you are able to provide a comfortable and nurturing home for children and have a good support network we would love to talk to you about fostering.

If you are over 21 and interested in becoming a foster carer, get in touch with us. Some child care experience is beneficial but this could be from voluntary or paid employment or perhaps through family networks. We offer excellent fostering training and support to help you develop skills to meet children’s needs. Younger carers are often really good at making connections with children and young people.

There is no upper age limit for fostering but you do need to be fit and healthy enough to look after energetic children. Older foster carers can often bring valuable life experiences to the fostering role. Many older carers have also raised their own families and have the patience and understanding to provide a secure and nurturing home for fostered children.

Many of our foster carers have their own children and can draw on their parenting experience to support fostered children. We always make every effort to consider the needs of everyone in the household so that we can carefully match children and support them and their foster families.

People without children of their own can apply to foster and often bring transferable skills from other aspects of their lives. If you have some experience of children, can empathise and are able to provide a happy and nurturing home then get in touch and we’ll talk to you about fostering.

We accept applications from people from all walks of life. You can be gay, straight, single, married, in a civil partnership or co-habiting. Sexuality, gender or relationship status are not barriers to fostering. However, if you are in a relationship and wish to foster together, you will need to have been in a relationship for at least two years.

Fostering is a demanding role and you need to be available to support children and meet their needs. You will also need time to attend meetings, training and supervision sessions. You would therefore need a degree of flexibility in your working role. We would be happy to talk to you about your specific circumstances.

The answer is yes, as long as you have a secure tenancy and have your landlord’s permission. We will conduct a health and safety inspection on all homes to make sure they are safe and suitable for children. It is also necessary for fostered children to have their own bedroom where they can feel secure and have some privacy, so a spare bedroom is a must.

In the majority of cases yes, so long as your pets do not pose a threat to a child’s health or safety. Pets can prove a great ice breaker when children are first placed in your home and it can be a great experience for a child to learn how to care for a pet. In some cases, caring for a pet can even have a therapeutic effect on a child. We will talk to you about your circumstances, so do get in touch.