Who can become a respite foster carer?

A respite foster carer must be an adult who can meet fostering standards and provide planned, short-term care that meets a child or young person’s needs. Approval is based on your circumstances, health, household, home and ability to work with the fostering service, rather than on whether you have a particular family structure or previous fostering experience.

Age and personal circumstances

In England, applicants generally need to be at least 21. There is no automatic upper age limit, although the assessment will consider your health, energy, experience and ability to care safely for the age group you want to support. You can usually apply whether you are single, married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner. Your religion, ethnic background or sexual orientation should not prevent you from applying.

You do not normally need to own your home. People who rent, live in social housing or have a mortgage may all be considered, although you must have secure accommodation and obtain any permission required from a landlord or housing provider. The fostering service will also consider whether your home provides appropriate sleeping arrangements, privacy and space for a child.

What the assessment looks at

The assessment is designed to establish whether you can offer consistent, safe and appropriate care. It may explore:

• your reasons for wanting to provide respite care;
• your understanding of children’s experiences, including separation, loss, trauma and changes in routine;
• your ability to set clear boundaries while remaining patient and responsive;
• how you communicate with parents, social workers, schools and other professionals;
• your health, lifestyle and capacity to manage the practical demands of caring;
• your household relationships and the likely impact of fostering on everyone at home;
• your previous experience of caring for or working with children, where relevant; and
• the days, school holidays, overnight periods or other times when respite care may fit realistically around your commitments.

Respite care still requires reliability and preparation. Although placements may be shorter than some other fostering arrangements, children need carers who will follow agreed routines, manage information sensitively and provide continuity between the child’s usual home and the respite placement.

Other people in your household

Everyone who lives in or regularly visits your home will be considered as part of the assessment. This includes a partner, children, adult relatives and, where relevant, frequent visitors. Household members need to understand what respite fostering involves and be able to support the arrangements. Their views may be discussed during assessment, and checks will be completed where required.

Having birth children does not automatically prevent you from fostering. The fostering service will consider their ages, needs, routines and views, as well as how a respite placement might affect them. Pets are also assessed because their behaviour, size and care needs must be compatible with a child’s safety.

Checks and suitability

Applicants undergo statutory and agency checks, which can include criminal record checks, health information, references and checks with relevant local authorities. A conviction does not automatically mean that you cannot foster, but some offences or circumstances may prevent approval or require careful consideration. You should be open about your history so that the fostering service can assess it properly.

Health conditions, disabilities or prescribed medication are not automatically disqualifying. The important question is whether you can safely meet the needs of the children for whom you are being considered. Medical advice may be requested to understand any support, adjustments or restrictions that should be taken into account.

Approval for respite fostering

If your application progresses, the assessment will help identify the age range, number of children and types of needs you may be approved to care for. It will also consider whether respite-only fostering is appropriate or whether you are seeking another form of approval. You will be expected to complete the required preparation and training and participate in the assessment process before a fostering decision is made.

There is no requirement to present yourself as having every answer. The assessment is intended to identify your strengths, areas for development and the kind of support that would help you care effectively. Ask about the training, supervision, practical guidance and financial arrangements available before deciding whether respite fostering is right for your household. Become A Foster Family supports applicants across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire.