Who can become a connected person foster carer?

A connected person foster carer must be able to offer a safe, stable and suitable home to a child they already know, while meeting the fostering service’s requirements for suitability. There is no single family structure, occupation or lifestyle that automatically qualifies someone. The decision is based on the circumstances of the individual applicant, the child’s needs and the risks involved in the proposed placement.

You may be considered if you can demonstrate that you are able to:

• provide consistent day-to-day care and respond appropriately to the child’s emotional, behavioural, health and educational needs;
• understand how the child’s experiences may affect their behaviour and development;
• work constructively with the child’s parents, relatives, social worker, school and other professionals;
• respect the child’s identity, culture, religion, language and relationships;
• support safe arrangements for family time and communication where these form part of the care plan;
• follow safeguarding guidance, household rules and decisions made by the placing authority; and
• keep appropriate information about the child private while sharing important concerns through the correct channels.

Your home will need to provide suitable accommodation and enough practical space for the placement. The fostering service will consider sleeping arrangements, household routines, pets, visitors, transport and any other factors that could affect the child’s safety or wellbeing. A home does not have to be large or newly furnished, but it must be appropriate for the child and capable of supporting their needs.

Other members of your household will also be considered. This can include a partner, children, adult relatives, lodgers or anyone else who regularly lives in or visits the home. Their views, relationships with the child and ability to follow safeguarding expectations may be relevant. Having children already, being in employment or owning pets does not automatically prevent you from becoming a connected person foster carer; the important question is how these circumstances affect the proposed arrangement.

Applicants should be in a position to manage the practical responsibilities of fostering. This includes attending meetings and appointments, taking the child to school or health services, maintaining routines and communicating with professionals. Your work, caring responsibilities and transport arrangements will be discussed so that any plan is realistic and sustainable. You are not expected to have specialist qualifications, but you must be willing to learn and apply the guidance provided.

Health is considered in relation to your ability to care for the child safely and consistently. You may need to provide health information or attend a medical assessment. A health condition or disability is not automatically a reason for refusal. The assessment looks at the effect of the condition on fostering and whether appropriate arrangements or support can reduce any risks.

Your finances will also be discussed. You need to manage your household responsibly and avoid a situation where the placement would be unsafe because essential costs cannot be met. Fostering payments are intended to contribute towards the costs of caring for a child, but they should not be treated as a substitute for assessing your overall financial circumstances.

Suitability checks will normally include consideration of criminal records, safeguarding information, identity, personal references and relevant household circumstances. A previous conviction does not always rule someone out, because its relevance, seriousness, age and context are considered. However, some offences and safeguarding concerns may prevent approval. Being open and accurate is important; withholding information can affect the assessment more seriously than the information itself.

You do not need to have a particular relationship status, sexual orientation, religion or cultural background to be considered. What matters is your ability to provide safe and respectful care and to meet this child’s individual needs. The child’s relationship with you is important, but familiarity alone does not remove the need to demonstrate that the placement will be safe and workable.

In some situations, a relative or family friend may be considered for temporary approval while the full assessment is completed, particularly where a child needs an immediate placement. This is a specific legal route and does not mean that every connected person placement will be approved in this way. The local authority and fostering service will explain which arrangements apply to your circumstances.

If you are unsure whether your circumstances make you eligible, you can still ask for an initial discussion. The fostering team can explain the requirements, identify any issues that need clarification and outline the next steps. Approval is not based on being a perfect carer; it depends on showing that you can work safely with professionals and provide care that is right for the particular child.