Care is not the same everywhere. Foster with us and receive a local support network, 24/7 guidance, professional training and a rewarding career. We pride ourselves in being a supportive agency, as we know this is a paramount resource for our foster carers and their families.
With thousands of children needing loving foster homes we are active in seeking new fostering households. When you are an approved foster carer with The Foster Care Agency you become a central part of our team working towards the best outcomes for children in our care.
Let’s bust some myths…
Here are some questions we regularly hear…
Your Questions:
I am in a same sex relationship, can I foster?
Absolutely! We welcome applications from those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT). In fact, diversity is a crucial element of fostering. Households that foster need to reflect the communities our children and young people live in.
I am over 55 can I still foster?
There is no specific upper age limit to fostering. When you apply to become a foster carer with us we look at your individual circumstances including your health, experience and lifestyle. Life experience can be extremely valuable in fostering and we would encourage people of a variety of ages and backgrounds to apply.
I have a criminal conviction. Will that exclude me from becoming a foster carer?
It will depend on the nature of your conviction. We would encourage you to be open with us regarding this early in the process. Your enquiry will be discussed in complete confidence.
newborn baby feet on female hands
I live in a rented flat. Can I still foster?
We have carers who live in houses and flats of varying sizes. Some are privately owned, some are rented privately, some are rented through the council or are housing association. The key requirement is that each foster child has their own bedroom and that your home is safe and welcoming. A secure tenancy is crucial and during the assessment we will ask for a reference from either your landlord or mortgage provider.
Can children share a bedroom?
Your own children cannot share a bedroom with your foster child. However, in some cases same gender siblings can share a bedroom and opposite gender siblings may be able to share a room if they are under 6 years old.
Can I work and foster?
As the main carer you will need to be available to meet the needs of the child or young person in your care. This can include school runs, meetings, contact with birth parents and training. Any work that you do will need to be flexible or part-time and can fit around fostering.
Can we take the children on holiday with us?
The Foster Care Agency encourages foster carers to make every child or young person in
their care to feel part of their family and this will include taking them on holiday. In all situations permission from the child or young person’s social worker and Local Authority is required.
Can I foster if I have young children?
Yes. It is important that the needs of all children, both your own and fostered are met, there is a rigorous process before welcoming a child into the family and birth children are key to this.
Can I foster if I am single?
You can foster whether you are single, married, co-habiting or divorced, and this applies to both males and females. Each foster carer brings their own unique history, experiences, abilities and knowledge and uses them to help children and their families. Being single should not prevent anyone from applying who believes they have the time to make a difference to a child in foster care.
Contact us today to get some more information.
Call: 0808 1788 909 or 01273 463100
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Established in 2001, The Foster Care Agency has looked after children and young people from a diverse range of backgrounds. We offer the very best care to children by recruiting, training and supervising skilled foster carers to work as part of our friendly dynamic team.
