How to become a foster parent

Your Questions Answered

Deciding to become a foster parent requires time. We will support you throughout the entire process if you choose to foster with us.

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Becoming a foster parent is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. If you’re thinking of becoming a foster parent with FCA, you may be feeling excited and a little overwhelmed by all of the information out there.

Let’s break down the journey to becoming a foster parent and answer some of the most common questions our foster parents have.

Who can become a foster parent?

Here at FCA, we proudly welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Everybody can become a foster parent, regardless of your relationship status, sexuality, gender identity or employment status. When it comes to fostering, it’s a person’s personal qualities which we’re interested in.

In the UK, the only initial requirements for becoming a foster parent are:

That you are over the age of 21 (there’s no upper age limit)
That you can provide a stable, loving home with a spare room which a child could call their own
That you are a British Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

Did you know? You do not need to own your own home in order to become a foster parent. You can foster whether you own your home or if you live in rented accommodation.

How long does it take to become a foster parent?

It usually takes between four to six months to become approved as a foster parent. Preparing for a few months may seem like a lot. However, it is important to ensure that you have the necessary training and skills.

This will help you succeed in your role. With the right support and training, you’ll be able to provide the young people you’ll welcome into your home with the best quality of care.

How to foster a child in the UK

Step 1: Enquire

If you believe that you can offer a child the care and commitment which they need to thrive, we’d love to hear from you. You can register your interest in becoming a foster parent by giving us a call on 0800 023 4561 or completing the enquiry form on our website. A member of our friendly team will get to know you over the phone and will happily answer any questions you have about fostering with us.

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Step 2: Home Visit

Once you’ve registered your interest, our enquiry team will arrange for a fostering advisor to visit your home. There’s also the option to arrange a virtual visit if this is an easier option for you and your family. The home visit is designed to learn more about you and give you an in depth understanding of what fostering might look like for you and your family.

Your fostering advisor will also explain what support we offer our foster parents and take a look around your home. If you decide that fostering is right with you and your fostering advisor agrees that you are ready to progress, it’s time to complete your application form!

Step 3A: Fostering Assessment

Once your application has been accepted, one of our social workers will be in touch to start your  fostering assessment. During this step they’ll visit your home 8-10 times to gain a really good understanding of your family life, as well as the skills and strengths which make you an excellent candidate to foster. This information will be put together in a report called a Form F.

Step 3B: Preparation Training

During your fostering assessment, you’ll also be invited to attend our  fostering preparatory training  course. This course offers a fantastic opportunity to learn all about the fostering role and develop skills which will help you to face any difficulties you may encounter while fostering, such as learning positive behavioural management strategies and how to effectively support the emotional needs of the children in your care.

Step 4: Fostering Panel

The final stage of the fostering process is attending a panel meeting. During a fostering panel meeting, your social worker will present the Form F assessment which they’ve prepared to a panel of experts for review. They will also ask you some questions about your journey to becoming a foster carer.

At the end of the meeting, the panel will make a recommendation to a member of the management team here at FCA, who will make the final decision on your application and finalise your approval.

Becoming a Foster Parent with FCA

Once you have been approved, congratulations!

Your fostering journey with us can now begin. Our team will now begin working with your local authority to find a match which is not only suitable, but which takes into consideration your skills and the child’s needs to ensure that both you and your foster child will be able to thrive together and develop a deep bond. We will also take into consideration your preferences regarding the types of fostering you’d like to offer.

How much do foster parents get paid?

Foster parents choose fostering as a career because they are passionate about changing the lives of young people and helping them along their journey to becoming healthy, happy adults. At FCA we also understand how important it is to offer generous and competitive fostering allowances so that our foster parents can thrive.

How much you’ll earn as a foster parent differs depending on several factors, including your level of experience and the needs of the child you’ll be fostering. Check out our finance calculator below, which will give you an idea of how much you could earn as a foster parent.

Did you know? Foster parents are entitled to extra financial support and tax breaks. Check out our guide to allowances, tax, National Insurance and claiming benefits whilst fostering.

Why Foster with FCA?

There are plenty of reasons why FCA is the perfect place to being your fostering journey…

25 years of foster care experience. We’ve been helping children and foster parents for over 25 years, and are one of the country’s largest and independent fostering agencies.
Excellent support. Our Team Parenting® support network is committed to supporting everyone within our fostering families. You can rely on us to be there whenever you need us.
A dedicated social worker. Each of our foster families will be assigned with their own social worker who will visit you on a regular basis to make sure everyone in your household is having an enjoyable fostering experience, and they’ll always be on hand to help you when you have questions or need some extra support.

Join us Today in Changing the Lives of Young People

If you choose to foster with us, you can rest assured that you’ll be supported through every step of the fostering process.

If you think you’d make a great foster parent and want to know more about how to begin fostering, we’d love for you to get in touch with a member of our team by using our online enquiry form. You can also give us a call on 0800 023 4561.

Frequently asked questions

What is fostering?

Fostering is providing a safe and stable family home for a child or young person who can’t live with their birth family. There are many reasons why children need foster care.

Learn more about fostering

What kind of support will I receive?

We wouldn’t expect anyone to foster without the right support, so when you foster with FCA you are not alone.

Become a foster parent with us and you have access to:

Social Work Support– you will have a dedicated supervising social worker who is your main point of contact and will organise monthly meetings and support for you whenever you need it
24 / 7 support
Training and development – We will prepare you to foster and keep developing your skills with an ongoing training programme featuring both face to face and online courses thorough our Learnative portal.
Events and activities – we host a range of events and activities for all the family to enjoy.
Online portal – Join our online community with our portal The Exchange just for FCA foster parents. It gives you free and instant access to information and advice right when you need it – day or night, 365 days a year. Plus access to a range of discounts to some major retailers and online stores.
Fostering Network membership – useful and practical benefits, including insurance, legal protection, medical and stress advice helplines, as well as a foster care magazine.

Can I still work and be a foster parent?

Sometimes, you can still work part-time or flexibly based on your situation.

Ideally, we prefer that at least one foster parent is available full-time. This ensures that the child or young person in your care is well looked after.

As a foster parent, you have responsibility for day-to-day tasks; the school run, being available during school holidays, attending medical appointments on behalf of or with your foster child, attending training, and reviewing meetings. Should you have a problem on an odd occasion, your supervising social worker can help you make alternative arrangements.

To find out more and discuss your personal circumstances, call 0800 098 4156.

Can a foster child share a bedroom?

Every child and young person needs their own space, regardless of whether they have been raised in foster care.

A bedroom is a place for kids to play, explore, and be creative without interruptions. It’s their own special space where they can have fun and use their imagination.

Children in foster care may have had difficult experiences in the past. Giving them their own bedroom can help them process these events and have a quiet space to reflect and think. Somewhere they can feel calm and relaxed.

I have a criminal record, does this mean I can’t foster?

A criminal conviction won’t always prevent you from being a foster parent. It depends on the nature of the conviction and when it occurred. We do police checks during the application process. Please be honest and disclose any convictions early in your fostering journey so we can talk about it with you.

If you’d like to foster but are concerned about your criminal record, then we always advise that you speak to one of our fostering advisors.

How can we help?

Ready to start fostering a child or young person? Or just want a bit more information to help you decide whether fostering is for you? All you need to do is contact us.

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