Who can foster

​Who can foster

• single
• married
• in a civil partnership
• living with a partner
• heterosexual
• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual
• transgender
• parents
• homeowner
• renting

We're looking for people who:

• are aged 21 and over, there is no upper age limit
• have a stable home life
• are flexible with their time
• are good listeners
• are able to provide guidance and reassurance
• are able to work as part of a team
• are in good health and able to foster for the foreseeable future
• are financially secure
• have a suitable home
• have friends and family who can support them

Skills you need to become a foster carer

You'll receive training before being approved to foster. This training gives you the tools, skills and experience to help meet the needs of any child in your care. As well as providing day-to-day care, you'll need to:

• support the child's educational, health and social wellbeing keep records
• attend meetings and work with the wider team
• commit time and energy to be there for children in your care
• manage challenging behaviour
• promote contact with birth family members
• advocate on behalf of the child
• have patience, resilience and confidence to deal with situations that don't go plan
• be someone they can trust and talk to
• encourage them to take pride in their achievements
• be observant and recognise when you need to step in or get help to deal with a situation
• reflect on your actions, learn from your experiences and develop your skills