Who can foster a child?
We work with an amazing, diverse community of foster parents.
Find out more about fostering and whether you have the right qualities, experience and circumstances to foster with FCA.
What is the criteria for fostering?
When it comes to being a foster parent and fostering a child, it’s your personal qualities that count. We proudly welcome people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, all religions and sexual orientations. There aren’t any hard and fast rules about who can foster children and young people, so forget the myths, here is what you need in order to foster:
What you need:
- Be over 21 years old (there’s no upper age limit)
- Have a spare bedroom but you don’t need to own your own house
- Be a British Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain
- Generally you’ll need to be able to foster full time, but there are a few exceptions
- Plenty of patience, energy, resilience and commitment
What you don't:
- To be married or in a relationship
- Already be a parent (we give you lots of support and training)
- Any specific qualifications or experience in childcare
- You can foster regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability
Do I need any special qualifications or experience to foster?
In short, no. When you first start your fostering journey, all you need is bags of energy, patience, resilience and commitment.
We'll give you all the training and support you need to foster and look after a child in your care. Once you are approved, the training doesn’t stop there, as we have a range of fostering training courses both online and face to face to help you to continue to develop your skills. When you foster with us you are never on your own.
Can I foster?
Many people rule themselves out of fostering but actually all kinds of people make wonderful foster carers.
Regardless of their relationship status, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, age, gender, income or number of birth children, the one thing they all have in common is drive and determination to make a lasting and positive difference for the vulnerable child or young person in their life.
If you want to find out more, get in touch with us today.
What next?
Take a look at the fostering process or read through our FAQs if you are still unsure if you can foster. Alternatively you can give us a call on 0800 023 4561 and we can speak to you and answer any questions you have.
Get in touch
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.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
By Phone
Call a member of our friendly fostering team and they'll be able to answer all your questions