Fostering FAQs

Deciding to become a foster parent is a huge decision. We understand that you will probably have plenty of questions! So, we have gathered some answers for our most commonly asked questions to help you out. Of course, if you can’t find the answer to your question, please get in contact and our friendly members of staff will be happy to assist!  

Fostering 

What is fostering? 

Fostering is when a registered carer looks after a child who can no longer remain with their birth family. There are many types of fostering including short term, long term, respite, emergency and more. The specifics of each fostering placement will be different as no two children or situations are the same. The purpose of fostering is to provide children and young people with a safe, stable and loving home when they need it. 

Why do children need to be fostered? 

Sometimes it is no longer possible for a child to remain under the care of their birth parents. They may be suffering from neglect, abuse, mistreatment or are not being cared for properly. In instances like this, a court may rule that the child be removed from the family home. In other instances, a long-term illness may mean that a child can no longer be cared for by their family. No matter what the individual circumstance, children enter the care system when they need a safe place to be looked after. 

How long does it take to become an approved foster carer? 

The application process varies depending on each prospective carer, but it can normally take anywhere between 3 and 6 months. This may seem like a long time but safeguarding children is at the forefront of everything we do and we need to make sure that you are suited to the role!  

Do I get to choose who I foster? 

During the application process, we will discuss your preferences and interests to get a greater understanding of what type of fostering will best suit you. We always endeavour to match children and young people to carers that will suit them. Plus, you will always be consulted before any decision is made and we encourage you to work with us as part of the team. 

Will I be paid to foster?  

Yes, you are paid a fostering allowance for every child in your care. This allowance is dependent on the age of the child and the degree of care needed to look after them. It is important to remember that if you do not have a child placed with you, you are not paid. Find out more about the foster care allowance here.  

Can I Foster if I Rent My Home?

Yes, you can foster if you rent your home. There’s no legal rule preventing renters from fostering in Wales, but most fostering agencies will ask for confirmation from your landlord that a child can live in the property. As long as you have a stable tenancy, a spare bedroom, and your landlord is happy for you to foster, renting is not a barrier.

Can I Foster if I Work Full Time?

Yes, it is possible to foster if you work full time. What agencies look for is whether you have enough time and flexibility in your week to meet a child’s needs, things like school routines, appointments, and being around when they need you. Your work pattern, support network, and overall availability are what determine whether fostering will be a good fit.

Can I Foster if I am on Benefits?

Yes, you can foster if you are on benefits. Being in receipt of benefits does not prevent you from becoming a foster parent in the UK. Your eligibility is based on your ability to provide a stable, supportive home, not your income level. Foster parents receive fostering allowances, and most benefits are unaffected because fostering payments are treated differently from standard income.

Do Foster Carers Pay Tax?

Yes, foster carers pay tax, but the UK has a specific system that usually means most foster parents either pay very little tax or none at all.

Fostering uses a scheme called Qualifying Care Relief, which gives you:

• a fixed tax exemption of £19,360 per household, plus
  • a weekly allowance for each child you care for.

These allowances mean that many foster carers' fostering income falls below the taxable threshold. If you do exceed it, you only pay tax on the amount above your allowances.

Can I Foster a Baby?

Yes, you can foster a baby, but it depends on the needs of your local authority and whether your circumstances are suited to caring for very young children. Baby placements in the UK are usually part of short-term fostering or parent and child fostering, and they often require a high level of availability because babies need consistent, hands-on care. Agencies will look at your time, flexibility, and support network to decide if a baby placement would be the right match.

Can I Foster Siblings?

Yes, you can foster siblings. Many UK foster parents choose to because it helps brothers and sisters stay together when they come into care. Agencies will look at whether you have enough space, including the right number of bedrooms, and the capacity to meet the needs of each child. If those factors are in place, fostering siblings is absolutely possible.

Do Foster Parents Get Holidays or Time Off?

Yes, foster parents do get time off. In the UK, this is usually arranged through respite care, where another approved foster parent looks after the child for a short period. Respite is planned in advance and used to give foster parents a break, support family commitments, or help manage busy periods. Your agency will talk with you about how respite works and make sure any arrangements support both you and the child.

