Deciding to foster is a huge decision and you are bound to have plenty of questions. It may even be that you know know what to ask! Not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of our most commonly asked foster care questions and answers.
We also have a range of resources in our Fostering Infocentre, which cover a range of topics from caring for children, to mental health, to types of fostering.
What are the criteria for becoming a foster carer?
We ask all our applicants to meet these basic criteria to be considered for fostering…
Can I foster if I’m LGBT+?
Yes – sexual orientation has no bearing on a person’s ability to be a foster carer.
How much do foster parents get paid?
Compass average a foster care allowance of £370 for every child per…
What is the difference between adoption and fostering?
The main difference between adoption and foster care is a legal one. An adoption order…
Can I foster if I live with lodgers/non-family members?
Yes, if you give notice on your lodger prior to completion of the assessment process…
How long does it take to become a foster carer?
Generally, we aim to get people through the process in about 4 months…
Can you choose what age you foster?
We ask that all of our carers go for approval of 0-18’s but you will…
Local Authorities v Agencies: What’s the difference?
Unfortunately, the number of children who become looked after far exceeds…
Can you travel internationally with a foster child?
When you bring a foster child or young person into your home, they’ll quickly become part of your family…
What happens after my initial enquiry?
You will be contacted over the phone over the next couple of days and will be…
Can a foster child share a bedroom?
While foster children usually need their own room, there is one potential exception…
Will fostering affect my children?
Fostering impacts on the whole family and will affect your children, but we’ve…
What age does foster care stop?
From the age of 16 we will work together to build a plan to successfully leave care.
Can you foster a child with a criminal record?
Not necessarily. We assess each case individually to find out…
Can you be a foster parent if you’re single?
Any adult can foster as long as they can demonstrate they have time, emotional space, reasonable room…
Are foster carers classed as self employed?
Foster carers are considered self-employed, so are responsible for paying their own taxes….
Can I foster and work full time?
Whilst this is sometimes possible, we do ask you to be flexible with…
Do you need a driving license to foster?
Not having a UK driving license won’t directly hinder you from fostering, however there are some things we need to consider…
Can you foster if you smoke?
Yes, but there will be restrictions. It’s vitally important that…
What are the national minimum standards for foster care?
The fostering national minimum standards are set out by the UK government, and provide important guidelines…
Can you foster if you have a dog?
Yes! Pets can be a great addition to the foster family, as long as they’re suitable and not on the banned animal list…
Can you foster if you rent?
Many people foster whilst living in rented accommodation, you just need to make sure you get consent from your landlord or agent.
Do you have to have a spare bedroom to foster?
This is one requirement that is mandatory. You will not be able to start the application process until you have a room available.
Didn’t find the answer you were looking for in our foster care questions and answers? You can call us on 0800 566 8317 and we would be happy to answer any other questions you may have about fostering with Compass.
