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Becoming A Foster Carer
Benefits of becoming a foster parent
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What is Foster Care?
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Fostering Regulations
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How to foster – everything you ever wanted to know
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Foster Care Handbook
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Changing IFA - Transferring to Capstone
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Fostering Stories
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Children needing Fostering
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Mythbusting the top 10 Foster Care Myths
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A criminal record does not necessarily disqualify you from becoming a foster carer. The circumstances of the crime, how long ago the criminal activity took place, and the type of offence are all factors considered during your application process.
The type of offence is especially important. There are criminal convictions that do preclude individuals from fostering, such as offences against children, sexual offences, and certain violent crimes. Part of your assessment involves considering the risk your past offences pose to children and young people. After this, we will make a decision regarding your suitability as a foster carer.
Whether you apply through your local authority or through a service such as Capstone Foster Care, part of the assessment process includes a police check or Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to check on anyone in your household over the age of 18.
If you have a criminal record and would like to know if you meet the fostering criteria, discuss the concept of fostering with Capstone Foster Care and be straightforward about your criminal record. The DBS check will reveal any criminal records you have, so the earlier in the process you discuss this aspect of your history, the better it is.
As well as the DBS check, you will undergo a health check. A social worker will also make home visits and it may take several months before a decision is made.
If you are a patient individual, with a good sense of humour and an understanding personality, you have the essential traits required to be a foster carer. If your offences don’t prevent you from becoming a foster carer, there are still other considerations to be made by local authorities or fostering services.
At Capstone, the minimum age to be a foster carer is 21 - there is no upper age limit. Other than this, primary considerations include:
· Health
· Maturity
· Ability to perform the demanding tasks associated with looking after a child or young person.
· Space available in your home (each bedroom should be spacious enough to hold a single bed and a chest of drawers or a wardrobe).
Your marital status is not a factor. You can be married, single, in a common law relationship, gay or straight. There should not be aggressive pets in the household and if the foster child is under 5, it should be a non-smoking home.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, you are in high demand. Contact Capstone Foster Care with any specific questions you may have. We are willing to discuss any concerns you have about offences that have resulted in a criminal record before the assessment process begins. Once you are approved by Capstone Foster Care, you will have our full support. All the details of the placement will be discussed with you in advance, and you’ll be provided with ongoing help, training and support. Allowances are made for the fact that you are new to fostering and you will have a supervising social worker to help you.
If you would like to register your interest, or simply talk to someone further, please call Capstone Foster Care on 0800 012 4004 or simply click here.
If you’ve got any questions or would like to find out more about fostering with Capstone, fill out the form below.
An experienced fostering advisor from your local area will then be in touch.
Start the conversation today. Our team of friendly advisors are on hand to answer any foster care questions you may have. We can offer you honest and practical advice that can help you decide if becoming a foster carer is the right path for you.
