I want to be a foster parent. I live in the UK. How do I go about doing this? Who can I contact?

Question

My husband and I are 31 and 32 years old with two beautiful children of our own.

We would like to be foster parents.

We live in the UK and work from home.

We would love to give a home, whetehr short or long term, to any child who is in need of a loving home.

How can I get started?

Which organisation do I call?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Children who need to fostered can usually come from a disturbed home a home in which they were not getting the care they needed.First you have to ask yourself can you give them that care and in doing so will it disrupt your home and upset your family as it is now.Having access to the Internet is a good place to start I would say find the web sight for adoption and fostering  and start from there.I don't know what it is but I'm sure it won't be to hard to find. I am adopted myself and I know that it won't be easy for you but I wish you well,anyone who is willing to help in such a way as you are deserves praise.So good luck.

Answer 2

me,my nephew when you see him you wouldn't want him,no body else has,the reason i say this is,they are all not what they seem,alot of them have led an unsettled way of life,and for the more experienced carers they can be a hand full,if anything start of small,and work up if you choose,as if your acceptable,they will and do,just palm them off on you,regardless of your commitment,i should know they did with me with 4,for over a year,i was in a new relationship at the time,talk about blackmail it hasn't got a look in,saying that i would do it all again if it kept a family together,i must say it did cause a huge strain on my relationship,and it ended,and the kids have moved on and are now settled,alls well that ends well,just make sure yous both know what exactly your getting into,good luck.

Answer 3

I am american but I suppose you contact local social services or the UK equivalent, fill out paperwork, have a background check, home inspection, interviews, etc.

My parents were FP for Catholic Charities in America, they had to comply with State regulations, and CC rules. I would expect the same in the UK.

Its very admirable of you!

Answer 4

Ideally you should have some experience of already raising your own children, or perhaps of helping a relative or friend to care for theirs. Alternatively you might have work experience with children.

Our foster carers all need –

patience;

perseverance (in abundance!) ;

tolerance and understanding;

the ability to be both firm and flexible as necessary ;

a sense of fair play ;

a sense of fun;

a good sense of humour ;

the ability to communicate.

Many people are involved in children’s lives; parents, relatives, school teachers, social workers and health professionals. Regular meetings will be held in your home , and so it is important that you are able to work as part of a team.

Above all we require that you are child centred in your thinking and genuinely committed to doing the very best for each and every child we place with you.

If you have a spare bedroom we are interested in receiving applications

· whether you have your own children or not

· if you are single, married or living with a partner

· if you are in or out of work

· whether you live in your own home or rent

· whatever your race, religion or sexuality.

If you are interested in fostering for Tree House Care you can ring us on 01472 598 334

Have a look at http://www.communityfostercare.co.uk/

Answer 5

Contact your local council, who should be able to help you.

Good luck, you seem like a lovely family

Answer 6

Contact social services initially.

Think long and hard about the commitment involved and whether you're really up to it. Children coming into care are often deeply troubled and carers need endless patience.

But if you're certain, good luck.

Answer 7

You're local authority - number should be on your Council Tax Bill.   Just ask for the children and families division when you call.

Good luck

Answer 8

You need to conatct your local social services department.

Answer 9

HI!

I was fostered for many years, and my foster carer was single, in her early 30s with no children... she fostered teen.

I would recommend you go to your local council who will be able to point you in the direction of their fostering team (often affiliated with Children's Social Services.

Foster carers usually have a key age they will look accomodate, some only take early years, others teens and any kind of order in between basically. You need to consider the age of your own children, and the effect that fostering may have on them, as well as on your marriage. It's not easy work all the time. All foster kids come with a fair share of troubles and there are bound to be a couple of troubles along the way.

You will go through an extensive and stringent application process to see if you are suitable to care for children. Most applications that will fail, will fail at this point.

You then will be trained, depending on the age of child you choose, and your home will be assessed for any potential dangers that could harm a child. Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted, and your house is in a good state of repair. KITCHENS CLEAN are a must.

Be prepared for a long wait, and be prepared for catty social workers, troubled children, raging parents, and disapproving neighbours who will think those foster kids will smash up every car in the street as soon as those kids are walking. You'll  see it all.

On a serious note though... it's the best gift any person can give. You will be supported by your own social worker (who works with foster carers, and is an advocate for your needs), and your foster children will be subject to frequent reviews, a chance for them to say they aren't happy and leave, but also for you to do the same.

If you can open your home up, then what's stopping you?