Fostering frequently asked questions (FAQs)

There’s sometimes confusion about what fostering really involves. To help, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions people ask us. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, or on our fostering webpages, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a no-pressure chat. We’d be very happy to talk to you and see if we can help.

• Do foster carers get paid? Is there an allowance for foster carers? 
• Can I foster if I work part- or full-time?
• What’s the difference between fostering and adoption?
• What’s the difference between being a foster parent and foster carer?
• Can foster parents adopt the children they foster?
• I’m worried I won’t know how to support a child who’s experienced trauma, or what to do if my foster child acts out. What should I do?
• How long do child(ren) stay in foster care? How long does a fostering placement last?
• What happens if I no longer want to foster?
• What's the role of the social worker?

Do foster carers get paid? Is there an allowance for foster carers? 

We know money is not what’s motivating your interest, but we also understand that you’ll want to give any foster children you look after the best care you can, without worrying about the cost. That’s why we’ll give you generous financial support, including a taxable income, as well as a weekly fostering allowance to help with the cost of looking after a child. Find out more about the financial support we offer foster carers, including how much you’ll receive.

What’s the difference between fostering and adoption?

Both fostering and adoption provide a safe, secure and stable environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth family. 

Adoption means taking full legal and parental responsibility for a child. It is a life-long commitment supported by an adoption order, which is granted through a court and is permanent. 

With fostering, there are different options. You could care for a child for one night, a few days or even several years, depending on the needs of the child and what you are able to provide. When a child’s time with their foster family ends it can be because they are able to live with their birth family again, or it might be that they go on to another, more permanent, home. Find out more about different types of fostering. Another key difference is that when a child is fostered, legal responsibility for them stays with the local authority. 

There’s also a financial difference between fostering and adoption. Foster carers receive financial support, including a taxable income, as well as a weekly fostering allowance to help with the cost of caring for a child. Find out more about the financial support we offer foster carers. Adopters are entitled to Statutory Adoption Leave and Statutory Adoption Pay (which is similar to maternity pay and leave) and can also access funding for therapeutic support. They may also be able to claim other means-tested benefits such as the Adoption Allowance, Child Benefit and Tax Credits.

Sometimes with long term fostering (or permanent foster care) the foster family will care for a child or young person until they reach adulthood, so they are effectively part of the family, but legal responsibility remains with the local authority.  

What’s the difference between being a foster parent and foster carer?

There isn’t one! Some people prefer to be called foster carers because they don’t want a child to feel they’re trying to replace their biological parents. Others prefer foster parent because they feel it better describes their role, particularly if they’re fostering a child long-term.

Whichever name you use the role is the same. It’s about providing children and young people who cannot live with their birth family a safe, secure, stable and loving environment.

Can foster parents adopt the children they foster?

This sometimes happens. Like adoption, fostering provides children a safe and stable place to live, but with fostering legal responsibility continues to sit with the local authority. Foster care placements are usually temporary, although they can sometimes last years, until a child can return to their birth family or moves to a permanent home.

Occasionally families do end up adopting their foster child, even if they didn’t set out to adopt. This might happen if it’s decided that a child can’t return to their birth family, the child is happily settled with their foster family and the family want to take legal responsibility for the child.

There’s also a specific type of fostering called ‘fostering to adopt’, which is when a child is fostered by a person or a couple who are approved to both foster and to adopt. This tends to be used for babies and young children who are likely to need adoption but still have a chance of being reunited with their birth families. If the court decides it’s in a child’s best interests to be adopted the child doesn’t have to move to another home. They’re already living and comfortable with people who can now adopt them and provide their forever home. Find out more about fostering to adopt.

I’m worried I won’t know how to support a child who’s experienced trauma, or what to do if my foster child acts out. What should I do?

All families have good and bad days, and all parents and carers will experience challenging behaviour at times. If you’re nervous about your ability to do a good job that’s because you’re a person who cares and wants the best for a child you’re responsible for. That means you’ve already got some of the most important attributes a foster carer needs.

You don’t just need to rely on that though. Before you start fostering, you’ll be given training that will help prepare you and give you tools you can use once you welcome a child into your home. It covers the special skills foster carers need to care for children who may have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences such as abuse and neglect. The aim is to give you the skills you will need as a future foster carer. Our support doesn’t stop there, once you start you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline, a dedicated support worker and an incredible community of foster carers to draw upon, as well as ongoing training. We don’t expect you to know all the answers or be able to cope alone, we’ll be right there beside you. Find out more about the training we offer foster carers.

How long do child(ren) stay in foster care? How long does a fostering placement last?

How long a foster care placement will last depends on the type of care a child needs. It could be a night, a week or month, or years. Find out more about the different types of fostering placement we offer. If everyone agrees, a long-term foster child can stay with a family after they turn 18. When a child’s time with their foster family ends it can be because they are able to live with their birth family again, or it might be that they go on to another, more permanent, home. 

