• Do I need a spare bedroom for each foster child?
• Who can foster?
• What is the difference between fostering and adoption?
• At what age can I foster?
• Can I foster children if I'm single, gay or lesbian?
• How much will I be told about the foster child or young person?
• Can I choose the age or sex of the foster child or children?
• Can I choose how long the foster placement will be?
• How will fostering affect my children?
• What will I get paid?
• Will I have to pay tax?
• Do I need previous experience of fostering?
• What if a foster placement doesn't work out?
• What if someone in my household smokes?
• Can I continue working in my current job and also be a foster carer?
• What if I am already a foster carer for another agency?
Do I need a spare bedroom for each foster child?
Yes, each foster child needs a room of their own, though very young brothers or sisters can share a room if the foster placement is a sibling group.
Who can foster?
Foster carers come from all walks of life, but you need to be physically able and have the time available in your life to care for a child.
Due to the emotional toll on carers, we recommend that you do not apply if you are pregnant or undergoing IVF treatment, going through a divorce, trying to adopt a child or have had a recent personal trauma.
What is the difference between fostering and adoption?
Adoption is becoming the legal parent of a child who can't live with his or her parents or family.
Fostering is looking after someone else's child. Although some children are fostered until they grow up, most return to their families.
At what age can I foster?
You need to be over 21, but we would expect a level of maturity and life experience before considering a young adult as a foster carer. There is no upper age limit. As long as you have the energy and commitment, you can foster.
Can I foster children if I'm single, gay, lesbian or transgender?
Whatever your personal circumstances, background or sexuality, you can usually become a foster carer.
How much will I be told about the foster child or young person?
We will talk to you about the foster placement, giving you as much information as possible beforehand. After all, you are the one who decides whether or not to go ahead with it. We will tell you about the young person, their background, any difficult behaviour, and how to manage it.
Can I choose the age or sex of the foster child or children?
Yes. Some foster parents prefer to work with teenagers, while others do better with younger children. You can specify the age and gender of the child you prefer. However, there are often high proportions of teenagers, and particularly boys, who need foster care.
Can I choose how long the foster placement will be?
We will discuss the various types of placement with you so you can choose the one that suits you best. With some types of foster placement, it is not always possible to say exactly how long the young person will stay with you. Your preferences are always taken into account before a placement is made.
How will fostering affect my children?
Fostering can be challenging and rewarding for foster carers' children. It is a great learning experience. It can also be fun to have other children to play with, and special outings and activities can be arranged.
There are times when it is difficult to share your parents and your home with someone else, and it helps to have someone to talk to who understands. We believe it is hugely important to support the whole family, and we are developing our own network of support services for foster carers' children.
What will I get paid?
St Christopher’s Fostering offers a generous professional fee and allowance, paid for each child in placement with you. The fostering allowance should cover the costs of looking after the foster child, including amounts to set aside for presents, holidays and pocket money. There is no guarantee of income if you do not have a foster child in placement.
Will I have to pay tax?
You will be regarded as self-employed and responsible for your own tax, pension and national insurance arrangements. The Inland Revenue offers generous tax allowances to foster carers. During your induction training social workers and foster carers will talk to you about tax benefits. In your own interests you are advised to seek independent financial advice.
Do I need previous experience of fostering?
No, you don't need previous experience to be a foster carer. You will receive full training and support from the St Christopher's fostering team. Any experience of caring (e.g. if you have worked in education, health or social services) would be an advantage, but it is even more important to have the right personal skills.
What if a foster placement doesn't work out?
We work very carefully to match foster children and young people with the skills, experience and personal circumstances of each foster carer, so that the relationship will be rewarding for all involved. However, if things don't work out as expected, we will work with the foster carer and the local authority to make alternative arrangements.
What if someone in my household smokes?
Research shows that health is adversely affected by passive smoking and that children are more likely to smoke if people they regard as role models smoke. We therefore discourage foster carers from smoking in front of children and expect you to have clear arrangements, within your home, to ensure smoke-free areas where children spend time. We would be unlikely to place foster children under five or those with disabilities in a household where someone smokes.
Can I continue working in my current job and also be a foster carer?
Where couples are applying to be foster carers, both partners will be required to undertake preparation, training and assessment. Because of the needs of some foster children, the local authority responsible may require a placement where at least one foster carer is available at home during the day. If you are a single working foster carer, you will be asked to identify others in your network who could be available to offer care, in an emergency or on a regular basis. They can become your official support and will be expected to understand the responsibility of caring for a looked after child.
What if I am already a foster carer for another agency?
People cannot be registered with more than one fostering agency. If you are a foster carer for another agency you will need to discuss your interest in joining St Christopher’s with your current supervising social worker. We will then, with your permission, contact the agency to discuss the practicalities. There are protocols in place to guide agencies in respect of arrangements when foster carers leave one agency and become registered as foster carers with another agency. You will need to undertake a period of further preparation and assessment, and we are required to take up fresh references and to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer please contact us by email fostering@stchris.org.uk, phone 0800 234 6282, or register online.
Or for more information on making placements with St Christopher's fostering services please click here or contact us on 0800 234 6282 or at fosteringduty@stchris.org.uk.