Be ready to open your home and heart to a local child or young person
Whilst there are lots of types of fostering where different levels of care are required, a carer should always have a genuine desire to help a child or young person to thrive.
Be over the age of 21
To become a foster carer with Foster for Plymouth, you must be over the age of 21. If you’re not quite 21 yet, don’t worry because we are always looking for new carers, so we’ll be here when you’re ready! There is no upper age limit to fostering, so whenever you’re ready, we’d love to chat.
Have a spare room in your home
Regardless of your home-owner status, you must have a spare room in your home that is suitable for a child or young person. This is essential for a looked-after child or young person, as having their own room allows them personal privacy and having a space that they don’t have to share can be valuable to them.
You can’t work if you foster
Wrong! Having a career alongside your fostering journey is no problem. We work with our carers to create an arrangement that works for you and suits your needs. Some children and young people require more time and attention, so we always consider your employment status in the matching process.
You have to have your own children first
You don’t need to have had children to become a foster carer, but if you have had children who either still live at home or have fled the nest, this is okay too! With Foster for Plymouth, it is not essential to have experience with children as we provide all of the training you need to be confident in providing foster care.
You have to own your home
Wrong! You don’t need to own your own home to foster. You can be in rented accommodation too. As long as you have a spare room within the home, then you’re good to go!
You have to be married or in a relationship
This is not the case at all. We have plenty of foster carers who are single and foster independently, and we welcome all carers with open arms, regardless of their relationship status.
You can’t foster if you’re LGBTQ+
This is not the case at all. We encourage everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender to get involved with fostering and make a difference in the lives of children and young people!
You can’t foster if you’re too old
Whilst there is a minimum age limit for fostering, there is no upper age limit, so if you’re thinking that fostering could be for you, get in touch. We can talk to you about how you would like to foster and come to an arrangement that suits your lifestyle!
You can’t have pets and foster
Not true! Children and young people can often seek comfort from pets in their foster families! As a part of the assessment process, we will assess your pet’s temperament and behaviour to ensure that everyone stays safe, but generally, having a pet is not an issue.
You can’t foster with a disability
This is not the case at all! Having a disability is not an issue when applying to become a foster carer. Our assessment process is mainly interested in whether you can provide the levels of care required, so having a disability wouldn’t hinder this. We support all of our carers, and if there is something we can do to support you fostering with a disability, that’s no problem at all.
You can’t foster if you have your own children living at home
Having children living at home is no problem, and many families foster alongside looking after their own children! Children of foster carers are valued in the fostering community as they provide such valuable experience to looked-after children, often teaching them new skills and house rules and giving them valuable experiences they may not have had before.
Join in on one of our fostering events
Fostering EventsWe always hear lovely feedback from our foster carers’ children, and they’re always welcome to attend our events and relevant training to better their understanding and receive support if needed.