If you’re a foster carer you’ll always be asked about the type of foster care you want to provide and what will work with your life. So, before they arrive you’ll have a good idea how long a child is likely to stay with you.

What happens if I no longer want to foster?

If your circumstances change and you can’t or you don’t want to be a foster carer any longer we’ll support you through the process of de-registering. If you have a child in your care when you decide to stop fostering you’ll need to keep looking after them for up to 28 days while we find them a new home. Your social worker will support you and your application will go back to the fostering panel just as it did when you applied to be a fostering carer. Then you’ll officially no longer be a foster carer.

What’s the role of social workers in fostering?

Sometimes people can have negative ideas about social workers, but their role in fostering is to support you as a foster carer, as well as the child in your care. The child will also have their own supervising social worker so you’ve both got your own, different sources of support. Your social worker will be in touch regularly by phone, message and in person to make sure you’re all alright and the child is getting the care they need. They will also help with your training and development to make sure you’ve got the skills you need. Social workers also provide assistance and guidance to foster carers so they can support the child to see their birth family.

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• Can I foster if I identify as gay, queer or as part of the LGBT+ community? What support do you offer LGBT+ people who foster?
• I’ve had some difficult personal experiences, could I still be a foster carer?
• Can I foster if I rent, rather than own, my home? Can I foster if I live in a flat?
• When you say I need a ‘spare room’ to foster, what does that really mean?
• Can foster children share a room? Can a foster child share a bedroom with my biological child? If I foster siblings, can they share a room?
• Can I foster if I’m religious?
• Can I foster if I’ve got pets?
• Can I foster if I already have children living at home? Can I foster if I have biological children?
• Can I foster if I’m single?
• Can I foster if I have a history of poor mental health?
• Is there an age limit to becoming a foster carer? How old do you have to be to foster?
• Can I foster if I have a disability, or if I'm living with HIV, or another long-term health condition?
• Do I need qualifications or specific experience to foster?

Can I foster if I identify as gay, queer or as part of the LGBT+ community? What support do you offer LGBT+ people who foster?

If you’re a caring person who wants to provide a stable and safe place for a child or young person, we’d love to hear from you. Your gender identity or sexuality is not an obstacle to you fostering with us. Find out more about fostering with us if you’re part of the LGBT+ community.

In addition, people who adopt or foster with us who are part of the LGBT+ community, become part of the New Family Social Network, a UK wide network helping build strong and happy LGBT+ adoptive and foster families.

I’ve had some difficult personal experiences, could I still be a foster carer?

Going through hard things in your past may mean you’re better able to understand and help children who have had their own difficulties, so don’t rule yourself out as a foster carer. If you’re able to give a child a loving, stable home where they can feel they belong you could be a foster carer, whatever you may have experienced. We’ll be there to support you every step of the way. You’re welcome to get in touch with us to have a no-pressure and judgement free chat about fostering.

Can I foster if I rent, rather than own, my home? Can I foster if I live in a flat?

Absolutely! Foster carers live in all types of homes, there’s no stereotype you have to fit.

You can foster if you rent your home. If you have a legally binding tenancy agreement, you can foster children in a rented house.

When you say I need a ‘spare room’ to foster, what does that really mean?

The national minimum standards for fostering services in England says that when being fostered, each child over the age of three should have their own bedroom (Department for Education, 2011). There are similar requirements in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This room should be a space they can call their own. A sofa bed in a shared area isn’t an appropriate bedroom, as it doesn’t provide the necessary privacy and personal space for a child. Their bedroom should be a safe and comfy place where they can feel like they belong.

A spare room should have a window, door, bed, and if they’re a bit older, a desk with a chair. A heater or radiator is essential to keep the room warm. The room doesn’t need to be huge, but it should have enough storage for their clothes and belongings and enough floor space for them to play if they’re a younger child. A loft conversion can be considered a spare room if it meets all relevant building regulations and is sufficiently sized.

Can foster children share a room? Can a foster child share a bedroom with my biological child? If I foster siblings, can they share a room?

Foster children cannot share a room with a biological child. It’s really important that foster children have somewhere private they can go to if they need a bit of space.

Sometimes if siblings are being fostered together it can be agreed that they can share a room, particularly if that’s what they’ve always known. However, there should be space for them to have a room each as they age.  

Can I foster if I’m religious?

Yes, we welcome foster carers of all faiths, as well as people who aren’t religious. What's most important is that you are caring, patient, understanding and can offer the child or young person in your care a positive and loving environment. You might be asked about providing a home to a child from a different religious or cultural background to yourself, if you can provide care with empathy and patience then you can be a foster carer.

Can I foster if I’ve got pets?

