Working and fostering
What's the deal - can I work and foster?
Here at FCA, we understand the importance of getting your head around finances before applying to foster a child, especially during the current cost of living crisis. Everybody’s situation is unique, and we have many foster parents who work as well as foster. There are, however, a few things you need to consider before you apply.
Can you work and foster?
Yes, you can work and be a foster parent. In fact, according to The Fostering Network, nearly 40% of foster parents work while fostering. We are always open to the idea of you continuing to work, depending on the child in your care's needs and whether it's in their best interests.
Fostering is rewarding but can be demanding, and it can be challenging to balance the needs of the child and work commitments. For example, you need to be available to look after the young person during the school holidays or if they aren't feeling well and need time off school. Many foster parents decide that it's more feasible to work part-time or resign from their current position.
Can you foster and work full-time?
Fostering is a full-time job; however, if you are fostering as a couple, it may be possible for one of you to continue to work full-time. Again, much depends on the needs and age of the children, but in all cases, the child's welfare, safety and needs should be front and centre.
If you're hoping to work and foster, here are a few things you need to consider:
- The flexibility of your employer.
- The hours you intend to work.
- Whether you foster as a single carer or with a partner.
- Your support network - do you have family and friends to lean on if you need childcare at short notice?
- The type of fostering you're hoping to do.
- The age of the children - younger children need more time and attention, whereas teenagers and older children can be more independent.
- If you're open to fostering children with complex needs, they will require more care and attention.
Download the FCA’s Beginner’s Guide to Fostering a Child to learn more about how to foster a child and the process involved.
Fostering and working: meeting your foster child's needs.
As a foster parent, your role is to support a child with all aspects of their care. So, if you hope to continue to work alongside fostering a child, it is helpful to consider whether you can keep up with the demands of both.
A foster parent's role includes the following practical tasks:
- Be available to care for the child or children, including cooking meals, washing clothes and helping them with personal care as appropriate.
- Transport the child to any health appointments.
- Transport the child to school and any extracurricular activities.
- Attend meetings in relation to the foster child.
- Attend any training to support your role as a foster parent.
- Attend support groups with other foster families.
- Support contact between a child and their family, which could mean transporting them or supervising the contact.
If you believe you can provide a safe, stable and nurturing home for a child in need, we'd love to hear from you. Our friendly team of fostering experts are on hand to discuss your individual circumstances and answer any questions you may have.
Fostering allowance
At FCA, we take care of our foster parents. We reward their hard work and dedication with competitive fostering allowances, which are often tax-free, so finances aren't a burden.
Our foster parents go above and beyond for children and young people, and we believe we should do the same for them. So, not only will you receive an average of £487 per week, but you'll also receive bonuses, rewards and discounts to help your money go further.
Does a foster parent get paid for fostering?
Yes, you’ll receive a regular fostering allowance. We offer our foster parent competitive fees and allowances to reward them for their hard work. In addition to the great support and training we offer.
How much is a foster parent paid?
This varies and is based on the type of referral you have and the needs of the child in your care. On average though, our foster parents can receive approx. over £487 per child, per week.
Will I be paid in between fostering referrals?
We do not continue to pay fostering allowances in between foster referrals, however we always aim for you to have little time without a child or young person, should this be your wish.
What is the process of becoming a foster parent?
Applying to become a foster parent involves a number of steps and starts when you contact us.
- Get in touch
We’ll have a chat to you talk to one of our friendly fostering advisors by calling 0800 023 4561 or filling in our enquiry form.
- We’ll visit you at home
We will arrange for one of our fostering advisors to visit you at home to talk to you in more detail and what to expect and how we will support you and find out a bit more about you.
- Start your application
If you decide you’d like to apply to foster with us, we’ll start you application process. The process involves filling in an application form and once accepted we will then undertake your fostering assessment.
- Fostering assessment
Following your application we’ll undertake a fostering assessment. Your assessing social worker will visit you and your family at home a number of times to speak to you and collect information about you and your life. It will help us to understand more about you. In addition you will attend a preparatory training course to help you learn more about fostering and how to handle different situations. The assessment process takes between four to six months.
- Meet the panel
Once your assessment is finished you will go to a fostering panel who will make their recommendation. The group is made up of people with fostering experience. Your social worker will help you prepare and be there for support. Read our blog about panel to help you understand.
Once approved the real fostering journey starts!
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.
Do I get any breaks or holidays while fostering?
We do offer respite your supervising social worker can speak to you about what it entails.
What type of company is FCA?
Established in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is proud to be one of the largest fostering agencies in the UK. We are part of the Polaris community and our core vision is to make a positive and lasting difference for looked after children and families. With the interests of children and young people at the heart of everything we do, we work closely with local authorities to provide caring, loving and stable fostering homes, but we always go the extra mile for our foster parents and children.
What is the difference between a fostering agency and the local authority?
Although we work alongside the local authorities, there are four key differences between fostering with your local authority and fostering with independent fostering agencies like FCA:
- The age of the children needing fostering through private agencies is generally higher than those available with local authorities.
- Foster parent allowances with FCA and other private fostering agencies are often significantly higher than those of local authorities.
- Levels of support vary between local authorities and private fostering agencies, with local authorities not offering the same level of support.
- We offer a therapeutic approach that provides looked after children with the additional, intensive support they need to thrive called Team Parenting®
We work very closely with local authorities to find suitable foster parents for children within their care when they are unable to place a child with one of their own approved foster parents.
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