Who can become a foster carer

Could you become a foster carer?

Foster carers are a diverse group of people from a wide range of backgrounds. When considering who can become a foster carer, FCA's selection criteria is based upon the applicant's ability to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment for looked after children and young people - independent of age, race, sexual orientation, home ownership status or income.

There are 3 key logistical requirements that you are required to satisfy in order to become a foster carer with FCA:

That you have a spare bedroom in your home.
That you are able to commit to fostering on a full-time basis. (Exclusions may apply. Contact an FCA fostering advisor on 0800 023 4561 or complete our Enquire Online form for further information.)
That you are over the age of 21.

What are the personal qualities required of a foster carer?

Foster carers require patience, selflessness, encouragement to the child and a willingness to adapt to the child’s needs. Quality foster carers provide a nurturing and welcoming family environment through which the child or young person can flourish. Above all, those who can become a foster carer must be able to put the child first.

Rewarding FCA foster carers

FCA foster carers are rewarded emotionally and financially. Emotionally, fostering a child can be a highly fulfilling experience by helping a child or young person to achieve their potential. And financially, in order to recruit the very best foster carers, FCA offers highly competitive fostering fees and allowances.

If you are thinking of becoming a foster carer, you may wish to consider

Could I put myself in the child's shoes?
Do I have the patience, commitment and understanding to help a child regardless of their background – even when they’re not ‘my own’?
Would I consider caring for a distressed child, or a child with behavioural problems or learning difficulties?

It helps if applicants have some previous fostering or related child care experience, but the more important requirement of a foster carer is the foster carer themselves: their personality, their enthusiasm and their commitment to making a difference. Do you have these qualities? Call Us on 0800 023 4561 or Enquire Online today.

Do you know about the different types of foster care placements?

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