People come to us all the time who’ve been quietly wondering about fostering for years. They’ve not picked up the phone because of something they think disqualifies them. Often it doesn’t.
Here are the five we hear most often.
1. You don’t need to own your home
Renters are welcome. What matters is that you have a stable tenancy and a spare bedroom. Many of our brilliant carers have always rented.
2. You don’t need to be in a couple
Around a third of our carers are single. What matters is your support network. Friends, family, neighbours. People you can call when things get hard.
3. You don’t need to be religious. Or not religious
Faith and the lack of faith are both welcome here. We match children to families based on need and fit. Religious practice can be a positive in the right placement.
4. You don’t need to give up work
For some types of fostering, full-time work is fine. Short-break and weekend carers often work Monday to Friday. For mainstream fostering, one carer in the household usually needs flexibility, but that doesn’t mean stopping work entirely.
5. You don’t need to be young
The youngest carer we’ve approved was 25. The oldest, in their early seventies. What matters is energy, capacity and commitment, not the number on your birthday cards.
If any of these have been holding you back, get in touch. The conversation is free, honest, and without pressure.
