Could I foster?
You don’t need a perfect home or a particular life story. You do need time, patience and a willingness to understand a child’s world.
Good to know
Your family, your work, your home. We’ll talk through how fostering could fit around them.
See what happens nextThe things that matter
A safe, stable place to live and, for most fostering, a bedroom a child can make their own.
Room in your day for the school run, conversations, appointments and the unexpected moments.
Patience, openness and the ability to work with the people involved in a child’s care.
Let’s clear a few things up
For most fostering, a child needs a bedroom of their own. Arrangements for a baby can be different initially. Tell us about your home and we’ll explain what could work.
Yes. Being single does not rule you out. We’ll talk about the time you can offer, the people you can turn to and how fostering would fit around your everyday life.
It may be possible if your work is flexible enough. A child’s needs come first, including school, appointments and time with their family. We’ll look at the practicalities with you.
Renting is not an automatic barrier. Your home needs to be stable and suitable, and we’ll talk through any permissions needed from your landlord.
Being over 55 does not rule you out. What matters is your ability to meet a child’s needs, including your health, energy and the commitment you can offer.
No. We’ll explore your experience of caring for others and the skills you bring. Preparation and ongoing learning will help you understand the role.
They are part of the conversation too. We’ll consider everyone in your household, including how a child joining the family might affect them. Pets are considered during the home assessment.
Tell us about your circumstances. A condition or disability does not automatically decide the outcome. The assessment looks at your health, support and ability to meet a child’s needs.
A clearer picture
Fostering means caring for a child who cannot live with their birth family at that time. You help them feel safe, keep everyday routines going and support the relationships that matter to them.
You’ll also work with social workers, schools and other professionals. It can be demanding, and some days will be difficult. That is why the support around you matters from the start.
A first chat is a chance to ask about your own circumstances. It does not commit you to an application. If you do go ahead, the assessment ends with an independent fostering panel, and we have explained what happens at fostering panel.
Meet your support network ↗A conversation, at your pace
You don’t need to be ready to apply. A friendly conversation can help you work out your next step.
A first chat takes about 15–20 minutes. No pressure to apply. Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
