Foster carers come from all walks of life. There is no single type of person or family who can foster, and what matters most is your attitude, commitment and ability to provide a safe, loving home.
You don't need to be perfect to become a foster carer. We're looking for people who can offer children stability, warmth and understanding, and who are willing to work alongside our team and other professionals to help children thrive.
A genuine interest in supporting children and helping them feel safe, valued and understood.
A willingness to make fostering part of your everyday family life and provide consistent care.
An open, honest approach and a willingness to listen, learn and work as part of a team.
A welcoming, stable environment with a spare bedroom for a child or young person.
Our foster carers come from all walks of life. You can be single, married, unmarried or in a same-sex relationship. We welcome people from different cultures, faiths and communities, with a wide range of life experiences and skills.
You don't need to have children of your own or previous experience of parenting. What matters is your ability to offer a safe, nurturing home and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference to a child's life.
While there is no typical foster carer, there are some essential criteria that prospective foster carers need to meet.
Children in foster care generally need their own bedroom, providing a safe and comfortable space to call their own.
All prospective foster carers undertake an assessment, including DBS checks, references and other safeguarding checks.
Physically and emotionally able. Having a disability or health condition does not automatically prevent you from fostering.
Patience, understanding, resilience and a commitment to providing a safe, stable and caring home are essential.
Whether you have children of your own, are single or in a relationship, work full time or part time, or own or rent your home, we welcome enquiries from people with all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. Your individual circumstances will be considered as part of the assessment process.
You might be surprised by who can become a foster carer! Many people rule themselves out because of their circumstances, but things like having pets, renting your home or living with a health condition don't necessarily prevent you from fostering. Here are some of the questions we're often asked.
Yes! Many foster families have pets. Animals can bring companionship, comfort and enjoyment to family life. As part of your assessment, we'll consider your pets' temperament, behaviour and suitability around children to make sure everyone can live together safely.
Having a criminal record doesn't automatically mean you cannot foster. It depends on the nature and circumstances of the offence, although certain serious offences will prevent someone from fostering. We carry out enhanced DBS checks as part of the assessment process. The most important thing is to be open about any previous convictions so we can discuss your circumstances..
Yes! Many foster families have pets. Animals can bring companionship, comfort and enjoyment to family life. As part of your assessment, we'll consider your pets' temperament, behaviour and suitability around children to make sure everyone can live together safely.
Yes, having a medical condition doesn't automatically prevent you from fostering. We recognise that everyone's health circumstances are different. As part of the assessment process, you'll complete a medical assessment so we can understand whether your health may affect your ability to meet a child's needs.
Yes! Many foster carers have children of their own, while others have never been parents. We'll consider the needs and feelings of everyone in your household to make sure fostering is a positive experience for the whole family.
Yes! Many foster families have pets. Animals can bring companionship, comfort and enjoyment to family life. As part of your assessment, we'll consider your pets' temperament, behaviour and suitability around children to make sure everyone can live together safely.
Yes! Many foster families have pets. Animals can bring companionship, comfort and enjoyment to family life. As part of your assessment, we'll consider your pets' temperament, behaviour and suitability around children to make sure everyone can live together safely.
Of course! You don't need to be married or in a relationship to foster. What matters is your ability to provide a loving, stable home and having people around you who can offer support when needed.
Thinking about fostering? We’d love to hear from you.
Send us a few details and we'll get in touch for an informal chat.
