How does one become a foster carer?

Question

Do you have to be married? Can you do it with a full-time job? Can you do weekend fostering - sort of restbite care?

I'm in England

Answer 1

http://www.nfpainc.org/

Answer 2

You do not have to be Married, you can be single, in a relationship, a same sex relationship as long as you meet the requirements which is similar for all local authorities and agencies, just type in foster care and you will see an abundance of options or check the The Fostering Network. You can just do weekends , a child who needs occasional respite for one weekend a month or even every weekend. You can do it with a full time job as well. I do. And i have never found anything as rewarding as Fostering.

There is a link at the botom which gives you an insight to fostering and allows people to share experiences some good and some bad.

Answer 3

It depends my mother is single and fostering for the National Fostering Agency in England, you get better pay doing agency foster care then if you work for social services, you don't have to be married, but fostering then becomes your full time job, and you give up work, my Mum is actually earning more just from fostering than she did in her old job, you get a set amount per child per week so if you foster 2 kids, double the pay. Weekend fostering/respite is an option but often this will be for children with complex needs/disabilities and is therefore hard work. My Mum is fostering a 5 yr old boy on a long term/permanent basis - he's lovely.

Having just read the above post - it is untrue at least in this country, that you are not allowed to turn a child down - if you do not feel you have the skillset required for a child it is your best interests and theirs to refuse. You will undergo about 6 months worth of training and vetting before getting a child, this will include a CRB interviews with people who know you and any family members who may be nvolved as well as practical help on dealing with difficult children.

Answer 4

I took the training about ten years ago and decided to not do it while my kids were young and at home. I believe the training is required. You do not have to be married (each state my be different) and you can work full-time. I have never heard of just weekends and I would never do that anyway, it is not in the best interest of the child.
These kids need some sort of family life while the problems in their lives are worked out. Many come to you with many problems like illness, emotional problems like abuse, attachment disorders, and lack of knowing how to bond. These are just a few.
The foster care parent needs to be able to handle an unruly child or a child with disabilities. Many times when you are in the system for accepting foster kids you will be approached by your worker any time of the day or night and you will be asked to house a child for a day, a week, a month or a year. It is almost impossible to turn down the child who is coming to you. And if you do you can be dropped from the Social Workers List of caregivers. You need to be with this child 24/7 except when they are in school or you have to get them into a child care program when you are not at home. And that is difficult. I guarantee you will have problems with the child in any program as these kids need stability and one person to look after them. You will be called in with situations like hitting, biting, inappropriate touching, crying, yelling, hair pulling and more. All these kids act out from years of neglect and abuse. Can you handle it? If not find something else you can do to help kids. The money is never worth it.

Answer 5

I think Social Services would prefer it if you were married or had a partner. If you still want to keep a full-time job then that would be difficult when the child you were fostering was home in the school holidays because you could not leave them with someonelse unless they had also passed all the security checks.. If you talk to Social Services I am sure they will be able to advise you. If you want to care for a child you would have to be vetted and have security checks done. Your home would also have to be checked for suitability and to make sure it was safe. Good luck and I hope you succeed it is certainly a worthwhile thing that you are planning to do.

Answer 6

you can be single, I bleive the age to qualify is 23 years old,. You have to take classes go through a series of home inspections and full time job, possibly could could but its hard work especially when you get kids that have come from abusive homes, have emotional issues, so on and so forth.you have to be willing to commit yourself and the time that it takes to to take in and care for the children.
there are rules as well as to where they need to be and where you are to watch them and etc.
emergency placements, respit care is a possibility as well. I remember when I was taken there were no beds available for me, so I actually had to spend 3 days in a juvie hall until they were able to find a home for me.

Answer 7

You do not have to be married....but it would BE your full-time job,but I am sure there are some programs that provide weekend care.you'll need a license.and be ready for the state to be all up in your business.......extensive background checks are conducted...Good Luck!

Answer 8

You will need to contact your local Social Services Office - your Town/City/County Hall will give you number or put you through.
Be prepared for lots of questions re your suitability.

Answer 9

contact your local child service and ask them the best way, every state is diffrent I know where I am you have to go through series of tests, as well people going through your home and asking friends families, loved ones what you like, you have to go through series of doctors as well, check at your local child services and see what they say. Good Luck!

Answer 10

I dont think you can do just weekends - respite care but contact your local social services dept. They can give you all the info xx

Answer 11

My friend did this....it is alot of work to get started....they check you and your house out....you have to go to counseling and classes....and, the worst part is, when you have to give the child back to unfit parents! And they clearly do not want to go and the court makes them go back....UNREAL!