Who can foster

When it comes to fostering, there are no upper age limits, but it is expected that carers are healthy and mature enough to work with the complex needs that some children may have.

Applicants wishing to care for children under 12 should be aged 21 or over. To be considered to care for teenagers, an applicant needs to be at least 25 years old.

You do not need to be married to become a foster family - you can be single, divorced or cohabiting.

If you're in a partnership, it can mean:

• marriage
• civil partnership or stable living arrangement

We welcome enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community.

To become a foster carer, you will need to demonstrate that your partnership is stable, permanent and will be able to withstand the challenges that fostering can bring.

If you're single, this arrangement can be seen as a positive choice for some children.

You will need to consider your arrangements in the event of illness or being unable to look after the child.

All applicants will need to show that they have strong and supportive network of family and friends to call on when they need to.

If you have children with a previous partner, all your children (including adult children if they are grown up) will need to be interviewed as part of the fostering assessment process.

We will also discuss your ongoing involvement in their lives with you.

It is our practice to contact all relevant previous partners whenever applicants have parented together, or:

• if you have been involved in a previous partnership regarded as of significance (i.e. which lasted for over a year and/or was a live-in arrangement, whether the care of children was included or not)
• if you have children with a previous partner or have cared for children within a previous partnership

The previous partner will be asked if they are aware of any cause for concern, about each applicant caring for a child or whether they have known them to be violent, abusive or negative.

It is appreciated that this is a sensitive matter which may raise issues of concern, but we are interested in establishing applicant's ability to parent.

We understand that some relationships do not end amicably and will take this into consideration.

An applicant’s outright refusal for us to contact ex-partners may have an impact on whether we can progress or not with your application. Please do discuss any concerns with us as early as possible if this affects you or causes you anxiety.

However, in all but the most unusual circumstances we will expect to speak to ex-partners.

It is important to have a spare bedroom to accommodate a foster child.

If you live in rented accommodation, we're required to:

• check your tenancy agreement
• have a letter from the landlord showing that they're supportive of the tenants fostering

You will need to be in good health and able to manage the physical and emotional demands of caring for children.

Having a specific disability or medical condition will not necessarily prevent you from fostering. We will take advice from your doctor and the local authority Medical Advisor on your health and the possible implications for fostering.

If you smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes, we will not place children with you who:

• are under 5 years old
• are vulnerable
• have learning or physical disabilities

Foster carers need to be available to meet the needs of the children in their care.

This can include:

• taking them to school
• attending meetings and other appointment

Foster carers also need to be available during school holidays to care for their foster child.

Having a job doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t foster. Applications from those who work from home, are self-employed or have flexible working arrangements will also be considered.

There are various foster care schemes that may be suitable for applicants' circumstances, including The Fostering Network’s Fostering Friendly workplace programme.