Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have.
Why foster?
Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have.
Every year thousands of children need to be looked after by foster carers because their families are not able to take care of them for a variety of reasons. The best place for a child who cannot live with their own family is to be placed with another family who can give them attention, support and lots of time to listen.
Children and young people benefit so much from talking and this helps them to make sense of what’s happened to them and helps them to think positively about their future.
Who can be a foster carer?
We welcome people from all backgrounds, communities and circumstances. You could be single, married or divorced with young or grown children or none at all. We accept applicants regardless of employment status.
You’ll need a good sized spare room for each child you intend to foster. We expect evidence of parenting skills and one person based at home if you’re intending to do full time foster care.
We look for those who engage in lifelong learning and are open to challenge.
What does it take to foster?
The journey to becoming a foster carer isn’t complicated and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Once you’ve registered an interest we’ll arrange an initial first visit, to learn about you and answer your questions and see the suitability of your living space.
If we agree with you to move forward you’ll go onto a training course (usually 12 hours spread over a weekend but it can be flexible), from there it’s on to the approvals process. This takes around four months and includes background checks all leading to the Foster Care Panel who’ll make the final decision.
