Fostering in England: How to Balance Professional Life and Foster Care Commitments
At Family Fostering Partners, we often meet compassionate, caring people who want to open their homes to children in need, but worry about whether they can balance fostering with their existing work commitments. The truth is, fostering in England is flexible, and many foster parents work alongside their professional fostering career.
In this blog, we’ll explore whether it’s possible to work while fostering in England, what challenges you might face, and the strategies that can help you thrive in both roles.
Can You Have a Job and Be a Foster Carer?
Yes, you absolutely can. Many of our foster parents continue to work either full-time or part-time, depending on the needs of the child in their care and the type of fostering they wish to do.
Certain types of fostering, such as short-term or respite care are generally more flexible and allow foster parents to maintain their current working schedule with fewer adjustments. However, other placements, such as long-term or parent and child fostering, can require more availability and presence at home. During your fostering assessment, we’ll help you explore which type of fostering in England suits your lifestyle and employment situation best.
If you choose to stop working in order to be available to foster on a full time basis, you may be eligible for our ‘Be There To Care’ financial scheme. You can learn more about fostering allowances here.
Challenges of Balancing a Career with Fostering in England
While it’s certainly possible to work and foster, it can occasionally come with challenges. A common difficulty our foster parents mention is employer flexibility: Not all employers understand the responsibilities that come with fostering in England, which can make things hard if your job isn’t supportive. At Family Fostering Partners, we’re here to help you build a realistic plan for fostering alongside your work commitment; and that plan will look different for each individual.
Steve, a respite foster parent with us, enjoys the flexibility and forward planning that providing respite care offers to him and his family.
Hear from CJ who gave up his career in Senior Management to foster on a full-time basis.
Tips on How to Balance Work and Fostering in England
Balancing work and fostering takes good organisation and strong support, but it is very achievable. Here are some tried-and-tested tips from our experienced carers:
- Choose a flexible job or employer: Remote or part-time roles, or employers with good family policies, make it easier to meet the needs of the children in your care.
- Establish a clear routine: Structure helps both you and the child in your care to manage expectations and reduces the stress of juggling multiple roles.
- Communicate openly: Let your employer and your link social worker know about your commitments so you can work together when scheduling conflicts arise.
- Lean on your support network: Whether it’s other foster carers, your link worker, friends, or family members, don’t be afraid to ask for help and support when you need it.
The Importance of Self-Care for Foster Carers
When you’re balancing professional life with fostering in England, it’s easy to put your own needs last. But self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
Whether it’s a walk in nature, a quiet cup of tea, or a chat with a friend, make space for what refuels you. At Family Fostering Partners, we offer regular support groups, 24/7 advice and training sessions designed to help you stay well and feel connected to a community that understands the uniqueness of fostering in England. You’ll also have access to an external resource, Foster Talk, who provide free webinars, exclusive savings and discounts, as well as free legal, medical and financial advice.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AND START FOSTERING IN ENGLAND
If you’re considering fostering in England and wondering how it could fit into your current lifestyle, we’d love to talk to you. At Family Fostering Partners, we pride ourselves on offering personalised support, flexible fostering opportunities, and a community that welcomes you with open arms.
Balancing work and fostering isn’t always easy but with the right guidance and encouragement, it can be one of the most rewarding choices you ever make. Chat to us today to find out more.
