All About Fostering
What is Fostering?
Foster Parents and families, care for children and young people living with them when the children or young people are unable to live with their birth families.
Fostering provides a safe and caring family space for children and young people to find security, understanding and support.
If you have room, time, patience, and a big heart to invest, you could really make a difference to a young person’s life.
Why are children Fostered?
Children and young people can enter foster care for many different reasons. Sometimes their birth parent may be struggling with illness, need some extra support or their home may not be safe.
Some children and young people are not able to return home and the local authority assumes the responsibility for the child or young person and finding a family for them to live with.
Other times, families just need a little time to resolve difficult situations and the children or young person need to be somewhere safe whilst they are.
Why Foster?
Young people of all ages, from babies to teenagers need stable, safe and nurturing environments to grow up in.
This is the next generation, and we need to ensure that they have the best possible opportunities to access education, to grow and thrive in loving, supportive and understanding homes.
If you have the time, willingness, patience and understanding to provide a safe and stable environment, not only can you make a genuine difference to improve the lives of children and young people.
If you would like to know more about how much you can be paid as a foster parent, please click here.
Types of Fostering?
There are several different forms of fostering from short to long term, emergency to planned respite/short break, or parent and child, for differing reasons.
If you would like to know more about the different types of foster care, please click here.
Who can Foster?
Lots of people and maybe you! Every child is different, so is every foster parent.
Each application will be assessed on it’s own merits but the main requirements are:
You are over 21
You are a UK Citizen
You have a spare bedroom
You are in good health
There are many myths and misconceptions about who can and can’t foster, we welcome applications from people from all walks of life.
If you have read this far, why not get in touch and we can advise you further.
If you would like to know more about who can foster, please call 01745 421669
How do I become a Foster parent?
Great! You are thinking about becoming a foster parent and start a journey that really does change lives; not just of the child but yours too.
The very first thing to do is to give us a call for a friendly and informal chat. We can answer any questions you may have and help to ease any fears or concerns. Alternatively use the Contact Form and we will get back to you at your convenience.
Once you are happy to proceed we will arrange to visit you, assist with your application form and guide you through the following stages which can take from two to four months to complete.