I Want To Foster - Foster Carers

Who can become a carer?


Can you make the difference to a young person’s life?

Foster carers come in many different shapes and from a wide range of backgrounds, but the starting point for almost all of them is the realisation that they could make the difference.

Training, support and experience combine to help carers cope with the needs and demands of even the most challenging children in their care.

It helps if applicants have previous fostering or related child care experience – but more important is the carer themselves; their personality, enthusiasm and their willingness to make a full-time commitment to fostering.

Applicants must also value differences. During the assessment process your attitude towards race, religion, culture, disability and lesbian and gay issues will be discussed. Applicants assessed as holding discriminatory views are unsuitable as foster carers for Foster Care Associates.

Space also plays a factor in the application process – as you will need to have a separate room for each child placed with you.

The following checklist may help you to decide whether you have the qualities to foster for Foster Care Associates.

  • You genuinely like children and can remain enthusiastic even when things are difficult.

  • You appreciate that fostering will have an impact on your own children and wider family.

  • You do not expect children to be grateful for the care you show and may take time to respond.

  • You can accept a child who may reject or strongly disagree with your views and feelings.

  • You can understand that children may lie, steal or display sexualised behaviour.

  • You can accept and deal with anger from children.

  • You have a good sense of humour.

  • Your marriage, partnership or support network of friends and family can withstand the pressures associated with fostering.

  • You can, when necessary, reach out to others for support.

  • You can accept failure in yourself and others.

  • You can be pleased with small steps of progress.

  • You can accept that things in your house might be messed up, moved or broken.

(Adapted from Key Issues in Assessment produced by British Association for Adoption and Fostering.)