What do I need to foster
In reality, the basic criteria for fostering in the UK is generally that you are:
- At least 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom
- Have permanent leave to remain in the UK
From there, your local Compass team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about fostering. Take a look at the common reasons people think they can’t foster, when they absolutely could!
Ultimately you will need to think about whether fostering is the right choice for you and your family. We will be here every step of the way if the answer to that is yes!
Dispelling Common Myths
Many people would love to become foster carers but believe wrongly that they wouldn’t be accepted. Eligibility to foster is actually pretty simple, but here are some of the most common reasons we hear for why people (wrongly) think they cannot foster.
“I would foster but…”
“I’m too old”
Legally there is no upper age limit for fostering. Fostering does require a lot of energy, but providing you are fit and healthy there’s no reason you couldn’t do it. Older carers also often bring invaluable experience to the role.
“I’m LGBT”
Sexuality has no bearing on a person’s ability to be a foster carer. Whatever your sexuality, you just need to be able to offer the warmth, care and stability needed for children and young people.
“I’m a single male”
Both women and men make great foster carers, so being a single male won’t prevent you from fostering. Many of our foster carers are men and they often bring something unique, such as offering a positive male role model for both male and female children.
“I can’t afford to”
Whilst fostering is an incredibly selfless thing to do, it isn’t a charity. At Compass Fostering we pay our carers a generous allowance which takes into account the number and nature of children in your care. Find a detailed breakdown of the payments here. You can also learn about whether it’s possible to foster and work full time or part time here.
“I haven’t had my own children”
Having your own children can give you valuable experience for fostering but it is by no means essential. Our Skills to Foster training that you will undertake during assessment will give you lots of the skills required to be a foster carer.
Compass Fostering always want to bring out the potential in our applicant foster carers rather than look for areas to rule people out. Our carers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences; offering their own unique qualities and skills to look after young people.
For more information on how to become a foster parent, see our comprehensive guide, and if you think you meet our criteria for fostering and can provide a safe and stable home for a child in need, do get in touch! We are happy to take you through any queries you may have about foster care.
