Will my criminal record prevent me from becoming a foster parent?

A criminal record is considered through the enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) process and the wider fostering assessment. The assessment looks at the information behind an offence, not simply the fact that a conviction appears. You will be expected to provide an honest account of your history, including relevant cautions, convictions and other matters requested during the application.

Some offences are likely to prevent approval. These include certain serious offences involving children, sexual harm, violence or other safeguarding risks. The precise effect depends on the offence, the sentence and the fostering regulations that apply. A person who is included on a relevant barred list cannot foster, and some convictions are subject to mandatory restrictions rather than individual discretion.

For offences that do not lead to an automatic bar, the fostering service will usually consider:

• what happened and the nature of the offence;
• who was affected and whether children or vulnerable people were involved;
• the sentence, caution or other outcome;
• how long ago the incident occurred and your age at the time;
• whether there has been a pattern of offending or any later offences;
• your explanation of the circumstances and the steps you have taken since; and
• whether the information raises any current concern about a child’s safety or wellbeing.

A conviction that is old, isolated and unrelated to caring for children may be assessed differently from recent, repeated or safeguarding-related offending. This is not a guarantee of approval: the agency must be satisfied that you can provide safe and appropriate care and that any identified risks can be managed.

Fostering is an exempt type of role under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. This means that spent convictions may still need to be disclosed and considered, subject to the disclosure rules that apply to DBS certificates. Some old or minor records may be filtered from a certificate, while other information remains disclosable. The fostering service will explain what information it needs and how to provide it.

DBS checks are not limited to the main applicant. Adult members of the fostering household will normally need appropriate checks, and the agency may need to consider other adults who have a significant role in the household or regular contact with a child. The assessment can also include checks with relevant authorities. These may identify safeguarding information that does not appear as a conviction, such as previous involvement with children’s services or police information relevant to risk.

It is important not to leave out an offence because it is spent, old or not shown on an initial form. Failing to disclose relevant information can create a greater concern than the original incident because the assessment also considers honesty, judgement and openness. If you are unsure whether something must be declared, raise it with the fostering team before completing the paperwork rather than guessing.

You may be asked for further details, such as court documents, an explanation of the circumstances, evidence of rehabilitation or information about changes in your lifestyle. You should answer questions fully and consistently. The assessment will then consider the information alongside your references, health information, household circumstances, training and ability to meet children’s needs.

If your record relates to domestic abuse, sexual offences, violence towards a child, serious harm or ongoing offending, discuss it with the fostering team at the earliest stage. They can explain whether the matter is likely to fall within a mandatory restriction or whether it can be assessed individually. A past conviction does not make every applicant unsuitable, but safeguarding requirements must always take priority.

Where an application continues, you will complete preparation training and take part in a detailed assessment before a recommendation is made to the fostering panel and a final decision is reached by the agency decision-maker. You can ask for an explanation of how your circumstances will be considered and what documents are required. Become A Foster Family’s local team supports applicants across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire.