Become a Foster Parent

Fostering is a big decision, so we completely understand that you may have many questions about fostering. Below are our most commonly asked questions, from "can I foster if i have pets?" to "can I foster a baby?"

You are also welcome to contact us if you have any questions that are not answered here

How long does it take to foster?

On average it can take around 4 months (16 weeks) from your initial enquiry to being approved as a Foster Parent. The more time you are able to give during your assessment process, the quicker the process will be in order to foster a child.

Can I foster if I work full-time?

We believe that at least one Foster Parent in the household should be at home on a full time basis, and in By the Bridge it is a requirement. This is to ensure that a child or young person in your care is looked after in the best way possible.

You’ll need to be able to get a child to and from school and social activities, as well as caring for them during weekends and school holidays. You’ll also need to be able to attend By the Bridge training courses and supervision groups with the other foster parents in your locality, as well as have the time to attend the meetings which are held to review your foster child’s progress.

We believe that it's important that foster parents are given financial payments that cover the costs of caring for children or young people and also provide a professional fee for their work, thus enabling them to commit to foster parenting as a full time career.

Can I foster a child if I have pets?

Like any family, many foster families also have pets. Pets can provide a very therapeutic environment for children and young people. However, all pets within the home will also be assessed in terms of the risk that they may present.

In regards to dogs, Local Authorities will not allow a foster child or young person to be placed with a household that has:

• any breed of dog which is highlighted within the Dangerous Dogs Act
• any household with more than three dogs

Can I foster if I already have children?

Of course! Having your own children is a great way to gain the experience you need to become a Foster Parent. 

If you do have your own children living at home, we’ll carefully consider their needs when matching you with looked after children and young people. It is important that the needs of all children, both your own and fostered are met. 

 In any family, new additions bring about changes and the need for adjustments. Everyone in the household will play their part in making a difference to foster children who join your family and to help make a child feel welcome and valued. 

Our inclusive culture means that the whole foster family is valued and we organise plenty of events and activities throughout the year for everyone to enjoy and take part in, including staff and their children. We hold co-Foster Parent and children who foster groups too, to make sure everyone is happy and involved.

It is a good idea to prepare your family for the important work you will be doing, and to share your motivations with them so that they can understand and support you.

Can I foster a baby or young child?

In the UK, about only six percent of the children in foster care are under the age of one. Often children under one are short term placements because they are waiting for adoption or a more permanent setting.

The majority of children in foster care nationally are over 11 years old. In By the Bridge the majority of children in our care are aged over 8 years old, the average age of our foster children being 12 years old.

By the Bridge Foster Parents can work as 'parent and baby' fosterers, but this not our core work. Fostering a parent and baby is unlike other fostering, because the parent is responsible for the baby or child’s care. As a 'parent and baby' Foster Parent, your role is to advise and support them to do it. 

How many children can I foster?

Families are approved to care for a certain number of children, this depends of course on the space you have in your home.

Most By the Bridge families are approved to care for one or two children, but we do have some who are approved for three or more. Each year the approval is reviewed and it is possible to change the approval if the circumstances in the foster home change, such as an extra bedroom becoming available.

Remember – you’ll need to have a spare bedroom available for each child unless you foster siblings of the same gender, where it will sometimes be possible for them to share a room.

What age of child would I foster?

We provide care to children and young people from 0-18 years with all types of needs. There are many types of fostering our foster families provide, both short and long term.

The majority of children in foster care nationally are over 11 years old. In By the Bridge the majority of children in our care are aged over 8 years old, the average age of our foster children being 12 years old.

There is so much more to fostered children than the difficult things that have happened in their lives - special qualities and characteristics just like any other child.

Often, nobody has taken the trouble to find out what those special qualities are, and one of the richest rewards in fostering is to go on that journey of discovery with a child or young person, and help them discover who they are and what they are capable of.

Can I foster if I am renting my home?

As long as you have a spare bedroom and space for a child, your home can be rented or owned.

If your home is rented, you will need to seek the permission of your landlord before you begin the assessment process.

Can a foster child share a bedroom?

The vast majority of children requiring foster care are at an age where they would need their own space. This is especially important for foster children, who may have experienced traumatic situations and are having to adapt to life in a new house with different people and routines. In a time of turmoil and uncertainty, having their own space can be extremely comforting for foster children. 

That’s why we’ll only place a foster child or young person in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom.

it is sometimes possible for foster siblings of the same gender to share a bed-room but this will be according to the Local Authorities approval.

Can I foster if I don't have a spare bedroom?

The vast majority of children requiring foster care are at an age where they would need their own space. This is especially important for foster children, who may have experienced traumatic situations and are having to adapt to life in a new house with different people and routines. In a time of turmoil and uncertainty, having their own space can be extremely comforting for foster children. 

That’s why we’ll only place a foster child or young person in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom.

Can I foster if I smoke?

The health needs of any fostered child need to come first. We do accept Foster Parents that smoke. Although you would not be able to foster children under the age of  five years old or those with certain disabilities.

The key aspects of our smoking policy are: 

• It is essential that our foster homes are smoke free and that no-one smokes in the home
• Foster Parents are in a position of trust and a position as a positive role modelling and should therefore lead by example
• Smoking in a car where a child is present is illegal and forbidden within our policy

We would encourage you to stop smoking for your own health and to minimise the effect of passive smoking on a young person, as well as presenting a positive role model for any child you look after.

What does a Foster Parent do?

