Can you be a single foster parent?

Fostering as a single person

Fostering is a very rewarding experience. But it can also be challenging, so it’s important to make sure you have the time and resources to be the best foster carer you can be. This includes having other people around you, like friends or family, who will support you. As a single foster parent this is particularly important.

Like anyone interested in becoming a foster parent, you’ll also need to meet certain criteria before you’re approved.

Minimum criteria for fostering

To be considered for fostering, you’ll need to meet some minimum criteria.

You’ll need to:

• Be 21 years old or above
• Be able to pass an enhanced DBS check
• Have a spare room for a foster child

As well as these basic criteria, you should also be wholeheartedly committed to the fostering process.

Support and resource criteria

Before committing to fostering, you need to consider:

• Your health: do you have any health conditions that could make it difficult for you to look after a foster child? Having a health condition or disability doesn’t mean you can’t foster – you’ll be assessed based on your specific situation.
• Your financial situation: can you afford to foster a child full-time by reducing working hours or giving up work? If not, could you consider respite fostering where a child would stay with you at weekends or in the school holidays?
• Your home: is your home safe and suitable for a foster child? Do you have any pets who would need to be assessed?
• Your support network: do you have friends or family who can support you? As a single foster parent you must be able to prove you have a strong support network to help with the responsibility of fostering.
• Any previous experience you have with children and young adults: this might be in your job (e.g. as a teacher, social worker or childminder) or looking after the children of friends or relatives.

When you enquire with us, we’ll take you through these questions and help you to understand if fostering is right for you, right now.

Can I work if I’m a single foster carer?

As a single foster parent you have two choices for working and fostering:

• You can foster as your full time role: this means that instead of having another job, you focus all your time and energy on looking after your foster children. Instead of a salary, you’ll be paid a weekly allowance for your time and skills. Learn more about foster care pay.
• You can do respite fostering: this means you can continue with your regular job and offer weekend breaks to our foster carers who need a little extra support. We also have requests for help in the school holidays where you’ll get to spend extra time with the foster children in your care. You’ll be paid a fostering allowance based on the number of nights you provide care. Learn more about respite foster care.

Can you foster as a single parent?

Single parents from all backgrounds are eligible to foster. In fact, the flexibility of fostering can work well for single parents, especially if you are unable to work a traditional 9-5 job because of childcare commitments. Single parents often make good candidates for foster care because they have experience of parenting and are able to fully commit to a fostering role for one or more children.

Fostering is a professional commitment and career path. So as a single foster parent you will receive a fostering allowance – this payment reflects your responsibilities as a carer and the specialist skills you bring. Learn more about foster care pay.

Take the next step to becoming a single foster parent

When you foster with National Fostering Group, you’re never on your own: you’ll be part of a strong fostering network with 24-hour support, local professionals on hand and locally-delivered training. Learn more about becoming a foster carer and take the next step in your fostering career.