Who can apply to become a kinship foster carer?

Anyone aged 18 or over who has an existing relationship with a child may be able to apply to become a kinship foster carer, provided they can meet the required suitability standards. This may include a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, other relative, or a close family friend. The child’s local authority will consider whether fostering by that person is appropriate for the child and whether the applicant can provide safe, stable and suitable care.

The relationship with the child

Kinship fostering is intended for people who are already connected to the child. The relationship does not have to be based solely on blood or marriage. A person who has played a significant role in the child’s life may be considered if they know the child well and can offer appropriate care. The local authority will look at the nature and strength of the relationship, the child’s wishes where appropriate, and whether moving to that person’s care would support the child’s welfare.

The exact route may differ depending on the circumstances. For example, the child may already be living with the prospective carer, may be at risk of entering care, or may need to move following a family crisis. A person who is considering caring for a child in their family or social network should contact the child’s local authority as soon as possible. This helps the authority understand the situation and identify the correct assessment and approval process.

Requirements applicants normally need to meet

• Age: applicants must normally be at least 18. There is no single upper age limit, but the assessment will consider whether the applicant’s health, energy and circumstances enable them to meet the child’s needs throughout the placement.
• Accommodation: the home must be safe, suitable and provide appropriate space and privacy for the child. The assessor will consider sleeping arrangements, household safety, overcrowding, pets and any other factors that could affect the child.
• Health: applicants need to be physically and emotionally able to care for the child. A health assessment is normally part of the process. Having a medical condition or disability does not automatically prevent someone from applying; the relevant question is how it may affect their ability to provide care.
• Suitability: the assessment considers personal history, relationships, parenting or caring experience, understanding of the child’s needs, and the applicant’s ability to work with social workers and other professionals.
• Safety checks: criminal record checks and other statutory checks are carried out on the applicant and relevant adults in the household. Any information disclosed is considered carefully rather than treated as an automatic refusal in every case.
• References and background information: the fostering service may seek personal references and information about previous employment, caring responsibilities and household circumstances.
• Capacity to provide care: applicants must be able to offer consistent supervision, routines, boundaries and support. They also need to manage contact with parents and other relatives where this forms part of the child’s care plan.

Who can apply as a household?

Applications can be made by a single person, a couple or a wider family household. Applicants do not generally need to be married or in a civil partnership, and being single does not prevent someone from being considered. The assessment focuses on the stability of the applicant’s circumstances and the support available to them, not on a particular family structure.

If the applicant is part of a couple, both partners will usually be involved in the assessment because the child will be joining the household. Both adults may need to complete checks, provide information and attend preparation training. The service will also consider how responsibilities will be shared and whether the relationship is sufficiently stable to provide continuity for the child.

People who rent their home may apply, subject to having suitable permission and accommodation. Home ownership is not normally a requirement. Existing children, other dependants or pets also do not automatically prevent an application, although their needs and the effect of a new placement will be considered carefully.

Can someone apply if they work?

Employment does not automatically rule out kinship fostering. The assessment will examine working hours, travel, childcare arrangements and whether the applicant can attend to the child’s daily needs, appointments, education and contact arrangements. A realistic plan is needed for school runs, supervision, illness, holidays and unexpected changes to the child’s routine.

Applicants should also discuss their financial position. Foster carers receive financial support connected with caring for a child, but the amount and arrangements can vary. It is sensible to ask the assessing service about fostering allowances, employment, benefits and tax implications before making a firm decision. Financial difficulty alone should not be assumed to prevent an application, but applicants must be able to manage the household responsibly.

What happens before approval?

• Initial discussion: the applicant explains their relationship with the child and the current circumstances. The service identifies whether kinship fostering is the appropriate route.
• Initial checks: information is gathered about the applicant, household, home and any immediate safeguarding concerns.
• Preparation training: applicants learn about safeguarding, attachment, trauma, behaviour, contact, safer caring and the practical responsibilities of fostering.
• Full assessment: a social worker explores the applicant’s history, relationships, health, support network, parenting approach and ability to meet this child’s specific needs.
• References and statutory checks: relevant checks and references are completed and any concerns are discussed with the applicant.
• Approval decision: the assessment report is considered through the appropriate fostering approval process. If approved, the terms of approval will reflect the type of care and the child’s needs.

In urgent situations, a child may be placed with a connected person under temporary or emergency arrangements while further assessment is completed. This is not the same as full approval, and the carer must continue with the required checks, assessment and training. The local authority will explain the legal status of the placement and what is expected at each stage.

Reasons an application may need further consideration

An application may require additional assessment where there are concerns about household safety, unresolved criminal convictions, health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, significant instability or the applicant’s ability to work cooperatively with professionals. These issues should be discussed openly. Withholding relevant information can create greater difficulty than raising a concern early and allowing the service to assess it properly.

Some applicants may not be approved because the proposed arrangement cannot safely meet the child’s needs. That decision does not necessarily mean the person is unsuitable in every situation; it may reflect the particular child, the accommodation available or the level of support required. Applicants should ask for the reasons to be explained and what other options may be available for the child.

The best first step is to speak to the child’s social worker or local authority and explain the existing relationship. If you are exploring whether kinship fostering could be suitable, you can also seek independent guidance about the assessment, training, practical support and financial arrangements before deciding whether to proceed.