How to Foster a Child into a Military Family

Military families possess many qualities that make them well-suited to become foster carers. Whether you're currently serving in the military or have a history of military service, becoming a foster carer and fostering; be that on a respite basis or fostering as a full time job, can be an incredibly rewarding journey that aligns with your unique lifestyle and experiences. In this blog, we'll explore how to foster a child and how to become a foster carer as part of a military family.  

How to foster a child when in the Forces: Can you Become a Foster Carer When in the Forces? 

Yes, you absolutely can! Being in the forces or part of a military family doesn’t exclude you from becoming a foster carer. Independent Fostering agencies like Family Fostering Partners carefully assess each family’s circumstances to ensure fostering is a good fit for both you, your family, and when you become a foster carer – the children you’ll come to care for.  

The key in this assessment is stability. We want the children in our care to avoid moving around as much as possible – something which military families often face. However, if you're not on active deployment, or one partner is based at home while the other serves, becoming a foster carer or fostering as a full time job could be a fantastic way to support children in need. 

How to Foster a Child and Become a Foster Carer If You Are Currently Part of a Military Family 

If you’re an active military family, becoming a foster carer is still possible with the right support and planning. Here’s how to foster a child if you are currently part of a Military Family: 

• Non-Deployed Partners: If one partner is home while the other is stationed elsewhere, fostering can fit into your routine. Fostering as your full time job is entirely possible in this situation.  

• Flexible Placements: Short-term or respite care can align with the commitments of military life. Long-term placements may also be viable, depending on your situation. 

• Matching for Stability: At Family Fostering Partners we prioritise matching children with families who can provide consistent care, ensuring their emotional and physical needs are met so that children can achieve their full potential.  

At Family Fostering Partners, children are at the heart of everything that we do. We understand the idiosyncrasies of military life and would be happy to discuss your own unique situation to find out if fostering as a full time job or becoming a foster carer could be the right fit for you. 

The Importance of Careful Matching 

Matching is a critical part of the fostering process, especially for military families. At Family Fostering Partners, we take the time to understand your lifestyle, preferences, and capabilities, to find the best fit for both you and the young person you’ll come to care for.  

Another important factor will be how long you plan to stay in your current location – for example, if your family is soon to relocate, you could become a foster carer to foster children and provide respite care, however fostering on a long term basis may not be the best match for you.  If you are due to relocate in 5 years and want to offer short term or respite care in the interim, with careful matching, this is entirely possible. To understand how to become a foster carer and how to foster a child, it's important to understand the different types of placement:

• Short-Term Placements: These can range from a few weeks to several months and are ideal for families with more dynamic schedules. 

• Respite Placements: Designed to provide temporary care for children while their usual caregivers take a break. This can be in a planned way or in an emergency situation. 

• Long-Term Placements: Suitable for families with a stable base and the capacity to offer a child consistent support until they are an adult. 

Careful matching ensures that the young people in our collective care receive the stability and love they need to thrive, even in the unique circumstances of military life. For children who are looked after, we want them to feel safe, stable, and secure in their surroundings, which is why when their care plan is long term, it’s important that they have that stability within their fostering family.

Click here to hear from some of our fostering families, and what they have to say about providing safety and stability to the children in their care.

Benefits of Fostering if You Have Previous Military Experience 

Many skills developed during military service mirror the qualities needed to become a foster carer: 

• Empathy and Understanding: Military life often involve moves and separations, enabling you to relate to children who have experienced similar upheaval. 

• Structure and Routine: Children who are looked after often thrive when provided with clear boundaries and routine, something military families are well-equipped to offer. 

• Teamwork and Adaptability: The ability to navigate challenges and work collaboratively is invaluable when fostering. Strong communication is an integral part of becoming a foster carer and particularly fostering as a full time job. 

 Fostering as a Full-Time Job 

Fostering offers a meaningful and flexible career path for military families. Becoming a foster carer and fostering as a full time job means that you’ll provide the daily care, emotional support, and structure that children need to thrive.  

Financial allowances help cover the costs of raising a child, but the rewards go far beyond financial considerations—making a positive difference in a child’s life is an incredibly fulfilling role. Click here to hear from Former Lance Corporal Tyler Christopher and about his experiences fostering teenagers on a Long Term basis.  

How to Get Started 

If you’re considering becoming a foster carer and fostering as a military family, the first step is to reach out to us. We will talk to you about your unique circumstances, and if appropriate, guide you through the process to become a foster carer and tell you everything you need to know about how to foster a child. This process includes: 

1. Initial Enquiry: Learn more about what fostering involves and whether it fits your current circumstances. Click here to contact us or use the ‘Let’s Chat’ button in the bottom right hand corner. 

1. Application Process: Complete the application form, and with support from your assessing social worker, undergo the fostering assessment.  

1. Training and Support: Attend our ‘Skills to Foster Course’ to build the skills and knowledge needed. 

1. Approval and Matching: Once approved, Family Fostering Partners will work to match you with a child that suits your family dynamics and circumstances. 

If you’re ready to become a foster carer or want to know more about how to foster a child as a full-time job, contact Family Fostering Partners today. Together, we can make a lasting difference in a child’s life