Who can foster? | Fostering UK Requirements

Is there criteria I have to meet?

The minimum requirements you will need to foster are:

Be aged 21+ (there is no upper age limit to foster)
Have a spare bedroom (but you do not need to own your house)
Have a legal right to work in the UK

What else do I need to foster?

To foster you don’t need to be a parent already, be married or in a couple, but you will need resilience, dedication, endurance and plenty of humour. Here is what you do need and what you definitely don’t, in order to foster a child or young person with FCA Scotland:

You don’t need qualifications or childcare experience.

You can be single, in a couple or married.

You usually need to be able to foster full time, though there are exceptions.

You don’t have to be in work as you will receive financial support.

You’ll need patience, energy, resilience and commitment.

Regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability, you can foster.

You don’t have to be a parent already, we will give you lots of training.

What makes a great foster carer?

When it comes to being a foster carer and fostering a child, it’s your personal qualities that count. We proudly welcome people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, all religions and sexual orientations. If you’ve got plenty of patience, resilience, empathy and commitment then we would love to hear from you!

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Are you thinking of fostering?

Download FCA Scotland’s complete beginner’s guide to fostering a child.
Find out more on how to foster a child and the process involved, along with the fantastic benefits of fostering with FCA Scotland.

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Can I foster if I’m single?

Of course! A lot of our foster carers at FCA Scotland are single men, women or parents.

Can I foster if I’m gay?

You can definitely foster no matter your sexuality. We are proud to welcome LGBTQ foster parents so find out more about joining FCA Scotland today!

Am I too old to start fostering?

There is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer, as long as you are able to care for a child and meet their needs.

Disability and fostering

Right now we have many foster carer on our team with a physical disability or mental health condition, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t apply.

What next?

Take a look at the fostering process, get in touch or read through our FAQs to learn more about fostering.

Who can apply to become a foster carer?

Anyone can apply to foster with us. We welcome foster carers from all walks of life; no matter what your gender, age, race or sexual orientation. We do have criteria though:

You need a spare room
You need to be over 21
You need to have British Citizenship or permanent leave to stay in the UK

Do I need any special qualifications or experience to foster?

No, we will give you all the training you need together with ongoing development and support.

Learn more about the fostering process.

Do I need to have a spare room to foster?

Yes, you’ll need to have a spare bedroom to foster a child.

There are a number of different reasons why you need a spare bedroom in your home. Primarily it is part of the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards stating every child over the age of three should have their own bedroom. But not only this, there are many other factors such as the child’s safety, security and privacy to also consider.

A child needs their own bedroom to provide a sense of security and dedicated space to play or be creative without distraction.

Learn more about fostering and a spare bedroom.

Can a foster child share a bedroom?

No, every child and young person requires their own space, regardless of whether they’ve been raised in foster care.

A bedroom is a space in which children and young people can call theirs, giving them the much needed opportunity to play, discover, be imaginative and creative all without excessive disruptions. Some children who fostered may be troubled from previous experiences so providing a bedroom for them will help them to process events from their life and give them a place for time to reflect and think. Somewhere they can feel calm and relaxed.

Speak to our team

Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we’re here to talk.

Enquiry Form

You are required to have a spare bedroom that’s always available to a foster child. The spare room cannot be shared, and must be big enough to fit a single bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.

Do you have a spare room?*

To be approved as a foster carer in the UK, you must be a British citizen or have the legal right to remain in the UK without restrictions that would prevent fostering.

Which of the following applies to you?*

How can we help you with your enquiry?*

The following questions are intended to help us understand your experience with children. Please note that prior experience is not required to become a foster carer, as full training will be provided.

Have you had children of your own?*

Do you have professional experience of working with children?*

Have you had any prior experience of fostering, such as being a foster parent or growing up in a fostering family?*

Have you ever adopted a child?*

Are you happy to receive regular fostering news from us?*

Yes

No

First Name*

Last Name*

Phone Number*

Email Address*

Postcode*