Foster Carers

Foster carers are people who look after children who cannot live with their families. In the past they were refered to as foster parents but this term is misleading.

The children already have parents and 'foster carers' better reflects the often short term nature of the service provided to children.

Foster carers can be single or a couple, they do not need to be married. They can be hetrosexual or gay.

Most Fostering Agencies welcome applications from people who are in their mid twenties and it is quite common for people to foster children up until their 60's.

Often people who are thinking about applying to become foster carers make assumptions about what is involved that are not correct.

For instance, some people think they have to own a large house or have a certain income. Neither of these assumptions are correct!

Fostering is about caring for a child in your own home. There are around 49,000 children (in England) who are placed with foster carers by Social Services.

Many of these children will eventually return to their families. In some cases this may take a matter of days or weeks in others it may take much longer.

If a return to their families is not possible a decision may be made to find a long term foster placement or find a permanent new family, possible through adoption.

In the majority of cases Foster carers will be part of the arrangements for foster children to have regular contact with their families, and their parents will continue to have responsibilities towards them throughout the time they are in foster care.

Find out if Fostering is for you.....