Fostering quiz

Foster Care Roles and Responsibilities

Being a foster parent is about more than opening your home, it’s about creating the stability and care that helps a child move forward. The role carries important responsibilities, but also brings the chance to make a lasting difference in a young person’s life.

Providing Security and Belonging
Children in foster care need a place where they feel safe and accepted. As mentioned earlier, having a  spare bedroom is a prerequisite of being able to offer such a safe and loving home environment. 

Caring for Everyday Needs
From preparing meals and keeping up with school routines to arranging healthcare appointments and making sure they have the right clothes, foster parents take care of the essentials that allow children to grow and thrive.

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing
Nearly every child arriving in foster care will have experienced some form of trauma o difficult. Your role includes helping them feel understood, offering patience, and giving them the reassurance that they are not alone.

Would I Be a Good Foster Parent?

It’s natural to wonder if you’d make a good foster parent. Fostering isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being patient, consistent, and willing to give a child the stability they may never have had before. If you can listen, show empathy, and set safe boundaries, you already have many of the qualities children in foster care need.

Good foster parents come from all walks of life, but what unites them is the ability to offer a secure home, emotional warmth, and the resilience to work through challenges. No one starts out with all the answers, that’s why training and support are there every step of the way.

If you’ve ever caught yourself asking “Would I be a good foster parent?”, this eligibility quiz for fostering is designed to help you reflect honestly on your strengths and where you might need support.

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a foster parent is an important first step. While the expectations may feel big, remember that no one is expected to do it alone, support, training, and guidance are always there to help you succeed.

If you feel ready to find out more, take a look at our How to Become a Foster Parent page, where we guide you through the process step by step. Alternatively, if you’ve got any questions, or would just like to chat to a member of our team, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call on 03300 948816 or fill out the contact form below.

Eligibility Quiz for Fostering FAQs

What are the criteria to be a foster carer?

You need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom, be in good health, and have the time to care for a child. Certain serious convictions or unsuitable housing may prevent you from fostering, but beyond this fostering is open to people from many different backgrounds.

What checks are done to become a foster parent?

When you apply to foster, several checks are carried out to make sure it’s safe and suitable. These include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references from people who know you well, a medical assessment, and a home visit to ensure you have the space and environment a child needs.

What disqualifies you from being a foster carer?

You cannot foster if you have certain serious criminal convictions, especially those involving violence or offences against children. Unsuitable housing or not having a spare bedroom may also prevent approval. Each application is assessed individually, so circumstances are always considered in detail.

Can I foster without a spare room?

No, having a spare bedroom is essential. Every child in foster care needs their own private space to feel safe and secure. Without this, you won’t be able to foster.

How do I know if I should foster? 

If you have the patience, empathy, and stability to support a child through both challenges and achievements, fostering could be right for you. Many people start by asking themselves if they can offer a safe home, consistency, and emotional support. If the answer is yes, fostering may be a good fit.

Would I be good at fostering?

Good foster parents aren’t defined by being perfect, they’re people who can offer patience, stability, and care. If you can listen, provide a safe home, and support a child through ups and downs, you already have the foundations of what makes a great foster carer.