Frequently Asked Questions

Fostering Questions

1. Who can become a carer?
2. I'm 56 – am I too old to foster?
3. Can I foster if I live in rented accommodation?
4. I'm not married – can I foster?
5. Can I foster if I'm in a same sex relationship?
6. Can I foster if I smoke?
7. I have no previous experience of fostering children – does this matter?
8. I'm out of work – can I still foster?
9. Can I continue to work outside the home?
10. If I already have children of my own, can I still foster? Will this be problematic?
11. Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?
12. What are the main reasons I would not be able to apply to Worcestershire County Council as a foster carer?
13. What if I decide that fostering isn't for me?
14. What type of information will be asked of me/us during the assessment process?
15. How can I get more information on fostering?
16. I've read the pack and done my research. What's the next step?
17. Is there any reason I may not be considered for Fostering?

Answers

1. Q. Who can become a carer?
   A. We are seeking to recruit a range of families to join our pool of experienced foster carers. We want to make sure that every child who needs to be placed is suitably matched with a family which can meet the child's individual needs. It is important for us to recruit foster carers who have a variety and breadth of knowledge, skills and experience, which will help them to meet the children's complex needs. We will work alongside you, preparing and supporting you to provide what the children need.
   
   People who foster for Worcestershire County Council are all different – We are looking for people who are:
   
   
   • Over 21
   • Married, single or in a partnership, including a same sex relationship
   • Any race or ethnic origin
   • In or out of work
   • Practising a religion, or not
   • Disabled or non-disabled
   • Living in their own home or rented accommodation, but must have a spare bedroom available
     
     
2. Q. I'm 56 – am I too old to foster?
   A. The youngest age at which you can foster is 21: there is no upper age limit. However you will need energy and stamina to keep up with the children or young people placed with you. People of all ages can, and do successfully foster.
   
   
3. Q. Can I foster if I live in rented accommodation?
   A. You can foster whether you are renting or own your own home – just as long as you can provide a secure and stable environment for a  child or children. Each foster child will need their own bedroom, as it is important for each child to have their own space.
   
   
4. Q. I'm not married – can I foster?
   A. Yes - you can foster whether you are married, single, in a civil partnership, living with a partner or divorced. We do expect that couples will have spent some time living together if they are going to foster as a couple. This is because it's important that you understand each other well, know how you will both cope with pressures and have worked through the personal issues that come with sharing your life and home with someone new. We would expect that you will have lived together for a minimum of 2 years.
   
   
5. Q. Can I foster if I'm in a same sex relationship?
   A. Yes - Worcestershire County Council needs to attract foster carers from a wide variety of backgrounds in order to meet the needs of the children. We encourage all sections of the community to consider fostering, value diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity.
   
   
6. Q. Can I foster if I smoke?
   A. Worcestershire County Council's policy states that children should not be placed in a smoking household when they are under 5 years old, disabled or suffering from heart disease, glue ear or respiratory problems such as asthma. Guidelines state that an individual cannot be classed as a non-smoker until they have been given-up for a minimum of 12 months. Children older than 5 can be placed in smoking households, but foster carers are required to smoke outside only.
   
   
7. Q. I have no previous experience of fostering children – does this matter?
   A. No previous experience of fostering is necessary but knowledge and experience of dealing with children or young people is vital. This experience may have been gained from raising your own children, or indeed from working with children in an educational or childcare environment. There is a lot of support and training available for first time foster carers.
   
   
8. Q. I'm out of work – can I still foster?
   A. Yes – we welcome people from all backgrounds, regardless of their employment or financial status.
   
   
9. Q. Can I continue to work outside the home?
   A. Yes – just as long as you can provide time and space as these are important to a child, especially when they are young. We would expect a foster carer to be at home if they care for pre-school children. A carer would need to be available for school age children if they were ill and during school holidays. Foster carers will also need to attend meetings with social workers during normal working hours.
   
   
10. Q. If I already have children of my own, can I still foster? Will this be problematic?
    A. We actively encourage people with parenting experience. Your children will be included in the assessment process, as it is the whole family who fosters. If your own children are very young then we may suggest that you should wait until they are a little older before you start fostering. However we can discuss this in more detail when you enquire.
    
    
11. Q. Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?
    A. People with minor convictions can foster a child or children, but much depends on the seriousness of the offence, how long ago the crime was committed and how you have lived your life since. People with convictions for violent or sexual offences against children will not be considered as foster carers.
    
    
12. Q. What are the main reasons I would not be able to apply to Worcestershire County Council as a foster carer?
    A. There are very few restrictions at the initial enquiry stage, although reasons may be identified at a later stage once you start the assessment process. However we would not be able to consider you for fostering if:
    • You are under 21 year of age
    • You do not have a spare room in your property
    • You, or a member of your household over the age of 18, works for Worcestershire County Council's Safeguarding & Services to Children & Young People Service
    • You or your partner has a criminal record for a violent or sexual offence against a child.
    
    
13. Q. What if I decide that fostering isn't for me?
    A. You can withdraw from the process at any point, should you decide that fostering isn't for you. You can talk through any concerns you have with your social worker and they will advise you. Sometimes you may want to take some time to think things over before you progress to the next stage. This is fine too and the whole process can go at a speed that suits you. The assessment process should be an open and honest discussion, so you should feel comfortable asking your social worker questions throughout.
    
14. Q. What type of information will be asked of me/us during the assessment process?
    A. A wide range of subjects will be covered during the assessment process in order for your social worker to gain a complete picture of you and your family and how you will approach the task of fostering. These are just some of the topics that will be covered: Family life, your support network, education and employment, health, past relationships, parenting capacity, family history.
    
16. Q. How can I get more information on fostering?
    A. You can download a full Fostering Information Pack from the Documents section on the right of this page. You can also visit external websites such as The Fostering Network and the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), which will provide you with general advice about fostering. Our Fostering Advisers can also be contacted by calling the Freephone No.: 0800 028 2158
    
18. Q. I've read the pack and done my research. What's the next step?
    A. Once you've read the pack and feel your ready to take the next step you can register your interest either by calling the freephone No.: 0800 028 2158 or by completing the online enquiry form. Find out how to do this through the Register your Interest today.
    
20. Q. Is there any reason I may not be considered for Fostering?
    A. There are no hard and fast rules regarding fostering - our priority is to ensure that you are able to provide a safe, secure, supportive and caring environment for our looked after young people, regardless of your relationship status, ethnicity, religion, employment status, age, sexual orientation or home-owner situation.
    The only three requirements that we have from our foster carers are that:
    • You have a spare bedroom in your home
    • You are over 21
    • You appreciate that you are committing to fostering full-time, not just at weekends (it is possible to work part-time - this can be discussed with the social worker/fostering adviser).

This page was last reviewed 22 April 2013 at 15:26.
The page is next due for review 19 October 2014.