Who Can Foster?

Fostering requirements

To be considered as a foster carer, you need to fulfil the three primary requirements before we can look at approving you as a carer with us. The requirements are:

• Be over the age of 21 years of age – it is a common misconception that you have to be nearing retirement age to become a foster carer but the truth is, you just have to be over the age of 21 to be considered as a foster care. At FosterCare UK, we also don’t have an upper age limit and welcome all applicants as long as they meet the minimum age requirement.
• A spare bedroom – you need to have at least one spare bedroom to be considered as a foster carer. Due to fostering regulations, it is mandatory that each child has their own safe space to call their own. The room should be large enough for a single bed and furniture for their belongings. If you have more than one spare bedroom, that is even better as that means you could have the opportunity to care for sibling placements.
• Be in good health – being in good health, both physically and mentally is an important factor to consider when becoming a foster carer. When you have foster placements, in order to provide the best care to the child or young person, being fit and healthy can really make a difference to the support and care you provide.

These are the three primary requirements to be considered as a foster carer, however there are other requirements that you’ll also need, for example when a child under the age 5 is placed in a foster home, it must be a non-smoking household.

The Assessment Process

During the application process, you will a health check will be carried out and all members of your household over the age of 18 will undergo a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. Foster care training and support are provided during the application process and throughout your fostering work.

Still wondering if you can foster? Learn more from our ‘Can I foster if…?’, detailed guide. Alternatively, get in touch with a member of our expert team here at Capstone Foster Care.

You can contact our friendly FosterCare UK team if you are interested inor have any queries about becoming a foster carer with us.

Check out our video about how your life experince could help make a difference to a young person.