Becoming a foster parent
We’re here to support you every step of the way, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible
Where are you in your fostering journey?
How to become a foster parent
Becoming a foster parent typically takes 4–6 months and follows a clear step-by-step process:
Step 1: Enquire
Get in touch with our team by phone or online. We’ll answer your questions and explain what fostering involves.
Step 2: Home visit
A fostering advisor will visit your home (or arrange a virtual call) to get to know you and talk through your situation.
Step 3: Apply
If you’re ready, you’ll complete an application form, and we’ll begin background checks and references.
Step 4: Assessment
A social worker will work closely with you to understand your experience, lifestyle, and support network.
Step 5: Training
You’ll complete expert-led training designed to prepare you for real-life fostering situations – so you feel confident from day one.
Step 6: Approval (Panel)
An independent panel will review your application before a final decision is made.
Give a child a safe, loving home — and change a life, including your own.
Becoming a foster parent might feel overwhelming at first, but we’ll guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re just exploring or ready to apply, we’re here to help you get started.
- No experience needed
- Full training and 24/7 support
- Competitive fostering allowances
Start your fostering journey today
There is a wide range of online and face-to-face training available, which we can fit in around caring for our foster children. We’ve also benefitted from FCA’s peer support groups, where we can meet other carers and share experiences. This is great to help us reflect on the care we give, learn from others and develop new strategies and skills.
Jo & Lisa – Birmingham
Becoming a foster parent with us
Once you have been approved
Congratulations, your fostering journey with us can now officially begin. Our team will begin working with your local authority to match you with a child. They’ll consider your skills and the child’s needs to ensure that both you and your foster child can develop a deep bond and thrive together.
Your preferences, such as the types of fostering you’d like to offer, will also be taken into consideration, and you’ll never be pressured to say ‘Yes’ to a match.
Why Foster with FCA?
If you choose to foster with us, you can rest assured that you’ll be supported through every stage of the fostering process. There are plenty of reasons why FCA is the perfect place to begin your fostering journey…
- 30 years of foster care experience: We’ve been helping children and foster parents for over 30 years and are one of the country’s largest independent fostering agencies.
- Excellent support: Our Team Parenting® support network is committed to supporting everyone within our fostering families. You can rely on us to be there whenever you need us.
- A dedicated social worker: All our foster families are assigned their own social worker. They’ll visit you regularly to make sure everyone in your household is having an enjoyable fostering experience and will always be on hand to help you when you have questions or need a little extra support.
What support will I receive?
When you foster with FCA, you’re never alone.
We provide:
- 24/7 expert support
- Ongoing training and development
- Generous fostering allowances
- A dedicated social worker
- Access to a nationwide support network
Our goal is simple: give you everything you need to provide the best care for a child.
Ready to take the first step?
Most people can foster — it’s your personal qualities that matter most.
You can apply if you:
- Are 21 or over
- Have a spare bedroom
- Can provide a safe, stable home
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
Download our guide to the fostering assessment
Download our free Guide to the Fostering Assessment to learn everything you need to know about becoming a foster parent — from making your first enquiry to getting approved, being matched with a child, and the support you’ll receive along the way.
Frequently asked questions
What is fostering?
Fostering is providing a safe and stable family home for a child or young person who can’t live with their birth family. There are many reasons why children need foster care.
What kind of support will I receive?
We wouldn’t expect anyone to foster without the right support, so when you foster with FCA, you are not alone.
Become a foster parent with us, and you will have access to:
- Social Work Support: You will have a dedicated supervising social worker who is your main point of contact and will organise monthly meetings and support for you whenever you need it
- 24 / 7 support
- Training and development: We will prepare you to foster and keep developing your skills with an ongoing training programme featuring both face-to-face and online courses through our Learnative portal.
- Events and activities: We host a range of events and activities for all the family to enjoy.
- Online portal: Join our online community with our portal, The Exchange, just for FCA foster parents. It gives you free and instant access to information and advice right when you need it – day or night, 365 days a year. Plus access to a range of discounts to some major retailers and online stores.
- Fostering Network membership: Useful and practical benefits, including insurance, legal protection, medical and stress advice helplines, as well as a foster care magazine.
Can I still work and be a foster parent?
Sometimes, you can still work part-time or flexibly, depending on your situation.
Ideally, we prefer that at least one foster parent is available full-time. This ensures that the child or young person in your care is well looked after.
As a foster parent, you are responsible for day-to-day tasks: the school run, being available during school holidays, attending medical appointments on behalf of or with your foster child, attending training, and reviewing meetings. Should you have a problem on an odd occasion, your supervising social worker can help you make alternative arrangements.
To find out more and discuss your personal circumstances, call 0800 098 4156.
Can a foster child share a bedroom?
Every child and young person needs their own space, regardless of whether they have been raised in foster care.
A bedroom is a place for kids to play, explore, and be creative without interruptions. It’s their own special space where they can have fun and use their imagination.
Children in foster care may have had difficult experiences in the past. Giving them their own bedroom can help them process these events and have a quiet space to reflect and think. Somewhere they can feel calm and relaxed.
I have a criminal record. Does this mean I can’t foster?
A criminal conviction won’t always prevent you from becoming a foster parent. It depends on the nature of the conviction and when it occurred. We do police checks during the application process. Please be honest and disclose any convictions early in your fostering journey so we can discuss them with you.
If you’d like to foster but are concerned about your criminal record, then we always advise that you speak to one of our fostering advisors.
You’re just one step away from starting your journey
Ready to start fostering a child or young person? Or just want a bit more information to help you decide whether fostering is for you? All you need to do is contact us.
Enquiry Form
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