What do Foster Carers do/FAQs
What do foster carers do?
Apart from looking after children on a day-to-day basis while meeting their many needs, foster carers work in collaboration with a network of other people who play an important part in the lives of children and young people. Foster carers have a vital role to play in helping young people maintain positive relationships with family, social workers, teachers, doctors, health visitors and occasionally, members of the legal profession. Foster carers also work as part of a wider team and help is always available from Hounslow Council to support you along the way.
How long does it take to become an approved foster carer?
From the application stage, it is expected that within sixth months the process of approval should be achieved.
Do I have to have a childcare qualification?
You don’t need to have any formal qualifications to foster for Hounslow or previous experience of working with children or have children of your own. We provide all necessary training to support you to succeed as a foster carer.
Will my spouse/partner also need to be assessed?
Yes, if you are living together, you will both need to be jointly assessed.
What qualities would I need?
Foster carers will enjoy being around children and maintain a kind, loving attitude towards them. Foster carers also need to be flexible, open-minded, patient, tolerant and understanding.
What can I expect?
Foster carers give generously of their time and effort yet may feel they are getting little back. Carers may not see the benefit of their hard work for a long time as each child will develop, adjust, and progress at their own pace. However, experienced carers will look back and see the real difference they have made to the lives of children and young people.
Do I need to be married to become a foster carer?
No, you do not need to be married or living with someone. However, you might want to give some thought about the support network you have and who you could turn to for ongoing, practical support.
Will my sexuality affect me becoming a foster carer?
Absolutely not! If you can support, love and care for a foster child while displaying some of the qualities outlined, we would love to hear from you.
I'm disabled, can I still become a foster carer?
Yes! If you can provide care, love, and support for a foster child then we would like to hear from you.
I’m single, can I still become a foster carer?
Your relationship status is not prohibitive in terms of becoming a successful foster carer. If you meet the fostering requirements detailed above, we would love to hear from you.
What if I haven’t got children myself?
This isn’t an issue for prospective foster carers and in some cases, not having other children in the placement will benefit the foster child.
What about my age?
We will consider each application individually and take relevant factors into account, including life experience and physical capacity.
Can I foster and still work?
The expectation is that a foster carer can work, however when caring for a baby aged 0 – 2, a carer needs to be at home full time. If your job is flexible and you can work around the child/children’s educational needs, then you could be considered. There are also options of offering respite placements if your work pattern is not as flexible.
What if I have a criminal record?
Having a criminal record does not mean you cannot become a foster carer. If you have a past or current conviction, you must discuss it with the social worker who visits you.
Can I foster if I am a smoker?
We would expect that a smoke-free environment will be provided. We would also encourage and help people who want to foster to give up smoking, not just for the impact on the child’s health but also for the model presented to children and the known impact of smoking.
