Can I become a foster carer if I have children of my own?

Having birth or adopted children does not prevent you from fostering. Many families foster alongside raising their own children, provided the household can manage the practical, emotional and safeguarding responsibilities involved.

Your own children will form part of the fostering assessment. The assessing social worker will consider their ages, personalities, needs, routines and understanding of fostering, as well as how a foster child could affect family life. Older children may be asked for their views directly, while younger children may be included in age-appropriate discussions and preparation.

Your children do not need to be enthusiastic about every aspect of fostering, but they should understand what it may involve and feel able to express concerns. Their views are important because fostering affects everyone in the household. A significant concern may need to be explored before approval, particularly if a child is already experiencing difficulties or needs a high level of parental attention.

Practical matters considered during the assessment can include:

• how family routines, school commitments, hobbies and holidays may be affected;
• whether you have enough time and emotional capacity to care for another child;
• how you will give each child individual attention;
• how privacy, personal belongings and household boundaries will be managed;
• how you will respond if the foster child’s behaviour is difficult or unsettles family relationships; and
• how you will keep every child safe while respecting their different needs.

Accommodation is also assessed. A foster child will generally need a suitable bedroom, and the arrangement must meet fostering requirements. The space, sleeping arrangements and any proposed sharing will be discussed as part of the assessment rather than assumed to be acceptable.

Children who enter foster care may have experienced loss, neglect, abuse or disruption. They may need additional reassurance, predictable routines and one-to-one support. This can sometimes involve behaviour or communication that is unfamiliar to your own children. Training will help you understand these experiences and respond appropriately, while your fostering household’s support network can help you manage the effect on family life.

It is important to be clear with your children about what can and cannot be shared. Foster children have a right to privacy, so information about their history, birth family or reasons for being in care should not be discussed casually. Your own children should know who they can speak to if fostering affects them, and they should not be expected to act as a babysitter, therapist or alternative parent.

Matching is an important part of making fostering work for the whole family. Your fostering service will consider the type of placement that may suit your household, including the child’s age, needs, behaviour, relationships with other children and any risks that need to be managed. You can discuss the type of placement your family is able to consider during assessment and after approval.

Before approval, prospective foster carers complete preparation training and an assessment covering their circumstances, experience, relationships, health, home and ability to meet a child’s needs. Household members may also need to complete relevant checks. The process gives you and your children opportunities to ask questions and identify what support or preparation would be useful.

Fostering alongside parenting can require changes to routines and expectations, but having children of your own may also give you relevant experience of child development, family organisation and the everyday demands of parenting. It is not necessary for your children to be a particular age, although the agency will consider how their current stage of development affects the type of placement that would be appropriate.

Foster carers receive ongoing guidance, training and support, including help with situations that affect the wider household. Financial support is also available to approved foster carers, although the amount and arrangements depend on the fostering service and placement. If you are considering fostering, an initial discussion with the team can help you explore how it could fit around your children and family circumstances before you decide whether to apply.