In this section

• Overview
• Adoption
• Fostering
  • What is Fostering?
  • Who can Foster?
  • What Support Will I Receive?
  • The Fostering Process
  • Stories from Foster Carers
  • The Children Needing Placement
  • Statement of Purpose
• Residential Care
• Day Care
• Youth and Community Work

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• > Who Can Foster

Who can Foster?

We are looking for foster carers from all sorts of backgrounds. We welcome applications from couples, whether married or unmarried, or in a civil partnership, who have a stable long term relationship; and we welcome applications from single people.

You do not need:

• To own your own home
• Be well off
• Be employed
• Live in a large house

You do need:

• To have enough space to offer children their own bedroom
• Space in which children can pla y
• Patience and time
• Stickability!

You may have your own children, or have children who have grown up and moved away; or you may not have children.

There are no age restrictions on who can foster, but you do need to be in good health, and have enough life experience and energy to help you with the challenges of caring for a child.

You will not be allowed to foster if you have committed any offences against children. Apart from this restriction, anyone can ask to be assessed as a foster carer, regardless of marital status, disability, gender, religion or sexual orientation.