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Frequently Asked Questions
2. Who can apply to be a foster carer?
3. Would previous convictions prevent someone from fostering?
4. What sort of checks are carried out on me and my home?
5. If I am going to be the main foster carer, do you need to carry out checks on my partner?
6. Can a child I foster share a bedroom with one of my own children?
7. Can I still go out to work and be a foster carer?
8. Can I choose how long I want children and young people to stay with me?
9. Can I choose which age group or sex I would prefer to foster?
10. How much will I know about the child/young person before they are placed with me?
11. Who is responsible for taking the children to school and to the doctor etc?
12. Are we allowed to smack foster children?
13. What sort of help would I get with a child who has special needs or a disability?
14. How much fee/allowance will I receive and how is this decided?
15. What does the fee/allowance cover?
16. Will I be taxed on this income?
17. If I decide to apply, how long will I have to wait before I begin having placements?
Local Authorities / Trusts are ultimately responsible for the wellbeing of all children in public care. They need to find the best way of looking after these children to make sure that they receive the best possible standard of care.
IFAs such as Foster Care Associates provide a fostering service to Local Authorities / Trusts and we work in partnership with them. We have our own foster carers, social workers, therapists and education staff who work hard to ensure that the needs of the carers and children are met to high standards and without delay.
2. Who can apply to be a foster carer?
Anyone can be a good foster carer. FCA has foster carers who are single, married, co-habiting, divorced, gay, lesbian and heterosexual. FCA also has carers from many different religions and a variety of ethnic groups. However, you will need to satisfy certain requirements:
- you must have a spare bedroom
- you must be over the age of 18, however, it is unlikely that we would assess anyone under the age of 25 to be a foster carer unless they could demonstrate relevant skills and experience
3. Would previous convictions prevent someone from fostering?
A previous criminal conviction would not necessarily disqualify you from fostering; it would depend upon the nature of the conviction and when it occurred. It is standard for us to check police records at an early stage in the application process so we would need you to discuss any convictions with us as soon as possible so that we could decide whether or how it might affect your application. This information would remain confidential at all times.
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4. What sort of checks are carried out on me and my home?
As part of the assessment process we carry out a criminal records check, as well as checks with the Local Authority/Trust Social Work Service, the Health Service, the Education Department and a register which lists those prevented from working with children. We would also need to carry out a standard safety check on your home.
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5. If I am going to be the main foster carer, do you need to carry out checks on my partner?
We regard all couples living together as partners in the fostering process so we would require that you both have the necessary checks and training and that both take part in the assessment process. Even if you are the main carer, anyone sharing your home will have some involvement in and influence on the fostering task.
We will also need to carry out checks on all adult members of the household.
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6. Can a child I foster share a bedroom with one of my own children?
Some agencies or Local Authorities / Trusts will allow this, especially for younger children.
At FCA, however, we will only place a child in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom (unless they are a young sibling group).
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7. Can I still go out to work and be a foster carer?
Although some Local Authorities / Trusts and agencies will allow this, at FCA we think that the high quality care, which we consider every one of our children and young people need, can only be achieved by having one carer at home full time. Our carers are part of a professional and dedicated team and we offer them a remuneration and respite package that reflects their commitment.
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8. Can I choose how long I want children and young people to stay with me?
As part of the assessment process, social workers will discuss with you the different types of fostering and help you to decide which types of placement would suit you best. However, you do need to be aware that it isn’t always possible to know at the beginning of a placement exactly when a child will move on.
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9. Can I choose which age group or sex I would prefer to foster?
Yes, you can. However, you need to bear in mind that the majority of children referred to FCA are in the 11+ age group and we tend to have more boys than girls. If you are relying on income from fostering, you are far more likely to have continuous placements if you are willing to take teenagers as well as younger children.
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10. How much will I know about the child/young person before they are placed with me?
We discuss every placement with our carers and it is your decision as to whether to take a young person. We will provide you with as much information about the young person and their background as possible, including any difficult behaviour and how to manage it.
You do need to be aware that sometimes we have very little information, especially in an emergency. We would always, however, seek to find out quickly as much as possible.
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11. Who is responsible for taking the children to school and to the doctor etc?
We would normally expect carers to undertake these tasks. Occasionally, if you have a particular problem, your social worker would endeavour to make alternative arrangements.
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12. Are we allowed to smack foster children?
No form of corporal punishment is acceptable under the regulations governing fostering; this would include any form of smacking, slapping or shaking. We provide training to all our carers on alternative and effective ways to cope with any difficult behaviour.
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13. What sort of help would I get with a child who has special needs or a disability?
If a child has on-going medical needs, this will be explained to you before the placement is made and you will receive all the assistance necessary. Our role is to support you and this may include providing specialist equipment or training.
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14. How much fee/allowance will I receive and how is this decided?
The majority of FCA foster carers currently receive £381.50 per child, per week. However, there are circumstances where this may be less – for example placements of younger children. Where a child/young person has particularly challenging behaviour or special needs then this fee/allowance may be more. Your FCA Supervising Social Worker will discuss this with you before each fostering placement is made.
15. What does the fee/allowance cover?
Your weekly allowance for each child fostered is intended to cover living costs such as food, clothes, basic travel and household bills. There is also a reward element for the foster carer in recognition of the demands of the fostering task.
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16. Will I be taxed on this income?
Our carers work on a ‘self employed’ basis. Foster carers receive very favourable tax treatment on income derived solely from fostering.
Under a new tax relief introduced in 2003, foster carers whose gross receipts from foster care do not exceed an individual limit will be exempt from tax on their income from foster care.
Individual and more general advice on taxation is available from a number of sources including the Inland Revenue.
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17. If I decide to apply, how long will I have to wait before I begin having placements?
The length of the assessment process can vary between 4-6 months depending upon the complexity of your personal circumstances and the speed with which checks and references are received. Once your approval/appointment has been recommended by the Fostering Panel and confirmed by the Agency Decision Maker you can begin taking placements.
Each FCA region/country has their own dedicated Placements Team, who will act as the contact point for Local Authorities/Health Trusts needing fostering placements and liaise with your FCA Supervising Social Worker.
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