Fostering and your lifestyle

What you need to become a foster carer

All applicants will need to take an enhanced DBS check as part of the application process.

If you have a previous conviction, your application will still be considered dependent on the conviction.

If you have had previous involvement with Social Services, your circumstance will need to be discussed with our Fostering Recruitment team.

All applicants will need to take a medical check as part of the application process.

You'll need to be fit enough to safely care for the children and yourself.

A foster carer can privately rent, live in a Council or housing association residence, or own their own home.

You will need a spare room for a child above the age of 3 years old.

Siblings can share a room whilst is it age appropriate.

You can work but you will need to have the flexibility and availability to meet the needs of the child.

You should be available at short notice to deal with any emergencies that may arise.

You will also need time to work with the professional network for the child.

You can still become a foster carer, but you will need indefinite leave to remain (permanent residency) in the UK.

It is better if you have some experience working or caring for children, but we offer an extensive training program to support all our foster carers.

We welcome LGBTQ+ foster carers.

Your sexuality or gender identity is not a barrier to being able to foster with us.

You can also be a foster carer if you are single, married, divorced or cohabiting.

Our main interest is the care and support you can provide to a child.

If your religion is important to you, you can still practice and become a foster carer.

We would ask you to keep an open mind and be respectful of other religions.

The religious beliefs of children and young people in your care may be different to your own.

Being a child within a fostering family can be quite tough but it can also have many rewards.

Some may find it difficult to share their parents and belongings, others can find it difficult to say goodbye when the child moves away.

The Skills to Foster course and the Form F assessment will explore these situations with you and your family.