Can I foster in Kidderminster if I rent my home?

Renting does not automatically prevent you from fostering in Kidderminster. The key issue is whether your housing arrangements can accommodate fostering safely and securely for the duration of a placement, with your landlord or housing provider agreeing to the arrangement.

Before you apply, check your tenancy agreement for clauses covering:

• who may live in the property;
• taking in children or young people;
• changes to the household;
• subletting or lodgers; and
• alterations, fixtures or additional furniture.

Fostering is different from having a lodger, because a foster child is placed with you under an approved fostering arrangement rather than entering into a private rental agreement. Even so, a landlord may need to confirm that fostering is permitted under the tenancy terms. Keep any agreement or correspondence safely, as it may be requested during the fostering assessment.

If you rent from a council or housing association, speak to the relevant housing team as well as checking your tenancy documents. Private tenants should contact their landlord or managing agent. You may need to explain that the child will be placed through a fostering service and that the arrangement will be assessed and monitored. Do not make changes to the property or commit to a placement before the housing position has been clarified.

The fostering service will consider how the accommodation works in practice. This can include the layout of the home, privacy for the child, sleeping arrangements, access to bathroom facilities, household routines, fire safety and how other people in the property will be affected. A home visit forms part of the assessment, so the property needs to be viewed as it is normally used rather than only described on an application form.

Your tenancy should also be sufficiently secure for fostering to be realistic. This does not mean that every renter must have the same type of tenancy, but the assessing service may need to understand any notice period, planned move, renewal issue or restriction that could affect a child placed in your care. Tell your assessing social worker about any proposed change in your housing circumstances, including a possible move or change of landlord.

Permission to foster is only one part of the process. You will still need to meet the wider fostering requirements, complete the assessment and checks, provide references, undertake the required preparation training and show that you can offer consistent care. The assessment looks at your circumstances as a whole, including your household, health, experience, relationships and ability to work with professionals.

If you share your rented home with a partner, relatives or other adults, their views and involvement will also be considered. Everyone living in the household should understand that fostering can affect privacy, routines and the use of shared areas. The fostering service may require checks on adult household members as part of safeguarding arrangements.

It is sensible to raise your renting situation at the first discussion with the fostering team. They can explain what evidence is needed, identify any tenancy issue early and help you understand whether your proposed arrangements can progress. If you later move to another rented property, the new home and its tenancy arrangements will need to be reviewed before a child moves in.