As a Foster Parent, you’ll be looking after another person’s child in your own home. Like any child or young person they need stability, security and a chance to develop and thrive. A Foster Parent will have a huge impact on a child’s lives, helping them to improve their self-esteem, make better choices and to go on to have a safer and happier future.

 The role of a Foster Parent is to: 

• Provide support - Foster parents are expected to do all they can to support children and young people in their education, look after their health and promote their social wellbeing 

• Attend meetings and manage information – Along with day-to-day care of a child, foster parents attend meetings about the children in their care, keep written records, and manage information that is confidential and sensitive. There are also monthly meetings with other Foster Parents 

• Manage behaviour - fostered children and young people can display different behaviours as a way of coping with their experiences. A foster parent needs to recognise the possible causes of this kind of behaviour and, with the support of By the Bridge, develop strategies to help a child manage their feelings and experiences

•  Manage relationships - Foster Parents must be able to communicate effectively, not only with children and young people but with a network of people who are involved with the wellbeing of the children 

• Attend Training - Foster Parents will develop skills and knowledge so they feel secure and confident in their work with continuous training.

Can I foster a child if I don't drive?

It is really important that you can meet all of the needs of the child when fostering with us. It is an expectation that By the Bridge Foster Parents are able to transport children and young people to and from school and other important appointments including supervision, training etc so you will need to be able to demonstrate how you will do this during the application stage.

Please be aware a lot of our offices are also in rural locations where public transport links are limited.

Am I too old to foster?

Life experience is a great asset for anyone looking to become a Foster Parent. As long as you are over the age of 25 years old, age should not prevent you from making an enquiry into fostering. However, anyone looking to fostering, irrespective of age, will need to prove that they are in a good standard of physical and mental health.

Our Foster Parents come from all walks of life and are all ages. It is important that you have the experience and stability in your life to be able to support a child or young person.

Do I need qualifications to foster?

You don’t need any previous training or formal qualifications to foster, but you will need to be prepared to learn new things. Although you may have specific skills, experience or qualifications that will be valuable to fostering. However, your life experience is one of the most valuable resources you can bring to fostering. 

At By the Bridge we need enthusiastic, committed and caring people. You won't be on your own though, we'll provide you with dynamic, interesting training and lots of support so you'll feel secure in your work.

You will have the opportunity to study for qualifications whilst you are fostering with us too. Also, as you complete your training as a Foster Parent, along with meeting other criteria, you have the opportunity to apply for promotion to higher pay grades. 

Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?

A criminal conviction doesn’t automatically rule you out of fostering, but you must declare all the details to us. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on you and anyone else in the household aged 17 or over.

Each application will be considered individually but we’ll not progress your application where there are convictions for offences against children or other serious offences.

How old do I need to be to foster a child?

We encourage those looking to foster to be over the age of 25 years old.

It is important that you have the experience and stability in your life to be able to emotionally support a child, as well as the physical health and energy to keep up with them.

Can I foster if I am single?

Absolutely, you can still foster a child if you're single.

Whether you are single or a couple, the key thing to remember is that you’re never on your own because as a By the Bridge Foster Parent, you are part of a strong fostering network.

Whether you’re a single parent or you’re simply a single person, you will receive financial support, 24/7 support and training to help you afford to look after children in your care and commit to fostering full-time.

As a Foster Parent it's really useful to have: a good support network of friends and/or family around you; experience and stability in your life and energy to keep up with a foster child or young person!

Can I foster a child if I have a baby?

Having a baby brings many changes to you and your family’s life. While this does not necessarily preclude you from fostering, we'll need be sure that you can meet the needs of both your own baby and any potential foster child.

Can I foster if I'm not a parent already?

Although having your own children is a great way to gain experience and knowledge, you don't have to be a parent to foster a child.

At By the Bridge we'll provide you with dynamic, interesting training and lots of support so you'll feel secure in your work.

As a Foster Parent we need you to:

• Be able to build good relationships with children and others around you
• Can see the potential in every child you foster
• Are reliable through a child's good times and tough times 
• Can offer a secure, loving and caring home for a foster child

Can I foster a child if I am gay?

Absolutely. Gender, religious, cultural, race or sexual orientation does not rule you out from fostering.

Our Foster Parents come from all walks of life. All that matters is you have the experience and stability in your life to be able to support a child.  

Can I foster if I'm not married?

We welcome applications from people who are single, living together, married, divorced or separated. Whether you are single or a couple it's really useful to have a good support network.

If you’ve only been in a relationship for a short time and are considering fostering as a couple, we’d suggest that you are in a stable situation (living together) for at least 12-18 months before you start the fostering process.

Fostering will have an impact on your home life, so it's important to be settled in your relationship before starting the assessment process.

Does a foster child have to be younger than my own children?

No, a foster child doesn't have to be younger than your own children for you to be able to foster with us. We carefully match all of our children to the right families and take into consideration the age and sex of your birth children when placing a child in your care.

As long as you are open to chidren aged between 8-17 years old and have a spare bedroom then the age of your own children shouldn't be an issue when looking to foster with By the Bridge. 

What is the difference between fostering and adoption?

Whilst fostering and adoption may at first glance seem fairly similar, the difference between the two is predominantly differentiated by permanency and parental rights.

Long-term fostering and adoption both involve providing a permanent home for a young person, however adoption is a process which legally removes the rights and responsibilities of the child’s birth parent(s), and transfers them to adoptive parent(s).

With fostering on the other hand, the child remains the legal responsibility of the council and/or their birth parent(s) – with the child normally in foster care until the age of 18. Foster children can potentially return home or go to live with family members, whereas adopted children would not necessarily return home or live with other biological family members.