Who can apply to become a foster carer?

Most adults who meet the basic legal requirements can apply to become foster carers. Applying does not mean you are automatically approved: the fostering service will assess your circumstances, health, household and ability to provide safe, consistent care for a child or young person.

You may be suitable to apply if:

• You can provide a safe, stable home with enough space and privacy for a foster child.
• You are physically and emotionally able to meet the needs of a child, including attending meetings, supporting education and managing challenging situations where necessary.
• You have the time and availability required for the type of fostering you are considering. Paid employment is considered as part of your overall circumstances, including who will care for the child during working hours.
• You can work openly with social workers, schools, health professionals, birth families and other members of the fostering team.
• You are willing to complete training, provide information for the assessment and take part in the required checks.
• Your household understands and supports the decision to foster, including any children or other adults who live with you.

There is no single family structure, background or lifestyle that makes someone a foster carer. Your culture, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and relationship status do not automatically prevent you from applying. A disability or health condition is not necessarily a barrier either. The relevant question is whether your health and circumstances allow you to meet the needs of a foster child safely and reliably. This is considered through a health assessment and the wider fostering assessment.

You do not normally need to own your home. If you rent, the fostering service may need confirmation that fostering is permitted under your tenancy, and the property will need to meet the required safety and space standards. The assessment considers the practical suitability of your home rather than whether you are a homeowner.

Checks and suitability

All applicants and relevant members of their household undergo checks designed to protect children. These can include criminal record checks, local authority checks, employment or personal references, identity checks, financial information and a medical assessment. The exact checks depend on your circumstances and who lives in or regularly visits your home.

A criminal record does not always mean that you cannot foster. The fostering service will consider the nature of an offence, when it happened, the sentence, any pattern of behaviour and the potential relevance to caring for children. Certain serious offences, particularly offences involving children or serious violence or sexual harm, can prevent approval. It is important to be open about convictions, cautions and other relevant information from the beginning.

Other household factors are considered individually. Pets, smoking, previous fostering experience, caring responsibilities, financial commitments and the needs of children already living at home may all be discussed. These matters are not necessarily automatic exclusions, but the assessment must establish that risks can be managed and that fostering would be safe for everyone in the household.

What happens after you apply

• You make an initial enquiry and discuss your circumstances with a fostering adviser.
• You receive information about the role, the types of placement available and the expectations involved.
• You complete the formal application if fostering remains suitable for you.
• The fostering service carries out checks, gathers references and arranges a home visit and health assessment.
• You attend preparation training and take part in a detailed assessment of your skills, experience, support network and capacity to foster.
• An independent panel or decision-maker considers the completed assessment before a final approval decision is made.

You do not need previous experience of fostering or professional childcare to make an enquiry. Experience of caring for children, supporting someone with additional needs, working with young people or managing difficult situations can be useful, but training and assessment are designed to identify your strengths and any areas where further preparation is needed.

If you are unsure whether your work, health, household arrangements, housing or past experiences affect your eligibility, it is usually better to discuss them openly rather than deciding that you cannot apply. The initial conversation can clarify the requirements and explain what information would be needed before you decide whether to proceed.

Become A Foster Family provides information, guidance, training and ongoing assistance for people considering fostering across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas. Its teams can explain the local application process and the support available at each stage.