Who can apply to become a foster carer?

Most adults aged 21 or over can apply to become foster carers, provided they meet the legal requirements and can demonstrate that fostering is suitable for their circumstances. Approval is based on an individual assessment rather than on a single personal characteristic, such as relationship status, employment, home ownership or ethnicity.

Applicants will usually need to meet the following requirements:

• Age: you must normally be at least 21 years old. There is no fixed upper age limit, but your health, energy and ability to provide care will be considered.
• Living arrangements: you need enough space for a child or young person. In most situations, this means a suitable spare bedroom, although arrangements can vary for babies or sibling groups.
• Health: you must be physically and emotionally able to manage the responsibilities of fostering. A medical assessment forms part of the process, and a health condition does not automatically prevent you from applying.
• Checks and references: adults in your household will be subject to the relevant checks, including criminal record checks. You must be open about convictions, cautions and other relevant information. A previous offence does not always prevent fostering, but offences involving children or serious offences will be carefully considered.
• Household circumstances: everyone who lives in your home needs to understand and support the application. The assessment considers relationships, routines, pets, family commitments and any factors that could affect a child’s safety or wellbeing.
• Practical suitability: you need enough time, stability and flexibility to attend meetings, complete training, work with professionals and respond to a child’s individual needs.

You do not have to be married or in a relationship to foster. Single people can apply, as can couples who are married, unmarried or in a civil partnership. Where two people apply together, both applicants are assessed because fostering affects the whole household. Your sexual orientation, gender, religion, ethnicity or cultural background does not automatically determine whether you can foster.

You may also be able to apply if you work, rent your home or already have children. These circumstances need to be discussed openly because the assessment looks at how fostering would fit alongside your existing responsibilities. If you rent, you may need your landlord’s permission, and the property must meet the required standards. If you work, the assessment will consider whether your working arrangements allow you to meet the needs of the children likely to be placed with you.

Having your own children is not a barrier, but their views, ages and needs will be considered. Children already living in the household must be included in discussions, as fostering can affect privacy, routines and family relationships. You should also consider the impact on other regular household members and anyone who provides frequent childcare.

The application process normally begins with an initial conversation and information gathering. If you decide to proceed, you complete an application and take part in checks, references, medical enquiries, home visits and preparation training. You will be asked about your childhood, relationships, support network, parenting or caring experience, and understanding of safeguarding. This is not limited to people who have previously worked with children; relevant experience may come from family life, education, healthcare, youth work, community activities or other caring roles.

The assessment is designed to establish whether you can protect a child, work constructively with their family and professionals, manage challenging behaviour, respect their identity and support their development. It also considers the type of fostering that may be appropriate for your household. Completing the initial enquiry does not commit you to becoming a foster carer, and the assessment gives you opportunities to ask questions and understand what approval would involve.

If you are unsure whether your age, health, relationship status, employment, accommodation or past experiences could affect your eligibility, it is usually better to discuss the circumstances openly rather than assume you cannot apply. Become a Foster Family can explain the requirements, the assessment stages, preparation training and the support available to approved foster carers before you decide whether to proceed.