Thinking about fostering?

What is a foster carer?

Foster care, or fostering, is the term used to describe an approved foster carer offering a home to a child or young person who can’t live with their own family.

Sometimes a child or young person will stay for a very short time before returning to their family, others may need to live with a foster family for a long time.

Some children and young people may have regular contact with other members of their family, even if they cannot live with them.

How do I become a foster carer?

STEP 1. Initial contact

It all begins by making contact with our friendly enquiries officer by telephone on:

0800 05 222 50 or through our online registration form

The enquiries officer will have an informal discussion with you and we will then send you our comprehensive fostering guide or you can order free copy online here.

STEP 2. Home visit

We will make arrangements to visit you in your own home to discuss fostering in detail.

STEP 3. Introductory training

The assessment process begins with attendance to our ‘Skills to Foster’ training. This usually takes place over two days. If you have a partner, you both will need to attend the training.

This will help you gain a clear understanding of fostering before you decide to confirm, and will cover:

• What foster care involves
• Identity and life chances
• Safer caring
• Working with others
• Understanding and caring for children and young people
• Transitions

You will also have the opportunity to speak directly with one of our foster carers who can talk you through their experience of fostering with the Together Trust.

STEP 4. Assessment process

Following the training if you and the Together Trust feel fostering is right for you, we will start the assessment and undertake statutory checks and personal references.

A qualified social worker will undertake an assessment report with you at your home. The social worker will also meet with your personal referees, members of your household and any grown up children you have living away from home. As part of our safer recruitment we will also undertake background checks.

Assessment may sound daunting but remember we are here to help you. Once the assessment is complete and signed by you it will go to the fostering panel.

STEP 5. Fostering panel and agency decision maker

The panel comprises people with a wide range of professional expertise and personal experience. They are responsible for making a recommendation as to whether you are suitable to be a foster carer.

STEP 6. You are approved!

Welcome to the Together Trust fostering family.

We are delighted to have you join us in making a real difference to the lives of children and young people.

How much do foster carers get paid?

Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child. They also receive a fee for their skills, training and experience. The allowance amount varies based on the child's age, the foster carer's experience, and the type of fostering. Some foster carers can also receive additional payments for birthdays, holidays, and other specific needs of the child

If you want to find out more about fostering allowances, get in touch with your friendly local fostering team. They are happy to answer your financial questions, as well as any other fostering queries you have.

What skills do I need to become a foster carer?

You will need plenty of patience, enthusiasm, often humour and always kindness. Parenting experience is helpful, you need to be adaptable and need to demonstrate an understanding of the complex needs of the children and young people who are looked after. Commitment to children and young people is key – stickability.

Will I have to leave my job?

Not necessarily. It is important that you can commit sufficient time to the child or young person, including attending meetings and taking them to contact sessions or appointments, and arrangements for school holidays. Some foster carers balance part-time work with fostering.

Do foster carers pay council tax?

Foster carers are subject to the same Council Tax rules as any other household in the UK. However, there are specific considerations and exemptions that could potentially apply to foster carers. These may result in council tax reductions or even free council tax for foster carers in certain areas.

Foster carers might be eligible for discounts or exemptions, pending an analysis of their individual circumstances. Here are some possible discounts that are worth considering:

Single Person Discount

If you are a single person fostering a child, you may be eligible for the single person discount, which reduces your Council Tax bill by 25%.

Second Adult Rebate

If another adult lives with you, as long as they are currently on a low income, you might be eligible for a second adult rebate.

Council Tax Reduction

Foster carers on a low income might also qualify for Council Tax Reduction, a significant means-tested benefit that can lower or eliminate the amount of Council Tax you have to pay.

Do I need a car?

Foster carers sometimes need to transport children and young people to contact sessions with their birth families and appointments, plus travel to meetings about the child or young person. It would be challenging to do this without a car.

I am already approved with another fostering agency, can I transfer?

We welcome applications from people already approved to foster with another agency. You would have to be reassessed but this should be fairly straightforward as you will have all your experience in fostering. Carers are not able to foster with more than one agency at a time.

Am I too old to foster?

There is no upper age limit for fostering but you do need to be at least 21 years old.
Foster carers need to have reasonable health and have a positive outlook. The assessment will look at your individual skills and situation.

What will the assessment be like and how long will it take?

Assessments start with taking up references with statutory organisations and police checks. Our very experienced social workers will support you through every step of the way and will be able to answer all of your questions. We aim to complete assessments within four to six months.

How will my own children be affected by fostering?

Fostering involves the whole family and it is important that you talk to your children, whether living with you or not, and ask their views. Becoming a foster carer means sharing your home and family life with children or young people who have had very different life experiences.
If you decide to continue with your interest in fostering the home visit by a social worker will include a discussion with your family.

I am single and have never had any children of my own, will I be able to foster?

Our fostering family includes foster carers with a wide range of experiences and situations, including a number of single carers. We will talk to you about your experience of caring for children. The important factor is that you have friends and family to support you.

We are in a same sex relationship. Can we become foster carers?

Here at the Together Trust, we are proud to support LGBTQ+ individuals and couples wanting to foster. We are a New Family Social member and take pride in making sure every individual or family going through the fostering process with us is treated equally and with respect.

How will fostering affect my welfare benefits?

If you currently claim welfare benefits it is likely you will be able to continue while fostering. Foster carer allowances may be disregarded when calculating welfare benefits. We can assist with advice and you can also contact The Fostering Network (www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk).

Would I have to have contact with birth families?

Foster carers often take children and young people to contact sessions with birth parents or siblings. Parents and wider family are important to children and young people who are looked after, so it is important that foster carers encourage contact where appropriate. We will support you to prepare for this.

Do you need to contact my ex-partner?

If you are separated, divorced or ended a relationship where you had lived with a partner we will need to contact them. This is part of the assessment to ask if they have any concerns about your suitability to foster.

Please do not worry as we do realise that not all relationships end amicably, we will take this into consideration. There are a few, exceptional situations to this check being made, and if you are concerned about it please discuss with the social worker who visits you at home.

I am a member of a church/faith group. Will this affect me becoming a foster carer?

We welcome applications from people of all faiths and religions and those without. Faith can be a very positive factor meaning people have strong support networks. It is important that you can promote equality and diversity, and think about whether any strong beliefs may conflict with fostering and supporting children or young people in whatever situation they may be in.