Who can apply for kinship foster care licensing?
Kinship foster care licensing can be applied for by a relative or another adult who already has a significant relationship with the child and is being considered to care for them. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and able to demonstrate that they can provide a safe, stable and suitable home, subject to the required assessment and checks.
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The key consideration is whether the applicant is a connected person to the child and can meet the fostering standards. This usually includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings and other relatives, but it can also include a family friend, neighbour, teacher or another adult who knows the child well. A person does not need to be related by blood to be considered.
Kinship foster care applicants can generally apply as:
- a single person;
- members of a married or unmarried couple;
- people in a same-sex relationship;
- someone who rents their home, provided the accommodation is suitable and permission is available where required; or
- an adult from any ethnic, cultural or religious background.
Being employed, self-employed, retired or receiving benefits does not automatically prevent someone from applying. The assessment will consider whether the applicant can manage the practical responsibilities of caring for the child, including school arrangements, appointments, contact with relatives and attendance at meetings or training.
Applicants do not usually need previous fostering experience or formal childcare qualifications. What matters is their ability to understand the child’s needs, work with professionals, accept guidance and provide consistent care. Relevant experience as a parent, relative, childminder, teacher or support worker may be discussed, but it is not a substitute for the formal assessment.
Anyone living in the household will be considered as part of the application. This can include a partner, children, adult relatives, lodgers or regular visitors. Their views, relationships with the child and ability to support the arrangement may be explored. The assessing team will also consider how the placement could affect other children in the home.
The applicant’s circumstances will be checked in detail. This normally includes identity and household information, criminal-record checks, health information, personal and employment references where appropriate, home safety and accommodation, finances, previous involvement with children’s services, and the applicant’s ability to work cooperatively with the child’s parents and the local authority. A criminal record does not automatically rule someone out, but relevant offences must be disclosed and assessed carefully.
There must also be enough space and suitable arrangements for the child. The assessment may look at sleeping arrangements, privacy, transport, pets, supervision and any changes needed to make the home safe. A spare bedroom is commonly expected for a foster child, although the exact requirements depend on the child’s age, needs and circumstances.
The application normally starts with a discussion with the local authority responsible for the child or with the fostering service involved in the assessment. The applicant will be given information about the role and asked to provide consent for the necessary checks. They may then complete preparation training and take part in interviews and home visits before a written assessment is presented for a decision.
Kinship applicants should tell the assessing team about any circumstances that could affect the placement, such as health conditions, previous convictions, financial difficulties, relationship changes or disagreements within the family. Raising these issues early allows the assessment to consider what support or safeguards may be needed. Concealing information can create problems later and may affect the approval decision.
Approval is not automatic because an applicant is a relative or already cares for the child. The decision must focus on the child’s welfare and whether the proposed arrangement can meet their needs safely and consistently. If the applicant is not approved as a foster carer, other legal arrangements may sometimes be explored, depending on the child’s situation and the local authority’s assessment.
Prospective kinship foster carers in Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire can seek guidance from local teams. Become A Foster Family has offices in Droitwich and Stoke, with staff located across the region to provide local support during the assessment process.
More than one connected adult may be able to apply for kinship foster care licensing for the same child. There is no automatic priority based solely on being the closest relative. For example, a grandparent, adult sibling and family friend could all be considered where each has an established relationship with the child.
Each applicant’s circumstances are considered separately, with the decision focused on which proposed arrangement can best meet the child’s needs. The assessment may consider the child’s existing relationship with each person, the stability of the proposed home, the applicant’s ability to support important family relationships and how well the arrangement is likely to work with the local authority.
Being eligible to apply therefore does not mean that an applicant will automatically be chosen or approved. If several people come forward, they should provide honest information about their relationship with the child and any practical concerns so that the assessment can consider the options properly.
Talk to us about kinship foster care licensing
If you are considering applying for kinship foster care licensing, speak to our team for guidance on the next steps and the information you will need to prepare. We can help you understand how the assessment process applies to your circumstances.