Can I choose the age of my first foster placement?

You can state an age preference for your first foster placement, but the placement offered will depend on whether the proposed match is suitable for both you and the child. Your approved age range provides the framework, while each referral is considered individually. A child’s developmental stage, care needs, background, relationships and likely length of placement are all relevant when deciding whether a placement is appropriate.

During your assessment, you will be asked which age groups you feel able and prepared to care for. You may have a clear preference, such as caring for younger children, school-age children or teenagers. You can also explain whether there are particular circumstances you would find difficult to manage, or whether you would consider caring for siblings. Being specific helps the assessing social worker understand the type of placement that may suit your household.

Your preference is explored alongside practical aspects of fostering, including:

• your experience of caring for children or young people;
• your understanding of children’s development and behaviour;
• the routines, space and relationships within your household;
• the support available from relatives, friends and professionals;
• your ability to attend meetings, appointments and school-related activities; and
• the types of behaviour, health needs or emotional difficulties you feel able to manage.

These discussions help determine the range and type of fostering approval that is suitable. Approval is not simply based on the age you would most like to foster. It reflects the assessment of your capacity to meet children’s needs safely and consistently. For example, caring for a baby may involve frequent routines and close attention to developmental progress, whereas fostering a teenager may involve supporting independence, education, identity and preparation for adulthood. Children of any age may also have experienced neglect, instability, trauma or disrupted relationships, so chronological age is only one part of the assessment.

Before a placement is considered, you should receive information about the child or young person and the circumstances that led to the referral. This may include their age, personality, daily routines, education, health, family contact arrangements, known risks and the support they require. You can ask questions and discuss any concerns with the fostering team. A placement should not be accepted on age alone if the wider information suggests that it is not a suitable match.

For a first placement, the matching process is particularly important because it allows your preparation and training to be considered alongside the child’s situation. A referral may fall within your approved age range but still not be right for your household. Equally, a placement that is not the age you originally imagined may be worth discussing if the needs are understood, the arrangements are realistic and the appropriate support is available. The decision should be based on an informed assessment rather than pressure to accept the first referral.

You may also be asked about preferences such as:

• whether you would consider caring for one child or a sibling group;
• whether you would consider short-term, longer-term, respite or emergency arrangements;
• whether you have a preference relating to school age, independence or contact arrangements; and
• which needs or behaviours would require further discussion before you could agree to a placement.

Some preferences may be firm boundaries, while others may be areas you are willing to explore. It is important to be honest. Saying that you are not ready for a particular age group or type of need does not mean that you are unsuitable to foster. It gives the fostering team information needed to identify safer and more realistic options.

Your views do not have to remain unchanged throughout your fostering journey. After your first placement, you can reflect with your supervising social worker on what worked well, what was challenging and whether your preferred age range still feels appropriate. Any proposed change would need to be discussed and may require a formal review or variation of your approval. You should not assume that previous experience automatically extends your approval to a different age group.

The child’s wishes and feelings are also considered where appropriate. A placement should take account of the child’s relationships, identity, education, cultural background and existing support. The aim is to create a match that meets the child’s needs while remaining manageable for the foster family. Your preferred age is therefore an important part of the conversation, but it is one factor within a wider matching and approval process.