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Could you foster?
You might be more suited to fostering than you think
Foster carers come from every walk of life. It's not who you are on paper. It's what you can offer a child.
Who can foster
If this sounds like you, get in touch
- You are 21 or over
- You have a spare bedroom
- You live in the East or West Midlands, or nearby
- You have the right to live in the UK
- You can offer time, patience and a listening ear
- You are single, married, partnered, or divorced
- You rent your home or own it
- You are LGBTQ+, of any faith or none, of any ethnicity
- You work, or you do not
Not sure something rules you out? Ask us. Age, health, a past mistake, the size of your home: none of these automatically stops you fostering.
What it takes
The qualities that matter most
Patience
Children who have had a difficult start need time to trust.
Resilience
Some days are hard. You will bounce back, with support.
Warmth
A kind word and a hot meal go a very long way.
Reliability
Being there, consistently, is what children remember.
The path to approval
Six steps. Three to five months.
With support at every one.
- 1
Day one
Get in touch
Ring us, fill in the form or ask for a call back. A friendly member of our team will talk it through. No pressure.
- 2
Within a couple of weeks
A chat and a home visit
A social worker visits to meet you and your household, explain what's involved and see whether fostering fits you and us.
- 3
From week two
Application and checks
You complete an application. We run the checks every agency must: enhanced DBS, health, employment and personal references.
- 4
Around three to five months
Training and assessment
Preparation training, plus an assessing social worker who gets to know you. Thorough, and a chance to decide if fostering is right for you.
- 5
At the end of the assessment
Fostering panel
An independent panel reviews your assessment and recommends whether you should be approved. You're invited to attend. It's welcoming, not a test.
- 6
After approval
Approval and your first placement
Once approved, we look carefully for a child who matches your skills and your home. Your supervising social worker and our out-of-hours support are with you throughout.
Questions
Common questions
Who can become a foster carer?
Single people, couples, renters and homeowners can all foster. You must be at least 21, have a spare bedroom, have the right to live in the UK, and have time and patience to give. Your age, gender, race, religion, sexuality and marital status do not rule you out.
Do I need to own my home?
No. Many foster carers rent. What matters is that your home is safe and stable and that the child has their own bedroom.
Do I need experience with children?
Experience helps, but it is not essential. Training and support are built into the process, and many carers find that life experience matters just as much.
Can I foster if I work?
Often yes, depending on the type of fostering and the child's needs. Some carers foster full time, while others foster part time, offer short breaks, or work flexibly. Talk to us about your situation.
Can I foster if I have children of my own?
Yes. Your own children are part of your fostering family and we will include them in the assessment and preparation. We have guidance for helping them adjust.
Can I foster if I have a criminal record or a health condition?
It depends on the details. Some convictions rule you out, and many things do not. Having a health condition does not stop you fostering as long as you can meet a child's needs. Be honest with us early and we will explain how it works.
Make room for a child who needs you.
Enquiring costs nothing. There's no obligation. Just a friendly chat about whether fostering could be right for you.
Prefer to talk? Call us on 0333 188 6786