Fostering – Patient Information
Created by Dr Eleanor Gibbs
What is fostering?
Fostering provides care and support for children under the care of the local authority, when they are not able with relatives. Fostering can be on a short term basis, i.e. for a few days or a weekend, or on a long term basis, sometimes for many years.
Why consider fostering?
Fostering a child can be very rewarding as it gives the opportunity to positively enrich children from unstable backgrounds, providing a supportive and family environment. In the UK, foster carers are given opportunities for professional development through training courses, as well as support and financial allowance.
How to arrange fostering?
To qualify to be a foster carer, you need to be over 21 years old, have a spare room and pass an enhanced DBS check. Potential carers are assessed through interviews and references from contacts in your every day life. Children are usually placed with foster carers in their local area to reduce disruption.
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