What fostering is

Fostering is when you look after someone else’s child to give them a safe and loving home.

It can range from short-term care, which could be a couple of days, to a long-term arrangement until the child or young person reaches 18 years of age.

Fostering can be extremely rewarding and can help to change a child’s life forever.

To become a foster carer you do not need to be married, own a home, or have any specific qualifications.

There are many different types of foster care available to choose from.

What foster carers do

As a foster carer you will be providing children and young people with their day-to-day care and much more. You may have to help these children come to terms with difficult or traumatic experiences.

If you become a foster carer, you will be expected to:

• care for the child as part of a team – this could include schools, health professionals, the child’s birth family and the fostering service
• support their educational, health and social wellbeing
• keep records and write reports about the foster child
• attend meetings and advocate for the child
• help the child manage their behaviour and feelings
• attend training

If you decide to become a foster carer, you will receive pre and post approval training and support to help you develop the skills needed to do this challenging and rewarding role. You will also receive an allowance and fee to cover the cost of caring for children and young people