What you need to become a foster carer.
Fostering is a rewarding way to make a positive difference to a child's life and a wonderful way to enrich your own. By providing a stable and welcoming home for a child you're giving them the chance of a better future.
We're looking for people in Bristol who can:
- give children and young people a safe, caring and supportive home
- work with us as part of a team
We welcome people of any ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion. It doesn't matter whether:
- you're married, in a civil partnership, or single
- you have a job
- you have a disability or long term health issue
There's no typical foster family, just as there's no typical child.
You don't need formal qualifications to become a foster carer. What you do need is compassion, patience, and a willingness to learn. We'll provide full training and ongoing support to help you develop the skills and confidence to meet the needs of the children in your care. There are different types of foster care available, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Could you foster?
Answer these 3 questions to see if you could become a foster carer.
What you need to become a foster carer
To become a foster carer, you'll need to:
- be at least 21 years old
- have a spare bedroom suitable for a child or young person (with the exception of babies under 3)
- be a full-time resident in the UK or have indefinite leave to remain
- be able to provide consistent care, often on a full-time basis
- be in good enough health to care for a child
It also helps to have:
- the support of your family
- a desire to help others learn
- a sense of humour
- a desire to learn new things
- patience and understanding
Don't rule yourself out, even if you feel you might not have everything it takes.
If you have questions about any aspect of fostering, or would like to talk to us about it before making a decision, call us on 0117 353 4200. We'd love to talk you through any questions you have, and help you with next steps.
