Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering

It goes without saying that the process of fostering a child, from trying to decide whether it’s something that you want to (or indeed are ready to) do all the way to bringing them home for the first time, is one that is riddled with questions. Of course, it is! This is a major life decision and if you’re not asking questions, then you’re not thinking enough about it! The more questions you ask, the better prepared you’ll be.

Now, while there is no such thing as a bad question, there are plenty of common ones which come up time and time again, and we’ve put together some of those for you with some answers. But before we get started, one of the most important things to remember is that you are not alone on this journey. Any fostering agency worth its salt will be there to support you at every step of the way with training, workshops, and social workers available on call.

Now, let’s get into those questions…

Do I Need To Have Any Specific Qualifications Or Skills To Be Able To Foster?

It’s understandable that you would worry about this one. It’s a huge responsibility after all! However, you do not need to have taken any courses before you begin the application process. There is training involved, but this will be organised by your foster care agency as they help you to develop the skills you need to care for a foster child. This is referred to as a “skills to foster” course, and there will also be ongoing workshops and planned learning opportunities going forward.

What Is The Difference Between Fostering And Adoption?

There is an important distinction to be made between fostering and adoption. While adoption is a legal process that gives the new parent all the parental responsibility and is a permanent arrangement, fostering is an arrangement where a carer takes temporary responsibility for a child whose family is unable to care for them. A foster child will continue to be supported by a local authority or trust, as well as the agency, and it’s important to note that some foster children will want to stay in touch with their parents during this process. Both processes involve providing a safe, secure home for children, but they are different, so make sure you know which you want to pursue.

Do I Need To Have A Spare Bedroom?

Generally speaking, the answer is yes to this one. There may be some short-term fostering opportunities available if you can’t provide a spare bedroom, but it is so important that your foster child have their own room. It’s not just about the space, it’s about the privacy. Now, of course there are a whole different range of reasons why a child needs foster care and they come from many different backgrounds, but the security and comfort that comes from having a room that is theirs and theirs alone is absolutely crucial.

How Long Is The Process To Become A Foster Carer?

When you decide to pursue this, you will need to remember that it can take a while. An unhelpful answer would be “How long is a piece of string?” but there are many variables that can lead to it taking more or less time than you might expect. A good benchmark is around four to six months. During this time a social worker will assess you and your home, there will be a lot of background checks and reference requests, and you will start the process of training and learning to get your skills up to scratch. Once you have passed a panel of advisors, the process of pairing you with a foster child will begin. If you want to learn more about the process, Hampshire fostering agency Blue Sky Fostering has put some helpful tips and resources and you can learn more here.

Will My Family Or Relationship Status Be An Issue?

In general, the short answer to this question is no. You do not need to be a parent to foster, you do not need to be married, and you do not need to be in a relationship. There are circumstances when a foster child is better suited to a single person household. If you do have children, then it will be important to make sure that you involve them in the conversation about whether or not this is the right thing to do for your family and make sure that you have taken their feelings into account.

A lot of people are still unclear about whether or not same-sex couples can foster a child, to which the answer is a resounding yes. One thing that you should be aware of, however, is that while you don’t need to own your own home to foster, moving straight after your application is generally a bad idea as stability is a must.