Fostering is where you look after a child or children temporarily in your own home. You can choose to foster full-time or part-time, from day care to a weekend, a few months or even permanently.
Fostering is fun, fulfilling and hugely rewarding. It can also be exhausting and frustrating. But most foster carers say it is the most satisfying and worthwhile job they’ve ever done.
Fostering Wrap - Feb 2010.pdf (4 pages, 793kb)
Who can become a foster carer?
Anyone can apply to become a foster carer, whatever their age or situation. People who foster are as varied as the children they look after, and we need all types of foster carers for all ages of children.
You can be living on your own or as a couple, married or unmarried, divorced or widowed. You can be living with or without your own children. You can be working full or part-time, or unemployed. You can be from any race or ethnic origin.
What is most important is your attitude and outlook on life, and qualities such as patience, tolerance and understanding. A sense of humour also helps.
What help do foster carers receive?
Once you have decided to become a foster carer, we will give you all the training and guidance you need to do the job properly.
You will attend a short training course and be assigned your own fostering officer who you can call on for help and advice. You’ll be given a financial allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child, plus an additional payment in some circumstances.
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in further training and gain recognised qualifications. You can join your local foster care support groups where you can meet other foster carers. As a foster carer you will join a whole network of people working on behalf of children and families. You won’t be coping on your own.
Could I do it?
Why not find out? You don’t have to be anything other than yourself to be a foster carer. You don’t have to come from any particular background or need any academic qualifications. As long as you are genuinely interested in children and are able to make them feel comfortable, safe and cared for during the time they stay with you, you could be a foster carer.
Most people who foster are just ordinary people, even though they are doing an extraordinary, much needed job. See the links below for more information on foster care:
Click here to register your interest in fostering.