Find out if you could be a foster carer
In a few simple questions, you’ll know if you’re suitable to apply to become a foster carer.
One of the fundamentals of applying to become a foster carer is that you are able to provide a child you are caring for with a bedroom all of their own. This is so they feel safe and protected. During the application process you will specify what age and gender of children you would like to care for and when it comes to preparing a room for the child’s arrival, this can help a little. However, as each and every child is different and has differing interests, priorities and needs, it can be tricky to ready a room in a way that exactly matches their requirements. With this in mind, preparing a room for foster placements can be hard and in many ways is something that should be approached with a flexible, adaptable attitude as making the bedroom a happy place to be goes beyond decorating.
An important part of being a foster parent is nurturing children and helping them to develop their own character and interests. Team sports are known to have lots of benefits for children and can help foster children in particular to acquire new skills and build confidence.
Holidays are part of family life, and in many cases you will find you are not only able to take foster children on holiday with you but are encouraged and supported to do so.
Approved foster carers have the freedom to change the fostering agency they belong to if they so wish. This right is supported by The Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol 2014, which was developed in a partnership between The Fostering Network and the joint forum of independent fostering providers, with the support of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.
Your duties as a foster parent start as soon as a child walks through the door, so it is important that the child feels welcome and relaxed from day one. Each child brings their own challenges and rewards and provides a different experience of being a foster carer.
We hold a variety of events throughout the year which include every part of you family and any Looked After Children. This includes training days, carer support groups, children’s events, carer consultations and Christmas events.
It is a common misconception that you cannot become a foster carer if you are over the age of 55. In fact, a large proportion of our carers across NFA are of this age and above and use their vast life experiences when it comes to caring for their foster children.
The arrival of a foster child is an exciting time for any household, and key to creating a smooth transition period is preparation.
