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Who Can Be A Foster Carer?
Who Can Be A Foster Carer?
- Carers can be single, married, gay or lesbian.
- They can be of any ethnic background and of any age.
- They do not have to be parents.
- Carers may have a disability, as long as this does not prevent them from carrying out the caring tasks required.
Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you cannot foster. However, you will need to let us know the details straight away so that we can check on your circumstances. If you have any convictions against children or for violent offences you will not be allowed to foster.
All applicants must agree to a full criminal records check and these checks are repeated regularly on all existing foster carers.
Foster Carers do need to have a spare room. Babies may be able to share with a carer and sometimes a foster carer’s own children may be able to share with a ‘looked after’ child but generally it is best for everyone if the fostered child can have their own space and privacy.
Personal Qualities
The kind of person you are is the most important thing about becoming a foster carer. Here are a few examples of qualities you could look for in yourself. The more you have to begin with, the easier you may find fostering.
- You like children and enjoy their company.
- You understand that it may take time for a child to respond to you.
- You could accept and deal with an angry or distressed child.
- You have a strong marriage/partnership or have family or close friends who support you.
- You can accept that your house may become messy.
- You have sense of humour.
- You recognise that looking after someone else’s child would be different to looking after your own.
- You can accept that a child may have different opinions and disagree with you.
- You do not expect children to appear grateful or to show their thanks.
- You can be non-judgmental about a child’s family background.