Fostering FAQ Guide

One of the most common foster care questions that we get asked is are foster carers paid, the short and simple answer is yes.  It’s only right that foster parents are compensated for the crucial work that they do, looking after children and young people. 

Another commonly asked foster care question that we receive is “How much are foster parents paid”, this question is harder to answer because the exact amount will depend on a number of factors. For example, looking after a child or young person with enhanced needs is likely to result in a higher fostering allowance payment. For detailed information, visit our Foster Carer Pay webpage.

No fostering FAQ would be complete without answering the fundamental question of what is fostering! In essence, fostering is the process of offering a safe and nurturing home to a child who cannot live with their biological family. 

Unfortunately, there is a desperate need for more people to become foster parents, at Family Fostering Partners we specialise in offering a range of different forms of foster care. For example, we have foster families who only want to look after children in long-term fostering arrangements, whilst on the other end of the spectrum we have foster carers who specialise in more specific forms of care such as Parent and Child placements and/or emergency fostering. Discover the various types of fostering available.

Many potential foster parents are concerned that having a dog will stop them from being able to foster, however, you can foster if you have a dog. Many of our fostering families have pet dogs and they can be a great companion for a child who’s nervous and new to your family; dogs can be especially beneficial for children who have experienced trauma. 

When you apply to foster, we will conduct a detailed pet assessment as part of the broader fostering assessment, this will allow us to conduct a risk assessment as well as to get to know your dog and understand how they are likely to react to new children in the household. 

This is another common fostering question that we receive. The short answer is yes, you can foster if you have exotic pets. Owning an exotic pet does not automatically disqualify you from fostering. We would need to undertake a thorough pet assessment to evaluate any risks and ensure the well-being of everyone in the household, and we would need to establish clear rules and guidelines around your pets. For example, where they are kept, where they sleep, who has access to them. Once all of that work is completed, having snakes, birds, lizards, tarantulas, etc will not prohibit you from fostering!  

The question of “can I foster and work” is probably on most fostering FAQ’s. 

When it comes to our foster parents, most have at least one individual in the household who works as a full-time caregiver. That said, it is possible to combine fostering with another job or role, it depends on factors such as what type of fostering you’re looking to do, and the flexibility of your employment to be able to attend meetings and training sessions.

If you’re eager to learn more about foster care pay you can visit our dedicated page. Additionally, you may want to read about our unique financial transition scheme, “Be There To Care” aims to financial assist those who transition from full time work to full-time fostering.

Yes. The answer to this frequently asked foster care question is simply, yes, we welcome applicants who identify as LGBT+.

Whether you can foster if you have a criminal record, is a common fostering FAQ. Individuals with a criminal record may still be eligible to foster, provided the offence was not against a child or of a sexual nature. We assess each case individually, discussing your past openly is essential so that we can understand the context and learn how you have grown and changed since the incident.

To foster, you must be at least 21 years old. However it’s important to note that there is no upper age limit. As long as you have the time, ability and commitment to care for children, we’d love to hear from you. 

This foster care question is an increasingly common one for us, the answer is yes absolutely. We have many single foster carers and welcome new applicants who are single. 

When it comes to fostering FAQ’s, foster care questions regarding the matching process are incredibly common. Ensuring that we match children with the right family is crucial, that’s why we spend so much time getting to know you during the assessment process, and we will engage in detailed discussions about potential matches, considering factors like age and specific needs that align with your family dynamics. You will never be forced to accept a match; we only want to move forward with placing a child in a new home when we’re confident that everyone is happy to proceed.