Single? Married? Retired? Employed?
Come and take our quick and simple Quiz and find out if you are eligible to foster, and provide a loving home for a child or young person that really needs it.
The essential requirements to foster
What you'll needThere is no such thing as ‘the ideal’ foster carer, however understanding the essential requirements is crucial when talking about who can foster, so let’s break it down.
The genuine desire to make a real difference to a child or young person
Above all, you need the genuine desire to make a real difference to a child or young person. If this is what you’re passionate about, you’re already on the right path.
To be at least 21 years old
While there is no upper age limit, you do need to be at least 21 years old to become a foster carer. Your age should never deter you from fostering if you have the desire to make a difference to a child or young person’s life.
To have a spare room
It’s important you have a spare room that can be a bedroom for a child or young person. This room provides them with a private space in your home, allowing them the personal privacy and comfortable space they need.
The permanent right to work and live in the UK
To ensure the stability of the care for a child or young person, regardless of the type of fostering you do, you must have the permanent right to work and live in the UK. This is essential to ensure foster carers are in a stable position to provide the care and support required.
Common myths about who can foster
Fostering truthsSome common fostering myths and misunderstandings about the fostering process we encounter regularly.
Do I need to be married to foster?
One of the most common myths about fostering is that only married couples can become foster carers, which simply isn’t true. Fostering is open to single people, unmarried couples, and people in civil partnerships. Your sexuality or marital status will never impact your eligibility to become a foster carer.
Do i need to have my own children first?
Some people think that you need to have your own children, whether that be biological or not, before you can foster. While experience with children in a professional or personal environment is beneficial, it is definitely not necessary to have your own children to become a foster carer. Even if you do have your own children, you don’t have to wait until they have moved out of home to make a difference to another child. Lots of our carers foster alongside having their own children and there are lots of wonderful experiences we can shout about!
Can i foster if i have a job?
Fostering isn’t just for people who are unemployed, retired, or doing it as a full-time career – fostering can be done alongside your job, provided you have the time to manage work commitments alongside fostering responsibilities, which will depend on the type of fostering you look to do. Many foster carers work part-time or have flexible jobs that allow them to balance both roles.Do I need to own my home to foster?
You don’t need to own your home to foster. Whether you live in a privately rented or council-rented property, a house, or a flat, you can foster. Regardless of your home, we will carry out the standard safety checks to ensure that the environment is safe and stable for a child or young person in your care.
