Could you Foster

Foster carers come from all walks of life, we have carers from all social classes, from various religions, ethnic groups and of various ages - from couples in their 20s to their 60s and above. Each foster carer is unique and there is no set "type".

Meeting people interested in fostering, they frequently say that they had no idea they would be accepted as foster carers because of the myths around what sort of person you have to be. Some of these myths are outlined below

Do I have to own my own home?

You don't have to own your own home and as long as you have a stable tenure on your home, and you inform the landlord, it is quite acceptable for you to live in rental accommodation. Many of our foster carers start out as tenants and aspire to buy their own home through their new career. Foster carers are paid a professional salary element as well as a maintenance payment to care for a child, and for some people this enables them to improve their own standard of living.

Do I have to be married?

You do not have to be married to foster, or even to necessarily be in a relationship. We have several single foster carers. Fostering is a demanding job and working as a team is helpful and offers mutual support. However as long as you have the right levels of practical and emotional support close by, (friends and family) you can foster successfully as a single person. This agency has many single foster carers and also couples who are not married but in stable long term relationships. This includes same sex couples.

Am I too young to foster?

Foster carers do best when they have a bit of life experience and raising children is helpful. However we have carers in their twenties who may have relevant work experience and / or have been part of a fostering family growing up and they make brilliant foster carers. Not all foster carers have had their own children, sometimes it is easier not to have the comparison with your own children and childless couples make excellent foster carers.

Am I too old to foster?

Every applicant undergoes a medical check before becoming a foster carer and this is the basis for a decision on whether someone is fit to foster. We do have carers in their late sixties, who started with us at a younger age and seem to have the energy to go on. There is no set age limit for fostering if you have the right qualities and are ft and healthy.