Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the difference between adoption and fostering?
A. Adopters will become the full legal parents of any child. They have all the same rights and responsibilities for that child as any other parents. Foster carers look after children on behalf of the local authority. Fostering initially offers children and young people a temporary home until they can either return to their own family, are found a permanent foster family or adopters or are old enough to move on to live independently. Children who are fostered remain the legal responsibility of the child’s parents or the parents share this responsibility together with the local authority. Foster carers will not be able to make major decisions without permission, though they have the day to day care of the child/young person.
Q. Who can foster or adopt?
A. All kinds of people. You might have heard all sorts of rumours about people being told they can’t foster or adopt. Don’t let this put you off applying. Our first consideration is what you can offer a child. You will need lots of physical, mental and emotional energy to look after a child. We will help, advise and support you to make the right decision about fostering and adoption.
Q. Can I foster and adopt if…
- I am over 50?
A. Yes. We do not have an upper age limit, but you would need to be fit and healthy enough to care for a child safely throughout the time they will be living with you. Legally the youngest age at which you can adopt is 21. - I’m not married?
A. Yes. Single people can foster/adopt a child. Unmarried couples can foster and adopt, but currently only one of an couple can be the legal adopter. However the law is in the process of being changed and as from April 2004 unmarried couples will be able to adopt. - I am unemployed?
A. Yes, those who are unemployed can adopt/foster a child. - I work full time?
A. Adopters can work, although it is important to be able to take a period of time off when a child first comes to live with you. Foster carers can also work, however, one carer needs to be available to look after the children, attend meetings, training and so on as necessary. Those befriending or offering short breaks for parents or other carers can work. - I don’t own my home?
A. Yes. You need to show that you have enough room to care for a child/children, safely, whether you rent or own your home. You need to have a spare bedroom for the child/children. - I’m gay or a lesbian?
A. Yes you can become a foster carer or adopter. - I have a disability and/or health problem?
A. This would depend on your disability/health problem and how this affects your ability to care for a child. We will ask for a medical report and consider our doctor’s views. - I am overweight?
A. Everyone who applies to adopt or foster is asked to undertake a general medical examination. Only if being overweight presents a very serious medical threat to your health would you not be allowed to adopt or foster. If there are concerns about your health we may ask you to have your medical at an early stage. We then consider our doctor’s views. - I smoke?
A. Smokers are allowed to either foster or adopt, however we can’t place children/young people with health or respiratory problems or those under the age of 2 years with you if you smoke. - I have a police record?
A. Having a police record does not automatically mean that you cannot adopt/foster a child or young person. Talk to one of our workers as soon as you can and we will tell you if you can adopt or foster. This depends on, for example, why you were convicted, how long ago and what has happened since. People with convictions for offences against children cannot adopt or foster. - I already have children of my own?
A. Yes. Your own children would be included in the approval process too, as their views and feelings about your plans will have to be taken into account. - I am not a UK resident?
A. No. You must have legal residency in the UK to adopt or foster and have held this residency for at least one year before applying to adopt a British child. This includes British citizens and residents of the Republic of Ireland. - I do not live in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
A. Yes, you can still adopt or foster with Barnardo’s. We cover much of the North East including Northumberland, Tyneside, Wearside, Durham and Teesside. If you live outside of our catchment area we will be able to advise you of your nearest adoption or fostering agency.
Q. How long does it take to adopt/foster and what does it entail?
A. Preparing for adoption or fostering takes several months. It is a two way process. We need to get to know you and what you can offer. You need to find out what is involved. You may find it’s not for you or we may feel it’s not for you or your family at any point along the way, so it’s important we keep talking openly to each other.
- Step 1
You can contact us by telephone, letter or email and we will send you out an information pack. One of our workers will talk to you about adoption or fostering and then by agreement will visit you in your home. You will be given an Expression of Interest form to fill in. - Step 2
By law we then have to check with people like the police, doctors and schools that a child will be safe with you and your family. We will also ask you for the names of people who know you who can provide references about your suitability to adopt or foster. - Step 3
You must go to a preparation course where you learn about adoption and fostering. You will meet and can get to know other people who want to adopt or foster. During this course we also give you the chance to get together with people who have adopted or fostered children and talk to them about their experiences. - Step 4
We will ask you to complete an application form. Completing this means you are making a formal application to foster or adopt. - Step 5
After visiting you for several months; one of our workers writes a report which you will be able to read. A panel of people meet to talk about this report and then make a recommendation to the assistant director of Barnardo’s who will decide whether your application was successful. The panel is a group of people including professional staff and members of the public who have experience and knowledge about fostering and adoption.
Q. Will I be asked a lot of personal questions?
A. The frank answer is yes, but you will be allocated a Barnardo’s worker who you will get to know. Everything we want to know is related to the fostering/adoption task and if you are not sure how please ask. The process is exacting but people tell us it is not as bad as they thought and they do feel involved.
Q. Can I apply to more than one agency?
A. You can make enquiries with as many agencies as you like, but when you come to make an application you must decide on one agency only.
Q. Can we attend the panel meeting?
A. Yes, you are welcome to attend
Q. Are there babies that need adopting?
A. It is unusual for Barnardo’s to be approached to find foster carers/adopters for a baby. The children we are asked to find homes for are usually a little older but if a group of brothers and sisters need a home there will probably be a young child. Talk to us about the kind of child/children you are hoping to care for and we will advise you whether we or another agency can best help you.
Q. Do children keep in contact with their birth families?
A. Most children placed with both adoptive and foster carers will have some form of ongoing contact with their birth families. This may be direct face to face meetings or letter/card contact.
Q. Will I receive financial support?
A. Foster carers, those offering short breaks, be-frienders, and babysitters receive a regular payment for each child they care for. Adoptive parents may sometimes receive payments but it depends on the needs of the child and the adopter’s income.
Q. What support/help will I get once I am fostering or have adopted?
A. Barnardo’s offers a comprehensive post adoption service. A post adoption – support worker keeps in touch with adopters to offer help and advice on all aspects of adoption. All foster carers are invited to join support groups with other carers. Each foster family also has their own Barnardo’s support worker to visit regularly and offer advice/help. Genesis and other short term foster carers get a three week paid break per year from fostering. Genesis carers are paid a retainer amount when they do not have a child living with them.
Q. What training is there?
A. Barnardo’s run continuous training courses for all adopters and foster carers. A range of interesting and informative subjects are offered to help carers with all the tasks involved.
