Thinking of fostering?

Here are your top 10 questions answered by the National Fostering Agency

1) I have no experience of Fostering, am I suitable?

• Do you have experience of parenting or working with children?
• In relation to your accommodation do you have a spare bedroom?
• Foster Carers need to be available; do you feel you have the time to commit to caring for a child? 

If the answer to all three is yes, then you may be suitable to foster.  We would need to visit you to discuss this in more detail and would need to assess, train and prepare you for some of the challenges that fostering will present. The process will take an average of 4-6 months depending on your individual circumstances and we require all members of your house to be part of the assessment.

2) What behaviours will fostered children have?
Many fostered children have been abused and neglected, some may have been abandoned, some are Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers and have come from war torn countries. All children need care, attention and security. We will train and support you to enable you to cope with children placed in your care.

3) I am new to this, what sort of help and training will I get?
You will receive in depth training and support from qualified, experienced staff. You will be able to meet other foster carers who will share their knowledge with you. Plus, our Social Workers are available 24 hours a day should you have a query or problem.

4) I have my own children. How will fostering affect them?
Many of our foster carers have their own children so this does not preclude you from applying. When you apply, we will discuss the needs of your children so that we can match foster children as closely as possible with your family. In our experience, foster carer’s children gain great benefit from sharing their homes with foster children. The standards for fostering state that foster children cannot share a bedroom with your own children.

5) What checks do you carry out and how long will it take for me to be approved as a carer?
We carry out a full assessment which includes checks with the Criminal Record Bureau. You will be visited by a Social Worker in your home, and you will be required to attend preparation training. You will also need to have a medical examination. The whole process takes from 4 - 6 months depending on circumstances.

6) What allowances do I get to cover expenses?
The Government and National Fostering Agency recognises that parenting is a costly business. Therefore we pay you a generous weekly,  tax free allowance per child.

7) Can I work?
We ask foster carers to be as flexible and available to carry out school runs and  care for children during the day if they are off school due to sickness, school holidays or if excluded. Foster carers also have to commit to attending training courses and meetings. Each applicant’s situation is assessed on an individual basis.

8) How long do children stay with me?
Children need to be fostered for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes there might be a temporary crisis in the family and they will go home the next day. Sometimes, it will be unsuitable for them to go home and they may need to stay with you for many months. In other cases, foster children remain until they are adults. We will support you and advise you in each case so that you understand what the plans are for each child.

9) I am a single parent. Can I foster?
Yes. Many foster carers are single parents, but you must be willing and able to carry out all the tasks associated with fostering. You must also have a nominated suitable adult who can help you in an emergency.

For more info email info@nfa.ws or phone 0845 200 4040
(calls at local rate)

Back: Fostering & Adoption

Back: Home