Can I Foster Long-Term?

Yes, you can foster long term. Long-term fostering in the UK gives a child a stable home for several years, sometimes until adulthood, when returning home or adoption isn’t the right plan. Agencies will look at your stability, space, and commitment to ensure a long-term match is the right fit for you and the child.

What is the Difference Between Fostering and Adoption?

The difference between fostering and adoption in the UK comes down to legal responsibility and permanence. Fostering is arranged by the local authority, which keeps parental responsibility while you provide day-to-day care, often for a temporary period. Adoption is a permanent legal change: parental responsibility transfers fully to the adoptive parents, and the child becomes a legal member of the family for life.

How Do I Start the Process of Becoming a Foster Carer?

You can start the process of becoming a foster carer by making an enquiry with a fostering agency. After an initial conversation to check basic criteria, you’ll have a home visit where you can ask questions and learn more about the role. If you decide to proceed, you’ll begin the assessment, which includes checks, references, training, and regular meetings with your assessing social worker. Once the assessment is complete, your application goes to a fostering panel for approval.

Fostering Agencies  

What is an independent fostering agency? 

An independent fostering agency, sometimes called an IFA, is an agency that works with local authorities to source placements for children who come into the care system. IFA’s are governed by Ofsted and are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations intended to safeguard children. Many people choose to foster with an independent fostering agency, like Family Fostering Partners, as the levels of training and support are often superior to local authorities.  

Can I transfer from one IFA to another?  

Yes, just like with any job, you are free to move if you wish. If you choose to switch fostering agency, you will need to be reassessed and approved with that agency but the process is usually quicker and easier. After all, you’ve already been a carer!  

Requirements to foster 

Do I need any qualifications or skills to foster? 

No, you do not need any formal qualifications or skills to foster. Full training will be provided as well as ongoing training and support as you progress into the role. Some essential qualities that we look out for are a fondness of children, patience, energy and dedication to the role!  

Do I need a spare bedroom? 

Yes, you must have a spare bedroom to foster a child. This is really important as it provides the child or young person with a safe, secure place to call their own. In this time of change and disruption, giving a young person a sense of privacy is essential and a bedroom to call their own will form a big part of this. If you currently do not have a spare bedroom but are looking to move soon, you can still contact us to discuss your next steps.  

Can I foster if I have my own children?  

Yes, you can foster if you have your own children as long as you have a spare bedroom for the foster child. When you apply, we will consider the impact of fostering on your entire family, including your children. We care about the welfare of all children, including your own and they will be involved with the process.  

Can I foster if I'm gay or a member of the LGBTQ+ community?  

Yes, we encourage anyone with an interest in fostering to apply! It doesn’t matter how you identify as long as you have the time, space and ability to care for a child or young person.  

Is there an age limit to foster? 

No, there is a minimum requirement that you are aged above 21 years old but there is no upper age limit. As long as you are fit enough to provide good quality care to a child then you are eligible to foster.  

Can I foster if I'm single or married?  

Yes, anyone can foster if they are single or married. If you are single, you must not be working full time and you must have enough time in your life to care for a young person. If you are married, then both you and your spouse will need to be assessed when you apply.

Can I Foster if I am Self Employed?

Yes, you can foster if you are self-employed. Many self-employed people foster in the UK. The key consideration is whether your work pattern gives you enough time and flexibility to meet a child’s needs. Financial stability will also be discussed during assessment, but self-employment itself is not a barrier to fostering.

Can I Foster if I Have Pets?

Yes, you can foster if you have pets. Many foster families in the UK do. As part of the assessment, the agency will look at your pets’ temperament and behaviour to make sure they’re safe around children. Pets often have a positive impact, but the priority is always a child’s safety and wellbeing.

Can I Foster if I Have a Disability or Health Condition?

Yes, you can foster if you have a disability or health condition. In the UK, having a disability does not prevent you from becoming a foster parent. What matters is how well you manage your condition and whether you can meet a child’s day-to-day needs. During assessment, your agency will look at your overall health, support network, and the stability of your condition, not the diagnosis itself.