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What are the Foster Care requirements?

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Whether you’re interested in fostering, or you simply want to learn more about it, it’s important to understand the foster care requirements that are in place across the UK.

There are specific fostering criteria that need to be met in order to be able to foster, from age and health to needing a spare bedroom in your home. Learn everything you need to know about foster care requirements now.

Who can foster?

The pool of foster carers - much like the pool of children in need of fostering - is diverse. At Capstone foster care, we welcome carers from a variety of backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. However, all of our carers must meet the following criteria to be eligible to foster.

Criteria for fostering

All foster carers must:

  • Be 21 or older
  • Have a spare bedroom
  • Be in good health
  • Be a full-time resident in the UK (or have leave to remain)
  • Have enough time to provide support and care to a child or young person (usually on a full-time basis)

Could you foster?

Alongside the legal fostering requirements for the UK, there may be other factors worth considering before you apply to become a foster carer:

  • Experience – whether it’s through your family life or volunteering, having some experience with children is beneficial if you’re wanting to foster.
  • Health – good mental and physical health are essential to be able to meet the demands of being a full-time foster carer.  
  • Support network – do you have a network of friends and family around you can rely on for support?
  • Financial security – read ‘How much do Foster Carers get Paid?’ to see if you could maintain your current lifestyle with our foster care allowance.  
  • Home life – is your home environment safe for a young person or child?
  • Past – do you have any previous convictions? If so, read ‘Can you Foster with a Criminal Record’

FAQs

Unfortunately, many people rule themselves out of becoming foster carers simply based on common myths. So, to address the misconceptions about foster care requirements, we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions about the foster care criteria.

  • Do you need qualifications to foster? – No formal qualifications are required. However, you will receive foster care training and support to develop your skills and achieve the necessary standards of training and development to be a foster carer in the UK.
  • Is there an age limit to fostering? – Whilst there is a minimum age limit of 21, there is no upper age limit for foster carers. What is most important is that you are fit enough to care for a child full-time.
  • Can you be single and foster? – Yes. However, you will need to demonstrate a network of support and financial security in order to support a foster child.
  • Do you have to be a homeowner? – No, but you need to be able to provide a stable and consistent home environment for a young person or child.
  • Can your religion or sexual orientation prevent you from fostering? – No. At Capstone foster care, we celebrate diversity and welcome carers of all religions and sexual orientations.

Think fostering is right for you? Fill out the enquiry form below and start your fostering journey today!

To learn more, read our other helpful guides, including Types of Fostering,  Why Foster and Fostering as a Career. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our helpful experts at Capstone Foster Care for more information and advice

Thinking of fostering?

If you’ve got any questions or would like to find out more about fostering with Capstone, fill out the form below.
An experienced fostering advisor from your local area will then be in touch.

The information you provide will be used to respond to the enquiry you have submitted, for further information please refer to our privacy policy.

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Find out more about fostering with Capstone.

Download our helpful guide to becoming a foster carer

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Ways to
GET IN TOUCH

Start the conversation today. Our team of friendly advisors are on hand to answer any foster care questions you may have. We can offer you honest and practical advice that can help you decide if becoming a foster carer is the right path for you. 


Request a
call back

Contact us by completing our online form and one of our fostering advisors will respond to your enquiry within 24 hours.



Call us

Contact us by phone and one of our friendly fostering experts will be on hand for any foster care advice and support you require.



Download a Brochure

Download our helpful guide to becoming a foster carer with Capstone Foster Care.