How to Become a Foster Parent: Stories and Experiences From Our Carers

Becoming a foster parent is one of the most impactful decisions you can make, for a child, for your community, and for yourself. At Family Fostering Partners we have been privileged to walk alongside families on their fostering journey, so in this post we’re sharing both practical guidance on how to become a foster parent and real-life experiences from foster parents who were once right where you are now.

Benefit of becoming a foster parent

• Changing a child’s trajectory
  Foster parents tell us that watching a child grow in confidence and joy is one of the most rewarding parts about fostering. Your safe, stable, and nurturing home could offer a child requiring foster care the same opportunity.
• Growing personally and as a family
  Fostering stretches your empathy, adaptability, and resilience. Many carers say the journey has deepened their family bonds and taught their own children invaluable lessons in compassion.
• Professional support & training
  Through Family Fostering Partners you receive 24/7 support, comprehensive training, access to Foster Talk and a generous fostering allowance, so you’re never doing this alone. As our name suggests, we work in partnership with our fostering families, supporting them from the early questions of ‘how to become a foster parent’, through to being approved and on their journey. 
• Community & lifelong friendships
  Our peer-to-peer networks and regular support groups mean you’ll connect with people who understand both the challenges and triumphs of fostering.

How to become a foster parent

If you’re wondering how to become a foster parent with Family Fostering Partners, here’s what the process looks like:

1. Initial enquiry
   A quick phone call or online form begins the conversation. We’ll answer your questions and arrange a friendly, no-obligation home visit.
2. Home visit & information session
   One of our team members meets you at home to talk through your motivations, your support network, and the practicalities of fostering. You’ll be able to ask any questions you have and be given time to think on if fostering is right for you.
3. Application & background checks
   After you decide fostering is right for you, we’ll guide you through the application process. You will be assigned a designated assessing social worker will walk you through the process, checks and references required. 
4. Skills to Foster training
   You’ll complete a “Skills to Foster” course, covering everything you need to know about fostering with Family Fostering Partners.
5. Assessment with your social worker
   Across several home visits, your assessing social worker helps you reflect on life experiences, parenting style, and the type of fostering that best suits your household. They will be your go to person if you have any questions and will accompany you to panel.
6. Panel & approval
   Your assessment goes to an independent fostering panel. They make a recommendation, and our Agency Decision Maker gives final approval for you to foster with us. The entire process from initial enquiry to panel takes approximately 4 months.
7. Matching & welcoming your first child
   We take great care to match children with families where they will thrive. When the right match comes, your Link Worker will be there to support and guide you. 

Remember: you don’t need to be married, own your home, or be a parent already. What matters most is commitment, empathy, and the space to welcome a child.

Testimonials from our foster carers

Nat
Nat and her partner foster on a short term basis. Here they tell us about fostering, and the benefits of being younger than the average foster parent. 

CJ

CJ tells us about giving up his full time role in Senior Management to foster alongside his birth son. 

Become a foster parent today!

If you’re eager to learn more about how to become a foster parent, our team would love to hear from you! You can use the ‘talk to us’ feature in the bottom right hand corner, or complete our online enquiry form.