Can foster carers keep their existing job?

Keeping an existing job is usually possible when your employment arrangements allow you to meet the practical responsibilities of fostering. You do not generally need to give up work simply because you become a foster carer. The important consideration is whether you can be reliably available for the child’s day-to-day care, appointments, education, contact arrangements and any support required during the placement.

Your employment will form part of the fostering assessment. You should be prepared to explain:

• your usual working hours, shift patterns and travel time;
• whether your hours or location can change at short notice;
• how school runs, appointments and other regular commitments would be managed;
• what arrangements are available if you are delayed or unable to provide care; and
• which people could provide practical support, where appropriate.

This is not simply an assessment of the number of hours you work. The nature of your job matters too. Predictable daytime hours may be easier to organise around fostering than work involving frequent travel, overnight stays, long shifts or limited control over your schedule. However, there is no single employment pattern that suits every fostering household. The right arrangement depends on the child’s needs and the type of placement being considered.

Before approval, it is sensible to speak with your employer about the practical implications of fostering. Possible discussions may include changing start or finish times, working from home where this is genuinely suitable, arranging leave for training or appointments, or identifying a colleague who can deal with urgent work issues. Any proposed adjustment should be realistic and agreed rather than assumed.

Fostering also involves responsibilities outside the time a child spends at home. Depending on the placement, you may need to attend training, meetings, reviews, medical appointments, school events and contact arrangements with the child’s family. These commitments should be considered alongside your contracted hours, commuting time and other caring responsibilities. They should not be left until after a placement begins.

Some jobs may need more detailed planning. For example, a role with variable shifts could require an agreed rota, while a job involving regular travel may only be suitable for certain placement arrangements. If you are self-employed, you may have greater control over your timetable but will still need a dependable plan for periods when fostering duties take priority. The assessment should identify any practical difficulties and explore whether they can be managed safely.

Your household’s arrangements will also be considered. A partner or another trusted adult may be able to help with agreed practical tasks, but support should be clear, dependable and appropriate to the child. It should not rely on informal promises that are unavailable when needed. Everyone living in the household should understand how fostering could affect routines, privacy and responsibilities.

You should also consider the financial side before making changes to your employment. Fostering allowances are intended to contribute towards the costs of caring for a child, but they should not automatically be treated as a replacement for wages. The amount and terms can depend on factors such as the placement and the fostering provider. Ask for current information about allowances, expenses, tax and any effect on your household budget before deciding whether to reduce hours or leave work.

There may be occasions when continuing exactly as before is not practical. A child could need more direct care, additional appointments or a greater degree of availability than your job allows. In that situation, options might include changing your hours, using agreed support, considering a different type of placement or reviewing whether fostering is suitable alongside your current role. Any change should be based on the child’s welfare and a properly assessed care plan, rather than pressure to make an immediate decision.

During the application process, provide accurate information about your work rather than presenting an idealised timetable. Clear details allow the fostering team to discuss realistic options, identify questions early and consider placements that fit your circumstances. If your employment changes after approval, tell the fostering team so that the impact on your caring arrangements can be reviewed.