Could You Foster a Child

5 Critical Things to Consider

Will You ‘Fit the Bill’ as a Foster Carer?

Fostering children could be one of the most rewarding things you do. But could YOU foster? Let’s face it, there are a lot of things to weigh up before you decide whether it’s something you could do.

If you’re considering the idea of fostering you’ve probably asked yourself some soul-searching questions. It’s hardly surprising either. Like everyone else who’s attracted to foster caring, you will question your own beliefs about what it involves and whether you’ll ‘fit the bill’ as a foster carer.

The fostering agency or local authority you choose will be keen to understand what your main motivation is, but there are no clear cut rights or wrongs. So, what sort of things do you need to consider before you make a firm enquiry?

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Common Concerns

Considering these common concerns at an early stage will help you identify important questions to ask if and when you decide to apply to become a foster carer.

Fostering Requirements

Will You Meet the Requirements to Foster?

Of course, you will want to consider the fostering requirements because unless you meet them, you won’t be able to foster. The good news is, most of the things you think might exclude you probably won’t!

You might think that some aspect of your past, (or present) lifestyle will rule you out, or perhaps you’ve got a fear of being rejected. In reality, fostering service providers are likely to welcome your application with open arms.

They need real people with real-life experiences.

Still sceptical? This short ‘Could You Foster quiz’ will give you a good idea of whether you’re likely to meet the requirements. Then you’ll be in a better position to decide whether to move your interest forward.

Your Expectations

Will the Role Match Your Expectations?

Now you understand the criteria more thoroughly, and believe you meet them what will it be like fostering a child? Will it be what you expect? Actually doing it is the only way to find out if it lives up to your expectations. However, learning more about what being a foster carer involves will help you to make an informed decision about whether to give it a go.

If you want more information about fostering children, you’ll find plenty of articles available on this site and others. Talk to people you know and trust, especially if they foster children. Seek their opinion and get their advice, because there’s nothing like ‘hearing it from the horse’s mouth’.

Better still, become a part of the CAREHUB fostering community where you’ll enjoy access to a powerful collection of information, training, and networking resources.

Your Skills

Have You Got the Skills to Foster?

Most people who think about becoming a foster carer have moments of self-doubt before making a firm enquiry. But here’s the thing: all that has gone into making you ‘you’ can have a positive influence on your approach to fostering.

Something to bear in mind as you go forward with your interest is that you bring with you a unique perspective on life (with all its ups and downs). You don’t need to have any expert knowledge or specialist skills.

If you talk to any experienced foster carer, they will tell you that the sort of things you need the most are a caring nature, resilience, optimism, and a willingness to learn how to deliver high-quality care to your foster children.

Better still, become a part of the CAREHUB fostering community where you’ll enjoy access to a powerful collection of information, training, and networking resources.

Your Circumstances

Will Being a Foster Carer Fit in with Your Circumstances?

There’s no doubt that fostering a child will have a big impact on you, your family and your everyday life. Foster caring can use all the personal qualities you possess. But it will have a huge and beneficial impact on the child you care for. Of course, you wouldn’t expect it to be easy – it isn’t!

There will be times when everything runs smoothly and you get a deep sense of satisfaction because of the progress your foster child is making. There will also be times when you face challenges that almost drive you to despair.

As with any new job, you will need to think about how the role will fit in with your circumstances (and lifestyle). These are some of the areas you might want to consider:

Health

will your current state of health allow you to deliver a good standard of care to your foster child?

Finance

Is fostering a child going to be financially viable for you?

Home

Have you got a spare bedroom and has your house/flat generally got enough space?

Safety

Can you provide your foster child with an environment where they will be safe?

Family

How will any family members who live with you feel about you becoming a foster carer?

Work

How will your job, your partner’s job, or both, fit alongside fostering children?

The Challenges

How Will You Handle the Challenges Ahead?

The process of becoming a foster carer in itself could seem like a bit of a challenge. If you go ahead, there will be more challenges on the way, as with any worthwhile job.

You will be supported and guided through the process by your fostering agency. And you will be trained in the necessary skills you need to foster. Each time you overcome a challenge, it will lift you up, and make it easier for you to overcome new ones.