Can I foster?

Why not take our quick test

Take our Quiz to see if you can be a foster carer. You may find the responses to your answers are not always as you’d expect! This will take just a couple of minutes.
Do you have a spare bedroom?
If you answered no: A foster child must have their own room. We have had potential carers who have thought about loft or garage conversions. You may also be considering a house or flat move in the near future and could bear the requirement in mind. If any of these changes are likely to occur, please do get back in touch us.
Are you married?
If you answered no: That's no problem - our foster carers can be married, single, separated or divorced, in a regular or long term partnership or in a civil partnership.
Are aged between 18 and 65?
If you answered no: Fostering regulations state that all carers must be over the age of 18 but thank you for your interest in helping others. You may like to consider contacting us in the future. If you are over 65, fostering is not out of the question but a lot will depend on your health and fitness.
Do you have any criminal convictions or cautions?
If you answered yes: Convictions from many years ago for offences unrelated to children may not prevent you from being a foster carer. Any caution or conviction for a violent or sexual offence will prevent you from successfully applying.
Are you fit and healthy?
If you answered no: A full medical will be required to assess your capacity or ability to care for children safely and effectively.
Do you own your own home?
If you answered no: You may be a tenant or owner, the important thing is that your living arrangements are secure and your home is safe and welcoming to children.
Do you have child care experience?
If you answered no: All applicants attend our Skills to Foster training course and you may well have other life experiences like being part of a large family or have nieces and nephews.
Have you got the time to fit fostering into your life?
If you answered no: You will need plenty of time and energy both during school holidays and term time. You may well need to pick children up from school and attend meetings about them.
Could you accept a detailed assessment of your family life and background?
If you answered no: In order to ensure that any foster child is placed with carers we can trust, such detailed assessments are essential.
Will all members of your family welcome the challenge of fostering?
If you answered no: A foster home is a placement with a family to which all family members must be committed and willing participants.