Choosing to be a foster carer

Foster carers offer a home to local children and young people while their own parents are unable to look after them. They provide the same kind of care as a good parent.

As a foster carer, you are not trying to replace a child's parents. You are helping to reunite the family, where possible, by working with us and the child's family.

There are many different types of foster care. You can be involved for a few hours or a few years – it's up to you. If you're committed to helping, then we'll find something that works for you.

Benefits of being a foster carer

There are many benefits of being a foster carer such as:

• making a difference to a child's life
• helping others
• enjoying having children in your life
• the satisfaction of nurturing and caring for a child
• the opportunity to share your valuable parenting or life skills
• teaching your own family to give and share with others

Things to consider

When thinking about becoming a foster carer, you should to consider:

• the child and age group you would be able to care for
• whether you have space in your home
• your working pattern and arrangements
• who is around to help you, such as family, friends, baby-sitters
• whether you are prepared for your life to change
• how the other the people in your home would feel about fostering
• if you have a partner, how they would adapt and whether they ready to support you
• how you would react if you found it hard to communicate with the foster child
• how you would respond to a child's demands for attention, affection or reassurance
• how you would react to a child who was careless with things you value

We will make sure you receive the help and support you need in making a wonderful difference to a child's life.