Adoption means taking a child into your home permanently and legally as part of your family. Fostering usually means offering a temporary home to children until they either return to the family home or move on to live with a relative, adopter or permanent foster carer.

There are many similarities between adoption and permanent fostering. In both cases you will look after a child as if he or she is your own son or daughter. The differences are mainly to do with the legal status of the child.

Is my house or flat suitable?

The most important ingredient in fostering is YOU. So long as your home is welcoming and safe, children won’t care how big it is or whether you own it or rent it. It is best for children to have their own room. But younger children of the same age and sex can share. Babies can stay in your room.

Am I too old?

Foster carers are usually aged from 25 to their 60s. Some of our best carers didn’t start fostering till they were in their 50s.

Am I too overweight?

There is no weight limit. If your doctor thinks you’re fit enough to foster – so do we - we pay for all applicants to have a check-up with their own doctor.

Can I foster if I smoke?

If anyone in your house smokes this will prevent you fostering children under 5 years. For children older than this, you must agree to smoke well away from them.

Can I foster if I’m not married?

Many carers are single people or unmarried couples. Some have their own children – some don’t.

Can I foster if I’m lesbian or gay?

We welcome lesbian and gay applicants. Several lesbian and gay single people and couples already foster.

Can I foster if I have a criminal record?

Minor offences committed in the past needn't prevent you fostering. Cautions or convictions for serious offences like violence or offences against against children will prevent you fostering. Talk to us in confidence if you have concerns about this.

Do I have all the abilities needed?

Our preparation course equips you with most of the skills you need to start with and you can continue to receive training and support throughout the time you foster.

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Will I be told everything about a child who comes to stay with me?

You will not be asked to look after a child without first being given all available information about that child's history and behaviour. You will have every opportunity to discuss any doubts you have with your fostering social worker and with the child's social worker. The final decision whether or not to look after any child lies with you.

Will I meet the child’s parents or other family members?

Most children benefit from contact with their parents or other family members. Sometimes carers allow family visits by appointment to the foster home. Or they may go with the child to meet their family elsewhere.

Support and training prepares you for this. Often a child’s social worker will supervise meetings without the carer needing to be present. Contact also takes place by phone or letter.

What’s the difference between a carer’s responsibilities and a parent’s?

A foster carer has no legal rights over a child in her/his care, but has responsibility for the day to day care of the child. Parents will usually keep full parental responsibility.

Can I cope emotionally?

You will learn to cope as you go on. There will be times when you will be upset – perhaps when a child moves on. Your supervising social worker and other foster carers will help to support you. But remember there will be plenty of times when fostering is fun and personally rewarding.

Will I be able to let a child go at the end of a placement?

Unless you opt for permanent fostering, you will have to let a child go. In exceptional cases a child may live with short-term carers for several years - but the aim is always to secure a permanent home for a child.

Can I meet the child's cultural needs?

Every attempt is made to match the racial, language, cultural, dietary and religious needs of a child with a suitable carer. When this isn’t possible you may be asked to foster a child from a different background to your own.

Can I afford to look after another child?

You will receive a weekly payment for each child in your care.

This varies according to the age of the child or young person in your care and is intended to cover the costs of food and clothing, household items, personal care, pocket money and travel costs. It is upgraded annually.

These payments do not usually affect any benefits you receive or tax you pay. On top of these payments you can receive extra payments through our Accreditation Scheme – these payments reflect your experience and any extra training you have completed.

Extra payments are made on the child's birthday and at Christmas (or other religious festival) as well as two week's holiday payment. Extra items you may need such as bedding, etc. are provided.

What effect will fostering have on my own family?

It is important that you talk to children living with you about how they feel about fostering. Fostering will affect them as much as it will affect you.

Ask them how they might feel about sharing you and your time with other children. Ask how they might feel about sharing space in the house and possibly toys as well.

Contact us for information to help you to explain fostering to young children.

Will the child continue to go to their own school or attend a school within my community?

Children placed long-term may transfer to a school within your community. Children placed short-term may continue going to their regular school with their friends. The child’s individual circumstances will be taken into account when deciding what schooling is best for them.

What happens if the child does not get along with my family?

Your supervising social worker will help you look at all possible solutions. If necessary, a child may have to be found a more suitable placement for their needs.

Can a foster child come along on holiday with us?

Yes. Children are encouraged to experience as many things as possible and to participate in everyday family routines. Expenses are available towards children’s holidays.

If it is not possible for children to come on holiday with you, respite can be arranged with another carer.

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Find out more by by ringing 0116 299 5800 or send us an online enquiry form.

Or you can download an application form here and post it back to us Fostering Application Form (PDF File)

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