Frequently Asked Questions
If you've got a fostering query, or you need more information about fostering, we've complied this list of frequently asked fostering questions to help you out. Please contact the team at Fostering People by calling 0800 077 8159 if you have any further queries you can't find out the answer to on this website or if would like some extra information about foster care.
About you
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Who can apply to become a foster carer?
Anyone can apply to become a foster carer, but at Fostering People we're looking for some particular qualities in our foster carers. First of all, there's one or two things that could count you out – if you don’t have a spare room, you’ve committed some serious offences in the past or you’re in a new relationship. If you're fine with these and you think you’d enjoy living and working with children then get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. We really need a variety of foster carers to reflect our diverse society, so whether you’re single, in a relationship, whatever your background or orientation don’t think that will put us off – if you’re right for fostering wed love to hear from you.
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Do I need to have any previous experience in working with children?
It’s helpful to have previous experience but not essential – you might have brought up your own children or worked with people with disabilities or the elderly. Essentially, if you haven’t any experience with children you need to think about why you think you will be a good foster carer and what experience you have which could help to convince us.
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Do I need to be under/over a certain age to be a foster carer?
We think you need some life experience before you can foster rather than having any hard and fast rule about ages. Having said that it’s unusual for us to recruit anyone under 21. We’ve worked with some highly skilled foster carers of all ages - fostering is not about your age, it's all about playing to your strengths. Whilst it would be unusual for us to recruit any carers in their 70’s we can think of a fair few carers in their 60’s that have provided great placements to children. That’s the beauty of fostering – if you like working with children and want to work with people who foster Fostering People is just for you.
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Do I need to have any special qualifications to foster?
No, none are necessary. We provide ongoing training after you’re approved and this can include a formal qualification, but you don’t need anything before you start.
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Would previous convictions prevent me from fostering?
Not necessarily so but you need to be honest with us about any convictions you have from the start and we’ll tell you if they count you out. If you have any convictions for offences against children you won't be able to foster.
Children you foster
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Can I choose the age range or sex I would prefer to foster?
Yes you can. We work with you to work out what child or children will best fit in with your family and sometimes that’s about the age and sex of a child you feel confident with. These are some of the things that make a good match. Often our foster carers grow in confidence as we work together and find themselves caring superbly for children they might originally never have thought they could look after. The great thing about fostering though is that you get the final say before any child joins your family.
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Can I choose the ethnicity of the child or young person I foster?
Looking after a child from a different ethnicity to yourself can be a challenge to the most experienced foster carer, and we wouldn’t place a child with a different background to you unless you and we felt confident you can look after them. We have some great examples of where it's worked so we’ll work out with you if it’ll be right for you. Read Angela's story to see an example of a Sanctuary Seeking Placement with a Fostering People foster carer.
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How much will I know about the child or young person before they are placed with me?
We believe it's essential for foster carers to be provided with as much information as possible about a child prior to placement. In short, whatever we know you know too. But let's be honest, we wont know everything – after all neither you or us will have lived with the child before. So as well as finding out everything we can before you meet them we'll also train you so you know how to keep everyone safe and how to fill in the gaps to help your child as well.
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Can I choose how long I wish a child or young person to stay with me?
There are many types of fostering - short term, long term, respite, emergency to name but a few. And some carers are better at some than others – we’ll decide with you what’s right for you.
General fostering questions
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Do I get any breaks or holidays when I foster a child or young person?
Fostering can be demanding and sometimes our foster carers need a break. At other times our foster carers think that taking a break could be the worst thing possible for the child they are looking after. Either way, Fostering People want to help – planning a break for you or providing extra resources for your holiday.
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Will I receive any specialist training before/when I begin fostering?
Here at Fostering People we believe that you’re never too old or experienced for foster carer training – that’s why all of our staff and foster carers attend different courses. Before you start fostering, you’ll attend our preparation course designed to do just that – prepare you and your family for fostering. Once you’re approved as a carer we have a robust training programme comprising of mainly one day sessions that build on your preparation training and there is a minimum number of sessions you must attend as the main carer.
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Can I still go out to work if I become a foster carer?
Fostering is usually a full time job for at least one foster carer - we know that this helps children and young people feel safe and helps you be available for meetings, training and in the holidays. So if you're applying as a couple we prefer one person to be at home full time. There are some exceptions – perhaps for carers who just provide respite or short breaks for children with disabilities.
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How much fee/allowance will I receive and what does the fostering fee/allowance cover?
The weekly charge covers the child’s maintenance, clothing, pocket money, leisure activities, 120 miles per week ordinary travel, birthday/festival expenses, usual school expenditure including day visits, family holidays. It also includes payment in recognition of the skills and time you bring to the fostering task. The weekly charge does not cover initial clothing provision and new school uniform (where these are inadequate) residential trips with school, extra-ordinary mileage/fares incurred on behalf of the child; extensive contact arrangements or supervision; provision of education, medical, therapeutic, optical or dental treatments. Agreement will be sought from the placing authority prior to expenditure on any of the above items. The amount varies depending on the age of the child you are caring for and we can tell you more about these fees when you contact us.
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Will I be taxed on my fostering income?
Foster carers are in a unique and often favorable position in relation to tax. The caring for children in a family unit by Foster Carers is treated as a business by H M Revenue & Customs. As such you are treated as a self-employed person and dependent upon your income you may be liable to pay some Tax and National Insurance.
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What do I have to do to register my interest into becoming a foster carer?
We would be delighted to hear from you. You have two alternative ways of contacting us. Either call us on 0800 077 8159 or if you're enquiring outside of standard office opening hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) or you would prefer to enquire online, please complete our enquire online form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to speaking with you.