Yes! You can foster if you have a pet at home. Animals can actually promote positive behaviour and be a good influence within a foster family. 

Of course, it’s important children can be safely welcomed into an environment with animals which is why, alongside the people in your home, the pets will also go through an assessment process. This will take into account factors such as their temperament, behaviour and ability to adapt to strangers in their home.

Before a child can join your family, their needs will be taken into account to ensure their safety and wellbeing. For example, if a child is allergic to cats or has a strong fear of dogs, it’s unlikely they’ll be matched to your household. However, if there are no concerns, our expert team will work with you so the child can form a good relationship with your pet.

Can I foster if I already have children living at home? Can I foster if I have biological children?

Yes, you can foster if you already have children living in your home.

As part of the application and assessment process, a social worker will meet with the children in your family to discuss their thoughts and feelings. If, as a family, you decide to foster we will work hard to ensure an appropriate match between a fostered child and your own family. Your child’s experience will be reviewed regularly, and support will be offered to ensure that their experience of fostering is a happy and positive one.

Can I foster if I’m single?

Yes, you can foster with us if you’re single, but whether you’re in a relationship or not, taking care of a child is much easier when you’ve got people to call upon when you need a bit of help. We’ll provide support to you, and you’ll be able to build your own network of fellow foster carers through our training and events.

Can I foster if I have a history of poor mental health?

Anyone can experience poor mental health, and it doesn't automatically rule you out of fostering. Recovering from, or living with, mental illness can show resilience, strength and openness, which are great qualities in a foster carer. We look at the current health and resilience of individuals and couples and how they worked through their mental health issues. Get in touch with us to have a no-pressure and judgement free chat about fostering. 

Is there an age limit to becoming a foster carer? How old do you have to be to foster?

You need to be over 21 years of age but there’s no upper age limit. It’s all about what you can bring to the life of a child in care rather than how many, or few, years you’ve got under your belt! 

Can I foster if I have a disability, or if I'm living with HIV, or another long-term health condition?

Successfully managing your health shows that you are a responsible person and therefore could be a great foster carer. We’ll consider your current health and how well you can care for a child. Get in touch with us to have a no-pressure chat and our friendly team will happily answer your questions.

Successfully managing your health shows that you are a responsible person and therefore could be a great foster carer. We’ll consider your current health and how well you can care for a child. Get in touch with us to have a no-pressure chat and our friendly team will happily answer your questions.

Do I need qualifications or specific experience to foster?

You don’t need any particular qualifications to become a foster carer. We’ll provide training before you start and we’ll keep offering it after you welcome a child into your home. You’ll also have access to our round-the-clock helpline, a dedicated support worker, financial support and our incredible community of foster carers. Find out more about the training and support we offer our foster carers.

Many of our foster carers have experience of working with children, or in caring professions but you don’t have to have this. If you have the desire to give a child a loving, stable home you could be a great foster carer.

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• How long does it take to become a foster carer?
• Will I need to I disclose my sexual orientation or gender identity? If so, when?
• What questions will I get asked as part of the fostering process?

How long does it take to become a foster carer?

It takes on average six months to become an approved foster carer with us. Find out more about the process of becoming a foster carer.

Will I need to I disclose my sexual orientation or gender identity? If so, when?

Your sexual orientation or gender identity status is just one small part of the full picture of your life, but you’ll need to share this as part of the process. We consider all aspects of your life, which will assist us in matching a child and being because we want to make sure your placement is the best one for you, and being open about your life will help us work together to achieve this. Find out more about fostering with us as a member of the LGBT+ community.

What questions will I get asked as part of the fostering process?

During the assessment process you’ll be asked about the reasons you would like to foster and your family background. You’ll also need to go through various assessments including police checks/enhanced criminal record checks, medical checks, financial checks and you’ll need professional and personal references. Our assessment process is thorough because we want you to be fully prepared for the challenges and rewards that fostering brings and to ensure any child who lives with you will be safe and well cared for. 

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• Can I transfer from my current foster agency to Barnardo’s?
• What training and support does Barnardo’s offer foster carers?

Can I transfer from my current foster agency to Barnardo’s?

Yes. If you are a foster carer who is already registered with a fostering agency, you can transfer to Barnardo’s. Find out more about transferring between fostering agencies.

What training and support does Barnardo’s offer foster carers?

We offer foster carers a preparation course to help them understand the commitment they are making, develop their parenting skills, and understand the special skills they’ll need to care for children who may have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

Once you are a Barnardo’s foster carer you will have access to a 24/7 advice and support phone line provided by our social workers. You will receive generous financial support, be invited to support groups and family social events, offered a high level of professional training and development and become a member of the Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity. Find out more about the training and support we offer our foster carers.

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If we haven’t answered your question here you’re welcome to get in touch to have a no-pressure chat. We’d be very happy to talk to you and see if we can help.