Requirements to Foster
Guide to Fostering Children - Part Two
Are you unsure about the requirements to foster? Maybe you’re concerned that you won’t fit the bill as a foster carer, or you think that some area of your background might exclude you.
Well here’s the thing: if you’re keen to foster children, there aren’t many obstacles. Children need foster families from all walks of life. The factors you think might exclude you, probably won’t. Most people’s concerns about whether they will meet the requirements are wide of the mark.
Essential Criteria You Must Meet
There are hundreds of foster care agencies and small differences in the criteria they use. These are the critical requirements that all fostering agencies expect you to meet:
Your Age
You must be 18 years of age or over, but most fostering services have a minimum age policy. 21 is probably the most common minimum age. It might surprise you, but there isn’t an upper age limit.
DBS Checks
You will have to undergo DBS checks (previously CRB checks). Not all past criminal convictions will bar you from being a foster carer. But, if you’ve got a criminal conviction for a serious sexual or violent offence against a child, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to foster.
Having Enough Space
You need to have a spare bedroom that provides adequate space for each foster child you look after. There are some exceptions to this. For example, young babies can share their carer’s bedroom. Likewise, some siblings are allowed to share a bedroom if it is deemed appropriate.
Your Health
Illness or disability won’t necessarily exclude you from fostering children. But you do need to be deemed healthy enough to meet all the needs of a child placed with you.
Available Time
You must have the time necessary to provide suitable care. For couples, this can mean arranging hours of work so that one carer can be on hand at any given time. And for single foster carers, it means being available full-time or having flexible employment.
Smoking
Due to the health risks of passive smoking, you wont be able to foster young children if you’re a smoker. Each fostering agency will have a policy regarding this.
The aim of foster care has always been to deliver therapeutic care to children who can’t live with their parents. But the fostering landscape has definitely changed in recent decades. Here are three fundamental ways it has changed.
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Other Fostering Requirements
Here are some more requirements that you might come across, according to who you foster children with:
- Being able to drive and having access to a car
- Living within a certain distance of the fostering agency
- Previous employment or experience in children’s services
- Evidence of parenting skills (with your children or others)
A fostering agency will take your circumstances and background into account. But it’s the quality of care and support you can offer that’s likely to be more critical. They will consider your capacity to look after children safely and responsibly.
Your Experience
Your personal experience of life, (both good and bad!) has helped to form the person you are. It’s helped to shape the way you meet challenges, form relationships and respond to different circumstances. This kind of experience is valuable and unique to you.
Your Qualifications
You don’t need specific qualifications to be a foster carer. And your educational background won’t matter. But, it can be an advantage to have qualifications related to care work or working with children.
Qualities
Within the role of fostering children, there is room for individuality and creativity. Qualities such as; integrity, discipline, generosity, enthusiasm, and self-awareness will serve you well as a foster carer.
Summary
If you meet the essential requirements above, you’re likely eligible to foster a child. Don’t focus too much on the skills you’ll need to foster; most agencies provide excellent pre-approval training. You’ll also receive plenty of support and training opportunities once you’re approved.
Requirements to Foster is 2nd part of our 7-part Guide to Fostering Children. Part 3 looks at How to Become a Foster Carer.
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