Who can foster?

Foster carers come from all walks of life. You don’t have to be married, live in a big house or have formal qualifications. Single people or same sex couples can apply and what really matters is your skills, genuine commitment and ability to meet the needs of children and young people in difficult circumstances and make a real difference to their lives.

We do ask for at least one adult to be available full time and we especially welcome:

Applicants with experience of looking after other people’s children through either paid or voluntary work
Approved foster carers that wish to transfer to FosterCare UK to further develop their careers
Families with no younger children at home where they can give young people the attention and supervision they may have missed in other situations
Applicants from a wide range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds
Applicant's that are or have been employed in a caring environment with transferrable skills i.e social work, police, paramedics, residential care workers, teachers and/or support workers

We are particularly interested in hearing from people who are experienced or are interested in fostering a(n):

Young person moving into a family setting from residential care
Young person aged 8 - 16 years and sibling groups
Children and young people with high needs in relation to physical disabilities
Child with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Unaccompanied Asylum seeking child or young person
Child in need of a therapeutic placement
Young person, who is a parent or about to become a parent
Child or young person of any age who may have or be having difficulties in other fostering placements and will require a more "focused and intensive" support package

Full training, including the Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 and 24 hour support is provided by FosterCare UK. Induction and core training will be in line with the CWDC (Children's Workforce Development Council) and The Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 is available to all foster carers.

At FosterCare UK we see training and support as your right. It is the first step along a pathway that will continue all throughout your fostering career with us. You are required to complete the CWDC standards and Diploma courses to help you build your confidence and competence to ensure you have the knowledge and skills to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people in our care.

‘Every Child Matters’

A recent Government survey found that the same things are important for all children and young people as they grow up. At FosterCare UK we focus on the five key areas that were identified by young people as making a real difference.

These are:

Being healthy
Staying safe
Enjoying and achieving
Making a positive contribution
Achieving economic well-being

Foster carers play a key role in giving children and young people the opportunity and help they need to benefit from good health, a safe and secure home, fun and learning, getting on with others and having the skills and confidence to do well in their futures.

We believe that foster carers should be recognised as professionals and as part of our team.

These are the qualities and skills you will need to demonstrate:

To provide a safe, stable and caring home for as long as a child or young person may need it
To support children in care to keep in touch with their own family and other important people in their lives
To help children and young people understand and stay in touch with their origins, religion and culture
Helping to promote healthy growth and development and being supportive with education and health
Providing guidance, boundaries and a good example to help children and young people learn appropriate behaviours
Listening to children and young people, speaking up for them and helping them make decisions
Being resilient and adaptable, overcoming set-backs and being prepared to "stick at it"
Helping children and young people to move on or leave care as a positive step forward
Working as part of a team, contributing to plans, reviews and case conferences and sharing information with others as necessary
Keeping good records and being responsible with confidential information
Attending regular training and support sessions to develop your own knowledge and skills

You may have done most or all of these things with your own children or other children you have been involved with but caring for other people’s children is an extra responsibility and an even more complex task. The children and young people bring their own different backgrounds, experiences, hopes and fears with them and it may take a long time to understand their needs and for everyone to adapt and work together.

To find out more, please contact our Head Office on 0844 800 1941 or email fostering@fostercareuk.co.uk, you can also apply online by visiting our foster care recruitment page and completing the application form.