Who can foster?

Who can foster a child will be one of the initial searches you do when you are curious about beginning your journey. You need to immediately determine whether this is something you’re eligible for, so you don’t waste time wondering what’s possible. 

Luckily, if you’re researching foster care requirements, you’ll find there are fewer barriers to becoming a foster parent than you might have first thought. There are a number of myths floating around online, but we are here to dispel them! Being a foster parent is all about who you are as a person. The children referred to Family Fostering Partners come from a wide range of backgrounds, which is why we value and welcome foster parents from all walks of life.

Basic Foster Care Requirements

• To foster, you need to be over 21
• You must have a spare bedroom, and the time and space in your life to care for a child.
• Beyond that, almost anyone can foster. It doesn’t matter if you’re single or married, gay or straight, religious or not, we’d love to hear from you.
• What matters most is that you share our commitment to giving children and young people in care the future they deserve.
• To foster in Wales uou must be a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. This requirement helps ensure long-term stability and security for the child in your care.
• The only exceptions are certain criminal convictions that would automatically disqualify someone from being able to care safely for a child.

Favourable Criteria to be a Foster Parent

Meeting the basic foster care requirements is one thing, but fostering is about much more than ticking boxes. When exploring who can foster a child, it’s your personality, values, and environment that truly matter. During the assessment process, we’ll get to know you in more depth and explore things like:

• Personal Qualities: Patience, warmth, and emotional strength go a long way. Being young at heart, fun-loving, and calm under pressure are all valuable traits.
• Financial Stability: You don’t need to be wealthy, but you do need to be financially secure. We recognise fostering as a professional role and provide a competitive income to reflect that. You can find more on this in our Foster Carer Pay section.
• Home Environment: Your home should be safe and welcoming. Pets are welcomed, but they’ll also be part of the assessment to ensure a careful matching.
• Health and Work: You'll need to be physically and mentally  able to balance any work commitments with the responsibilities of fostering.
  Background Checks: Serious offences, such as crimes against children or sexual offences, will prevent someone from fostering. Other convictions may not rule you out, but will be carefully reviewed as part of the process.

The Role of Training and Support in Fostering

All new applicants take part in our introductory training course, Skills to Foster, but that’s just the starting point. We provide comprehensive, ongoing training and support throughout your entire fostering journey. This ensures every foster parent is equipped to meet the challenges of the role and provide the best possible care.

Our training covers a wide range of topics, including the effects of trauma, managing challenging behaviour, and supporting a child’s education and emotional wellbeing.

Support doesn’t stop at training. You’ll have access to a dedicated team of social workers and link workers, as well as a wider community of foster carers who truly understand what it’s like. And to give you even more reassurance, every foster parent with us also receives membership to FosterTalk, a not-for-profit organisation offering additional guidance, resources, and expert advice.

Can I Foster if…?

When it comes to who can foster a child, the answer is: far more people than you might expect. Below are some of the most common questions we receive about foster care requirements, along with clear and reassuring answers.

• I’m gay or bisexual?
  Your sexual orientation has no bearing on your ability to foster. If you can offer a safe, loving home, you’re welcome to apply. 
• I’m transgender?
  Yes, absolutely. Your gender identity does not affect your ability to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for a child. 
• English isn’t my first language?
  That’s not a problem. As long as you have a good level of spoken English to communicate with professionals and support a child’s education, you can foster. In fact, being multilingual can be an asset, especially for children who speak the same language. 
• I practice a religion?
  Your religion, or lack of religious belief, won’t prevent you from fostering. In many cases, shared beliefs can help match children with families that reflect their values. All we ask is that you’re open to discussing different views in a respectful, inclusive way. 
• I’m single?
  You don’t need to be married or in a relationship to foster. Many brilliant foster carers are single and provide wonderful homes to children. 
• I’m a single man?
  Yes, single men can foster too. What matters is your ability to offer safety, care, and consistency. 
• I have a new partner?
  If you're in a new relationship, we usually ask that you’ve been together for at least a year before applying. Fostering can be challenging, and it’s important that your relationship is stable and ready for that responsibility. 
• I’m over 60?
  Age is not a barrier to fostering. The average age of foster parents in the UK is 55. As long as you’re fit and healthy enough to care for a child, you can apply. 
• I have a criminal record?
  A past conviction won’t necessarily rule you out. We’ll talk through your specific situation during the assessment. Offences involving children or sexual offences will disqualify  you from fostering, but other convictions are considered on a case-by-case basis. 
• I don’t have children of my own?
  You don’t need to have raised children to foster. Full training and support are provided to help you develop the skills and confidence you need.

What to Consider When Thinking of Fostering

Fostering does come with a large number of roles and responsibilities. It’s not just about offering a child a place to stay, it’s about becoming a consistent, safe, and supportive presence in their life. That means being emotionally available, patient, resilient, and ready to advocate for their needs.

If you feel like you’re the kind of person who fits that description, then fostering could be a fantastic path for you. Before you apply, it’s also important to think about a few practical factors, including your physical and mental health and wellbeing, your financial situation, and your ability to travel.

Looking after a child can be physically and emotionally demanding, so you’ll need to consider how this may affect you.. In most cases, you’ll also need access to a vehicle to take the child to school, health appointments, contact visits, or meetings. While areas like Cardiff, Swansea, and Carmarthenshire are well served by public transport, relying solely on buses or trains may not be feasible if you live in more rural areas.

Although foster carers do receive a fostering allowance, it's still essential to assess your own financial stability to ensure you're in a secure position to support a child and provide a consistent, reliable home environment.

If you meet the essential foster care requirements and feel ready to take the next step, we’d love to hear from you. The first thing to do is get in touch, just visit our Contact Us page, give us a call on 0330 0948816, drop us an email at info@familyfosteringpartners.co.uk, or use the live chat feature on our site. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through the early stages of the application process.

Fostering is a real commitment, one that takes empathy, resilience, and a willingness to support a child through life’s ups and downs. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do. Providing a stable, loving home can change a child’s life, and it can change yours too. If you’re still weighing up the decision, it might help to read more about why people choose to foster, and what motivates so many of our carers to open their homes and hearts.

Who Can Foster a Child FAQs

Who can't foster a child?

In Wales, people with certain criminal convictions, those without a stable home or spare bedroom, or those without the right to live and work in the UK cannot foster.

What qualifications do I need to be a foster parent?

You don’t need formal qualifications to be a foster parent, just the right personal qualities, a spare bedroom, and a commitment to care for a child.

What health conditions stop you from fostering?

Health conditions that would prohibit you from being able to safely care for a child, physically or emotionally, may prevent you from fostering. Each case is assessed individually.

Can you foster if you have depression?

Yes, you can foster if you have depression, as long as it’s well managed and doesn’t affect your ability to care for a child. This will be discussed during your assessment.

Can I foster without a spare room?

No, you must have a spare bedroom to foster. This gives a child their own space, which is essential for their privacy, comfort, and sense of security.

Can you foster and work full time?

You can absolutely  foster and work full time, bear in mind that you will require  flexibility to attend meetings or training. This will be discussed as part of your assessment.